A new preview off Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head, T.I. reels in A$AP Rocky for a cut that talks about the drug game. Pretty real perspectives on this one and a solid collab. It won't be on my top tier of tracks on Trouble Man after hearing the album here in Chicago the other night, but for others, I know it will be. Check it out.
T.I. talking with Julian On Da Radio (left) and all smiles with Srirachana (right)
Talk about a great day... yesterday, we arrived at the classy Waldorf Astoria Hotel in downtown Chicago, expecting to interview T.I.. In came the King Of The South to a 16th floor hotel room where we, and the good people at Consequence of Sound, were set up to conduct an interview surrounding the upcoming release of Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head.
Julian On Da Radio got some great answers from Tip that we can't wait to share later today (including an entertaining new segment) so more on that later. After the interview, T.I. had to rush to his next obligation on his promo run here in Chicago, but graciously said thank you and goodbye to each and every one of us on the way out (he was really appreciative with us throughout).
Just outside the hotel room, T.I. is about to enter the elevator and as the doors open... out comes Marlon Wayans. Wait... what? Random.
Both stars were surprised to see each other, asked what they were doing in Chicago, and T.I. invited Marlon to come through to his listening party later that night. Marlon was just wrapping up some interviews of his own literally down the hall for his upcoming movie A Haunted House (which looks like it'll be hilarious), but unfortunately for Tip, was headed straight to the airport. They connected though for the future and after one classic T.I. salute to everyone, he was on his way out.
In the same hallway a short time later, we introduced ourselves to Marlon, made some small talk (for example: me telling him how The 6th Man was my sh*t back in the day... and by back in the day I really meant, everyday... to which a surprised Marlon was thankful for) and took a series of cool photos seen below. For those who are unaware of the awesomeness of quite possibly the greatest basketball movie ever made, you're welcome. A&K all the way!
Julian On Da Radio, Srirachana, Marlon Wayans, Sgt. Tibs, & Chris Shields
Julian On Da Radio, Srirachana, Marlon Wayans, Sgt. Tibs, & Stan Perry
As you can now see, Srirachana has a couple of adorable couple photos with two universally known entertainers in a matter of minutes. And really, the whole experience was a trip for all of us, with Marlon coming up to our floor out of nowhere, right after having the type of 1-on-1 access we just had with Tip.
After we gathered ourselves and transferred our focus toward food, we made our way back to the office to do some work before venturing over to CRC Studios for the private listening party for T.I.'s Trouble Man album. I'll have more specific commentary on the album when we post the interview, but in brief, Tip is not messin' around with this one. Really lookin' forward to sitting down with the album next Tuesday. And speaking of Really, Really Doe was one of the many familiar faces we caught up with at the party, and it's exciting to hear what he and some others in the building have coming up next.
Listening to @Tip's new album with @ReallyDoeChi - #TroubleMan sounding real good... 12.18
Chris Shields, FaShoDoe, Really Doe, & Sgt. Tibs
So to conclude, I straight up love 'small world' stories and this one is one of my all-time *TIBS FAVS. It's a nice validation that nothing is coincedence. And to think of the day from a bird's eye perspective, it's truly an experience in itself to view all of the experiences that unfolded.
This wasn't our picture. Just Marlon Wayans tweeting when he got to the airport, "Gettin my Pacquiao on at the airport... Look at the white folks reactions though... Ha".
In a double dose of T.I. tidbits today, he first reveals the new artwork for the next single off Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head - and it'll be for the Cee-Lo Green featured "Hello", as you can see above.
He also talks about the addition of the phrase Heavy Is The Head in this new interview below, also noting the reason for its addition. It's because, as with any blockbuster movie, he leaves room for a sequel. The sequel album he's planning will be titled, Trouble Man: He Who Wears The Crown.
Be sure to pick up Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head in stores December 18th. More from T.I.P. to come until then...
Last week at New Era's downtown flagship store in Chicago, we sat down with Big Boijust before getting an exclusive listen to his upcoming album, 'Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumors'!
In a collaborative video with our friends at Rap Genius, GY312 talks to Big Boi about how personal the album is to him - find out how the title is derived from the ATL emcee's grandma. We also get a genuine reaction from Big Boi about the creative GIF-style artwork for the album, the fun behind his bowling name (yup, Big Boi bowls in a league every Wednesday with his studio mates), and last but not least, a lyric from "In The A" is officially verified for Rap Genius. Catch the line in a slick graphic in the video and then hear the song for yourself here.
Lastly, catch a glimpse of the listening party itself with footage of the happenings at New Era, including a sneak peak at how the album monumentally starts off at the very end of the video. Other tracks to look out for: the fast-paced flows on the B.o.B collab "Shoes For Running", another Sleepy Brown feature that connects in "The Thickets", and (released earlier today) "She Hates Me" featuring Kid Cudi. The album has an impressive variety of sounds and I can't wait to sit down with it myself on December 11th.
One last shoutout to Rap Genius and GY312 as the groove maker just moved to NYC this weekend to build with RG. Follow 'em both closely for more major moves to come. Groove!
