T.I. has admitted that he “never wanted” his children to become entertainers, despite a number of them following in his footsteps.
In an interview on Arian Simone’s Fearlessly Living podcast, the “What You Know” rapper said he believes the world needs more Black people in worthwhile professions to help cure society’s ills.
“I never really wanted them involved,” he said. “I just know how much treachery, how much betrayal and how much of the dark side that exists in this, and I never wanted to expose them to that.
“I wanted one of my kids to dive into real estate. Also I think it’s not enough lawyers, doctors, engineers, architects … coming from our households. We got a thousand rappers, producers, DJs, models, actors — not that there’s anything wrong with any of this.
“But for us to evolve the way that I envision us evolving, I just feel like we need more Thurgood Marshalls, we need more Ben Crumps. We need more than just entertainment. We can’t just entertain our way out of the slump that we’re in.”
Watch his comments at the 16:18 mark below.
It’s worth noting that many of T.I.’s children are actually already in (or entering) the entertainment industry. His sons Domani and Messiah are up-and-coming musicians, while his 7-year-old daughter Heiress is a budding singer.
The rapper’s 19-year-old son King Harris is also a rapper who has made headlines in recent years for various controversies outside of music.
One astute Instagram commenter highlighted this contradiction, writing: “The moment they were a part of their reality shows it over. It’s two types of celebrity parents; those shield their kids from the spotlight and those who puts them center stage.”
The Harris kids were featured in the reality show T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle, which ran on VH1 for six seasons.
Regardless of T.I.’s desires for his children, there’s no denying that they’ve been in the spotlight a lot recently — and not always for the right reasons.
Domani recently defended King against the onslaught of bad press his younger brother has received, namely the viral video of him violently arguing with his father T.I. and mother Tameka “Tiny” Harris.
“I think everything King is trying to say is coming off … he’s using the wrong words,” Domani said on The Baller Alert Show. “What was on TV was not what actually happened. And I think he’s trying to say that because people are trying to treat him differently.”
He continued: “I don’t think he’s out here just saying it out of the blue. We’re all livin’ our own lives. He’s got his own thing going on. I don’t know what be goin’ on with him.”
No, we do not “need” more witches and liars of ANY ethnicity. We need less of all of these liars. Salaam/Peace/Shalom
This is true. But it takes zero effort to tat your body up, sag your pants and mumble cat in that hat raps. Or to be half naked while shaking ass. Takes no brains to turn tricks or sell crack to your own people either. Turns out earning a living and being a decent person is hard! Who knew?!
man shut the fuck up. you can’t do any of that on here talking like a clown. if it was so easy to be an entertainer and rapper everyone would be it. There’s lots of black doctors and lawyers as well. Need black entertainers to use them.
U are 100% RIGHT @Gem Lord and fuck the idiots who can’t see that. And no, not everyone would be a rapper/ entertainer. When your parents are in the business the hard work that regular people have to do is a lot easier for kids with the connections. And it would be nice if talent had to meet a higher standard.
Well thanks to social media being a lawyer, a doctor, an engineer, etc. is not trendy as being a rapper or a baller who hangs with other entertainers and fxcks video vixens and models.
We DEFINITELY don’t need more lawyers! Scre lawyers. And doctors… issue I have with them is they’re trained by corporations, and support a system of profit for health. I’m not against making money… but I’m against the fact that it’s illegal to heal people unless you go to their university. Illegal unless you prescribe their drugs. I understand the dangers of an unregulated market as well, but doctors are quick to prescribe to corporate talking points for health. “Cocconut oil bad, fats bad, sugar? Well, soda companies paid us off, so we’re bot discussing sugar… covid Vax? 100% safe and effective! If you get vaxxed you can’t catch it! Oh wait, you can catch it but can’t spread it! We’ll, you can catch and spread it, but you’re less likely… maybe”.
FACTS!!! COVID was the elite’s latest heist. Back to TI, that f@g lost me at Benjamin Crump
It doesn’t matter what race it is, we need more doctors and lawyers in general in this world.
Yeah he right