T.I., who just released his first significant project since being released from jail in the F*** The City Up mixtape, spoke with the LA Leakers this afternoon about his motivations behind the tape, working with Dr. Dre and more.
The Kang will release his eighth album Trouble Man later this year, but he said wanted to put out the free mixtape as a gift to his core fan base. "The people who was down since I'm Serious, Trap Muzik, Urban Legend— before there was a multi-platinum T.I."
The project features the track "Popped Off" produced by and featuring Dr. Dre, and Tip, who had never worked with the good doctor before, said he hopes the experience was just the beginning.
"Workin with Dre was a check off my bucket list," he said. "I plan and I hope to continue workin' with him a great deal... You're just not gonna get a better producer than that. He hears things a certain way. His ears aint wired the same as ours, his mind don't think like ours do. To be able to put your best work in the hands of the man that can put you where you need to be musically is phenomenal... I'm floored by [the opportunity.]"
T.I. also addressed the possibility of doing a joint album with fellow ATL kingpin Young Jeezy, who's own album TM: 103 hit stores last month. While such a project in in consideration, Tip said he and Jeezy both have other business that needs to be taken care of first.
"We have discussed doing a collaborative album," he said. "Right now we are both very focused on putting Atlanta back on top where it needs to be... first things first."

BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

(Photo: Jeff Daly/PictureGroup)