T.I. IS FREE!!!

It's been a while since we got a featured interview from T.I. in the blogosphere, and finally we get some music with a few words about a new album.  Here is the new song T.I. released Monday along with some news articles for fans to read:



Rapbasement Article: Click Here
HipHopDX Article: Click Here

Behind The Music: Lil Wayne, TI, 50 Cent

VH1 is about to go off in some ratings with these new episodes of Behind the Music. Some of the biggest rappers will be involved in this music documentary, and one of the biggest stars right now will be kicking it off. Many of us in the Hip Hop world know the stories behind these men, but it will be interesting to watch regardless. To kick off the season premiere, Lil Wayne will be the first artist documented, and followed by a slew of celebrities from there on out. I can't wait!!!

T.I. & Wayne Go Behind The Music | T.I. | Rap Basement

T.I. Get's Married

All I gotta say is Tiny is one lucky chick, and I hope everything goes ok for T.I. while he is locked up. Congratulations to both, and may they keep this Hip Hop marriage intact forever.

T.I. Gets Married To Longtime Girlfriend | T.I. | Rap Basement

T.I. Prison Term 60 Days?

Word from everywhere is that rapper T.I. will only be getting 2 months jail time for all the trouble he got into last year. The multi-platinum rapper will get this reduced sentence compared to a one year deal that he was supposed to get earlier. Is it me or is something going on behind the scenes that we don't know about.....

Article: Click Here

Eminem Asks for Help

While Eminem was having his struggles he turned to a friend for advice. This friend was not Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, any D-12 member, or figure on his label. The person who Eminem turned to for advice was Elton John. Now back in the day Eminem was involved in some controversy when it came to homosexuals, and in that time Elton John along with Eminem performed a song together. From that day onward both have been friends, and it is good to hear that they even support each other in other terms than just music. As a person Elton John gave Eminem some help, and as we can see the rapper is basically back into form. In this interview however, it is stated that Eminem also spoke to rapper T.I. several times. To hear about a big rapper helping another rapper in troubled times is another fact that has been missing in the Hip Hop community. What I found interesting about this is that both men kept it a secret. Personal topics should never be discussed as a platform for media attention, especially if it isn't your personal topic to discuss. Here is the rest of the information from this interview that I read on HipHopDx. Oh yeah, Eminem also listens to Black Milk.

Eminem Says Elton John Helped Him Get Sober | Hip Hop News > HipHopDX.com

TI & Ja Rule March for Anti-Gun Rally in NYC

If I was a biased blogger then I would say Ja Rule sucks, and Rick Ross is gay, but honestly 50 Cent isn't paying me nothin so I ain't choosing sides. On a real note though, Ja Rule, TI, Al Sharpton, and others marched for a rally in memory of two youngsters whose deaths were related to gun violence. Personally I feel we have a right to bear arms but I do wonder to what extent. I don't want people to use weapons to cause harm unless harm is being caused on them. Example: Someone decides to break in my house and rob me, then I might want to use that weapon, but not to kill, just to allow myself enough time to keep myself safe. Honestly though there is never a perfect situation when there is danger, so weapons in general might just be best banned. With that said, to see some gangster rappers show support on non violence is a major plus. Known for there hardcore lyrics and also there soft sides, Ja and TI have done a good thing here. TI who was supposed to be going to jail a while ago still is out doing good things, and honestly I can only judge his work by what he does after he gets released. Ja Rule on the other hand looks like he needed the publicity but he also seems like he has grown up some. I do believe that men in there 30's should be more educated on how the world works, and maybe Ja has reached that point with most things. As the WWE I mean "Hip Hop" world move forward, to see grown men show support for peace is great news. As rappers this is something that can be hated on or supported for, but those who hate are probably frontin. I don't mind the lyrics on guns, drugs, etc. as long as it is told in a way of a witness, or as a story of someones life. When the main message is the same and that is peace, then I'm 100% ok with the music. Good look for Hip Hop indeed.

Article: Click Here

Jim Jones - We Fly High (remix)

Another throwback joint, and Jim Jones's only hit. Hopefully Jim get's some more good music, since he is still somewhat relevant to hip hop.

Best Rapper Alive: Total Albums & US Sales

So for my first post I will compare record sales and total albums. I have decided to use Wikipedia as my source for Discography on each artist. What I will list on this post is the rapper's name, number of album's, and total approximate US sales. Also, I will not be posting any collaboration albums, just individual albums.

