Grits and Eggs Podcast

Episode 128 – Kill The King Ft. T.I.

Release Date: March 10, 2026
Host: Deante’ Kyle
Guest: T.I.

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the artistry, evolution, and personal philosophy of T.I. as he returns to music after a six-year break with "Kill the King," potentially his final album. Deante’ Kyle and T.I. discuss career growth, the transition to comedy, ego and retirement, legacy, collaborations with musical legends, and the ethos behind "killing the king." The conversation is honest, reflective, and charged with stories from T.I.'s journey and the wider context of hip-hop culture.

Main Themes & Discussion Points

1. T.I.’s Evolution: Music, Comedy, and Personal Growth

• Transition Into Comedy

  • T.I. clarifies he’s been doing stand-up for four years, starting January 2022 (02:22).

    "I started comedy January 12, 2022. So I've been four years." — T.I. [02:22]

  • Comedy, for T.I., is a personal pursuit, not for external validation:

    "This is something that I'm doing for me. I'm working it to grow and be good at something else. And you just worry about you being great at the first thing." — T.I. [03:22]

  • He finds comedy therapeutic and a new creative challenge—"very different" and "very therapeutic" (04:09).

    "It brings me peace...to be able to focus on the source of laughter...Comedy is. I'm trying to evoke a positive response from somebody..." — T.I. [04:40]

• Philosophy on Critics and Negative Content

  • Both Deante’ and T.I. discuss the dangers of building reputations by tearing others down, emphasizing positivity and authenticity in creative work:

    "If you build your reputation on shitting on other people, that's the only thing people gonna want to hear from you. And it kind of put a limit on what you could do." — Host [05:38] "You spend all your time trying to tear people down, eventually you'll be torn..." — T.I. [06:48]

2. Return to Music & The Final Album

• Punctuation, Not Disappearance

  • T.I. addresses why he’s making a final album after retirement, describing it as a "punctuation" to his legacy (08:18):

    "You don't just disappear off into the shadows. You have to, you have to put a punctuation at the end, period. Exclamation more." — T.I. [08:19]

• Process and Collaborations

  • Describes working on new music, collaborations with legends like Pharrell, DJ Toomp, Hype Williams, Dr. Dre, Organized Noize, Wayne, Usher, and more (20:46).
  • Reflects on studio stories (especially creating music on yachts with Pharrell) [11:38–12:24].
  • The importance of meaningful connections:

    "So I paused my retirement. But I know what it feel like." — T.I. [08:43]

• Kill The King: Ethos for the Last Album

  • "Kill The King" represents killing the ego—finding peace beyond persona (21:33):

    "It mean kill the ego, man. To kill the ego. Find peace within yourself and not focus so much on the egotistical nature that is associated with...the Persona of T.I." — T.I. [21:33] "In retirement, I now choose where I place my personal space...around people who already understand their value..." — T.I. [22:07]

3. Atlanta Roots & Hip-Hop Legacy

• History in Atlanta

  • Reminisces about creating early music, forming PSC, and community—stories of humble beginnings, authenticity, and friendship (33:09–37:15).
  • Importance of keeping his circle tight and drawing from those who were around “when we just had an idea or a notion or a dream” [33:09].
  • Discusses early influences: Outkast, UGK, 8Ball & MJG, NWA, Jay Z, Pac, Scarface, and more (44:00).

• Architects of Trap & King of the South

  • Conversation about trap music’s roots, “King of the South” title, and the obligation to share lived experiences as “testimony” (17:27–19:07).

    "Most of the shit that I've got myself, you know, was revolving around the King of the south narrative position. The defense of My right to present myself as a king amongst others..." — T.I. [23:32]

  • Humility vs. Braggadocio
    • Hip-hop’s relationship with ego: “humble rap is like mumble rap; this the antithesis of mumble rap.” (28:22)
    • Dissects impact and intent between vulnerability, authenticity, and performance [28:00–29:50]
    • Notable exchange on the lack of “humble rappers” (28:36–29:14).

• Influence on Peers

  • T.I. reflects on how his high standards elevate collaborators—swagger, drive, and setting examples (30:35–32:04).

    "Me expecting the best of myself is an energy that I. I hope becomes infectious, you know?" — T.I. [30:51]

4. Navigating Industry and Legacy

• Traditional vs. Modern Music Rollout

  • T.I. sticks with traditional music promo (magazines, radio, press) because that’s how his core fans connect [48:25–49:55].

