Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr., better known by his stage name T.I., was born on September 25, 1980, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Violeta Morgan and Clifford "Buddy" Harris, Sr. He is also affectionately referred to as T.I.P. and "Rubberband Man".
T.I. hails from the gritty streets of Westside Bankhead Zone 1 in Atlanta, a place that would later serve as the inspiration for much of his music. His original stage name, T.I.P., originated from his childhood nickname "Tip", which was bestowed upon him by his grandfather.
As he grew older, T.I. would later change his stage name to simply T.I., out of respect for his label mate Q-Tip. This move would ultimately prove to be a wise one, as he would go on to establish himself as one of the greatest and most successful MCs in the rap genre during the early 2000s.
T.I.'s philanthropic efforts have been just as impressive as his musical accomplishments. He has been actively involved in various community outreach programs, including Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and working with troubled youths at the Paulding Detention Center in Atlanta.
In addition to his musical talents, T.I. has also made a name for himself in the film industry. He has appeared in a number of successful movies, including ATL (2006) and American Gangster (2007),alongside the legendary Denzel Washington.
