T.I. signs with Roc Nation, becomes co-owner of Tidal
Atlanta rapper and actor T.I. has consolidated his association with Jay-Z with a double announcement this week.
He has signed a distribution deal with Roc Nation for his upcoming album Da Dime Trap, through his own label Grand Hustle Records). He has also become a co-owner of the Tidal music streaming service.
The announcement was made during a streamed Tidal X: TIP pop-up all-hits concert in an Atlanta mall, where he was joined by Young Thug and Young Dro.
2016 seems a strong indication of his return to action with his music and acting.
His next album is a return to the trap sound he pioneered (along with Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane) particularly on the Trap Muzik album.
The Grammy-winning rapper has been without a major label since leaving Columbia/ Sony Music Entertainment after his ninth studio album Paperwork in October 2014. Roc Nation is distributed by Universal Music Group.
Roc Nation is T.I.s fourth label. His first was in 1999 with LaFace / Arista but he was dropped after lukewarm sales for his debut album I’m Serious in 2001. He then headed to Atlantic where he set up Grand Hustle and had a run of hits with Trap Muzik (2003), Urban Legend (2004), King (2006), T.I. vs. T.I.P. (2007), Paper Trail (2008), No Mercy (2010) and Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head (2012). After that he went to Columbia for Paperwork (2014).
The King Of The South is now the 19th part-owner of Tidal. He joins the likes of Jay Z, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Daft Punk, Jack White, Madonna, Arcade Fire, Alicia Keys, Usher, Chris Martin, Calvin Harris, deadmau5, Jason Aldean and J. Cole and Lil Wayne.
After its relaunch last March, it built up to 1 million users by September and available in 31 countries.
Tidal will have exclusive streaming rights to Tip’s upcoming releases, including the video for new single Money Talk this week. It’s had major exclusives, including Rihanna’s Anti and Kanye West’s The Life Of Pablo.
In terms of T.I.’s acting career, he features in the History Channel’s May remake of Roots, and a starring role in the movie Sleepless Night with Jamie Foxx and Gabrielle Union.
The sixth season of his VH1 reality show, T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle is expected to air this northern spring
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