• Jay Z - Total Albums: 10, Total Sales: 23 Million Albums (RIAA)
• T.I. - Total Albums: 6, Total Sales: 7.5 Million Albums (RIAA)
• Lil Wayne - Total Albums: 6, Total Sales: 9.3 Million Albums (RIAA)
• Eminem - Total Albums: 5, Total Sales: 29.5 Million Albums (RIAA)
• The Game - Total Albums: 3, Total Sales: 4.2 Million Albums (RIAA)
• 50 Cent - Total Albums: 3, Total Sales: 14.5 Million Albums (RIAA)
  
• Ludacris - Total Albums: 6, Total Sales: 15 Million Albums (RIAA)
  
• Young Jeezy - Total Albums: 5, Total Sales: 3.6 Million Albums (RIAA)
  
• Bun B - Total Albums: 2, Total Sales: 800k Albums (RIAA)

So after getting all this information together, the rapper with the most total album sales goes to Eminem who has nearly 6 million more sales in the US compared to Jay-Z. Once again these numbers are from the US, so they could be altered on a Worldwide level. So far though The Game, and Bun B do not have the commercial appeal I thought they did, but that could also be because they have the fewest individual albums released compared to the rest. The one exception is 50 cent who because of his first album has some pretty incredible numbers. Young Jeezy on the other hand has dropped 5 cd's which I didn't know about, and that seems like it hurt's his appeal based on just numbers.

Sources:

Jay-Z Discography
T.I. Discography
Lil Wayne Discography
Eminem Discography
The Game Discography
50 Cent Discography
Ludacris Discography
Young Jeezy Discography
Bun B Discography

TI, Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Lil Scrappy ON STAGE TOGETHER!

I know you probably heard the news about this but here is the video. From WSHH and boy is it fun to watch. The ATL hip hop scene is still movin forward, and with TI gone for 1 year I have a good feeling it will be held down very well by some prominent rappers. Oh yeah didn't Outkast say they was coming back, and aren't they from around here?

Rick Ross Disses T.I. - The TRACK!!!!

Earlier this week I posted a video where Ross was dissing TI in an interview. Well now here is the freestyle. TI & 50 cent vs Rick Ross, Oh man Ricky lucky TI goin to jail!

Rick Ross Dissed TI?

Blast from the past in this video, but Ross clearly states TI should not be the king of the south or make that claim. I think Ross was on point in this interview, and I wonder if TI ever acknowledged the rappers before him.

T.I. - Prison, Career, Obstacles, Life

I was reading this article on CNN which asked the question about the implications of jail time on T.I.'s music career. For one, I have followed T.I. for almost six years now and I do know he has had legal issues before, and has succeeded in dealing with being absent in entertainment while handling his legal obligations. So when this article came out I asked myself what position T.I. was in now. The answer is simple, he has a solid cd out in the market which has sold 2 million copies or is reaching that mark, he has a brand which is represented through his artists, and he has features appearing on several other artist's albums. On top of those things, T.I. has a market where his fans are loyal, and he has created that base by being a true person to them through his music. One thing that this man has is charisma and he knows how to use it. The other thing T.I. has is a personality where he allows himself to show himself being vulnerable, humble, thug, educated, and respectable throughout his community. I think T.I. will be just fine.

CNN Article: Click Here

TI & Shawty Lo friends?

Over the weekend TI brought out Shawty Lo on stage during one of his concerts letting us know they are about peace. Here is more information about the show including a video of them together on stage. Let's hope this beef has been squashed because we all know TI could do some damage.

Link: http://www.rapbasement.com/t.i./030908-t.i.-and-shawty-lo-end-beef-performing-together-while-episode-4-of-road-to-redemption-airs.html

TI to teens: Be Careful

Man this guy TI just keeps on being a good guy. TI spoke to kids at a high school about staying in school and staying away from the bad things in life. I know that TI isn't the best of people to follow as a role model, but you have to give him credit for sincerely doing the things he is doing these days. Props TI keep it up!

Article: http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/1415568.html

TI feat Kobe - This is Detox (I'am Hip Hop)

Man another tracked leaked from Detox? Idk but all I know is if these tracks are the scrapped tracks then Dr. Dre really ain't messin around.

Link: http://nahright.com/news/2009/02/20/ti-i-am-hip-hop/

TI feat. Justin Timberlake Dead and Gone

I know this song has been on the buzz for a while, but lets bump this for TI because the man is straight up real talk "Dead and Gone" from the album Paper Trail.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVuv25n13qU

New Track By Dr Dre!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup a new track by the good doctor featuring Nas, and TI. If the features don't scream fire then the track will. Check it through the link www.thisis50.com

Rapper TI, Road to Redemption

I found this interview with TI and Craveonline that I wanted to share. If you don't know, TI has a TV show which will air today on MTV following him while he does his community service. Real man image for TI fo sho

Link: http://www.craveonline.com/articles/music/04653024/tis_road_to_redemption.html