    "You don't get new listeners trying to cater to new listeners. You don't do that." — T.I. [50:04]

• Unfinished Business

  • Artists he still wants to work with include Outkast, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and producers Rick Rubin, Jermaine Dupree, Hit-Boy (50:25–53:24).

• Family & Next Generation

  • Legacy as a family business—pride in his children (Damani and King) building their own lanes, blending family dynamic with business and creativity (56:41).

    "I'm just happy to see them follow their passion, you know, Find things that wake them up in the morning that they're excited to work on..." — T.I. [56:53]

5. Community, Conflict, and Responsibility

• Conflict Resolution & Ethics
  • Dealing with rap beefs/skirmishes then and now; protective of family and community:

    "When you get down to it, or none of this shit, man, this shit don't matter...This is about women, children, family, community protection and defense." — T.I. [61:00]

• On Versus and Hip-Hop Drama
  • Regrets when positive things like Verzuz are soured by beef; wants focus on unity and growth (59:05).

6. "Build a Hit Record" Segment (Fun finale)

• Host asks T.I. to build the ultimate hit record (62:24–66:26).
  • T.I.'s choices:
    • Producer: Gamble & Huff
    • 1st verse: Marvin Gaye
    • Hook/Bridge: R. Kelly ("We talking music, right?")
    • 2nd verse: Michael Jackson
    • Host builds his own: Alchemist, Sauce Walker, Future (hook), Young Dro second verse.
  • Discussion on legendary production, unreachable combos, music fantasy league vibes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Comedy and Growth:

  "I already have an arena where I could go and be the shit at something. If I choose to do that...This is something that I'm doing for me." — T.I. [03:10]

• On Critics:

  "You ain't nobody who great at anything got bad to say about me doing comedy. Only who’s still struggling to be great at the first thing..." — T.I. [03:33]

• On Hip-Hop Ego:

  "I'm somewhat of a Nazi moron because I'm arrogant, but I'm humble at the same time." — T.I. [21:38]

• About “King of the South” Legacy:

  "But I'm the one walked in with the people. We all drew the plan...But I walked in with the paper and the pen and say, hey, man, let's draw this out." — T.I. [24:52]

• On Authenticity:

  "You must teach what's been taught." — T.I. [19:13]

• On Focusing on the Core Fanbase:

  "If I know that and that's my consumer, why would I avoid those mediums?" — T.I. [49:08]

• On Community and Responsibility:

  "Everybody got a place and a position in the community. And whatever it is you can do, do it...If you bake pies, then bake one and throw it." — T.I. [58:18, 58:46]

• On Musical Fantasy Draft (“Build a Hit”):

  "I'm going. Marvin Gaye first verse. I'm gonna go Michael Jackson hook and bridge..." — T.I. [64:15]

Key Timestamps of Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------| | 01:26 | T.I. freestyle opens interview | | 02:22 | Transition to comedy; why he started | | 04:40 | Comedy’s therapeutic purpose | | 06:48 | On positivity vs. tearing others down | | 08:18 | T.I. on retirement, punctuation to legacy | | 12:24 | Chart stats, Hype Williams, tying up his run | | 16:14 | On collaborating with Pharrell | | 17:27 | Testimony and inspiration from trap lifestyle | | 21:33 | What "Kill the King" means | | 28:22 | On ego, humble rap, and the genre’s bravado | | 33:09 | Foundation stories, beginnings of PSC | | 44:00 | T.I.'s musical influences | | 48:25 | Why he sticks with traditional promo | | 50:25 | Artists/producers he wishes to collaborate with | | 56:41 | Legacy and family business | | 59:05 | Thoughts on community conflicts & Verzuz | | 62:24 | "Build a Hit Record" game | | 67:36 | PSC Gangsta Grillz single news |

Final Thoughts / Tone

The episode is candid, humorous, and loaded with stories and wisdom from T.I.’s multi-faceted career. Both Deante’ and T.I. riff with natural chemistry — part barbershop talk, part masterclass. T.I. is honest about the challenges and rewards of reinvention, the importance of ego (and letting it go), and the legacy he hopes to leave in music and beyond.

The mood shifts from playful (the "Build a Hit" segment), to earnest (discussion of family and community), to philosophical (killing the ego, legacy), never losing its Southern flavor and straight-shooter wisdom.

[Stream "Let Him Know," “Kill the King” out soon. PSC’s “Straight From the 8” single drops Friday.]

Notable:

• T.I. on "expeditiously" with Deante' coming soon.
• Closing banter highlights community support and authenticity, with love for fans of all backgrounds.