T.I. officially denounces his iconic title of King of the South by naming his final album, Kill the King, ending his reign.
TMZ spoke to the “Bring Em Out” rapper about his upcoming album and the meaning behind his last solo project.
The southern rap icon revealed how Mystikal inspired the tagline. He referred to himself as the Prince of the South in 2001 album Tarantula, which helped T.I. to claim the empty throne. T.I. debuted the royal crown on “2 Glock 9’s” track featuring Beanie Sigel. He went on claiming his rule, even naming is his 2006 album King. “That was the beginning of a long road of many challenges, opposition and adversity,” the rapper reflected.
Before claiming the throne, he went to legendary southern rappers such as Outkast, Scarface, Goodie Mob, and others for their blessings.
“Big Boi cautioned me of [the title] back when I was coming onto the scene,” he said. “Big Boi said, ‘It sounds cool. I like it, but understand when you are king you put a big bullseye on your back. You can’t look for no favors. Life is a game of chess, and the name of the game is called Kill The King. That’s what you are setting yourself up for.’ [At the age] I didn’t really think much of it.”
Earlier this year, Tip recalled DJ Drama’s reaction to calling himself the King of the South during an interview with Shannon Sharpe. “[DJ Drama] called me in to freestyle on a mixtape,” he said. “I said King of the South in the freestyle. He kind of raised his head like, ‘Whoa! What is that? What did you say?’ I said, ‘You heard what I said.’”
Twenty years later, T.I. is reflecting on what Big Boi told him. “Looking back on my career and experiences that I endured, I can see what he meant.”
As he readies himself to step down from his acclaimed title, T.I. explains the title of the final album and what it means to him. “Kill the King, to me, is a representation of killing the ego. I feel like the King on the South T.I. Wants to Dethrone Himself as “King of the South” With Final Album is very egotistical,” he said in the video. “It’s a persona that enters the room before I do physically.”
The MC has yet to announce a release date for the upcoming album but seemingly mentioned that he is in the studio with Jermaine Dupri.