The Breakfast Club: T.I. On Comedic Therapy, Mt. Rushmore of Southern Hip-Hop, Community Work, Comedy Special & More

Podcast: The Breakfast Club (iHeartPodcasts)
Date: December 15, 2025
Guests: T.I.
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee

Episode Overview

This episode features a deep, energetic, and candid conversation with Southern hip-hop legend T.I. The rapper, actor, entrepreneur, and now stand-up comedian opens up about his journey into comedy, the impact of criticism, family, community involvement, hip-hop influence, and the upcoming projects including his comedy special "Cheaper Than Therapy". The tone is humorous yet insightful, blending T.I.’s classic confidence with real talk on success, legacy, and personal growth.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Entering and Embracing Comedy

[09:56]

• T.I. discusses his transition into comedy and the launch of his stand-up special “Cheaper Than Therapy” (out Dec 24, 2025, via tipaintfunny.com).
• He jokes about providing a space for comedy haters to congregate on his website.
• Comedy initially started as “therapy” for T.I., acting as a coping mechanism for difficult times and public scrutiny.

Notable Quotes:

“Cheaper than Therapy, everybody, man, you can get that tipaintfunny.com... I created a community for you all, a community where the haters can congregate and you can all get together and talk about how funny I'm not.” – T.I. [09:37]

• Comedy gave him perspective and kept him from “trolling on the internet.”
• He credits the haters for fueling his drive, comparing criticism in comedy to his “King of the South” era in rap.

“If people weren’t telling me how much they didn’t want me to do it, I’m real hard headed… It put me in the mind of the King of the South moment… It grew on me and I felt the need to defend my right.” – T.I. [13:47]

2. Criticism, Internet Culture, and Respect for Legends

[05:34] – [08:12]

• T.I. talks about a conversation with his partner Nav, who dismissed KRS-ONE and Rakim’s importance, highlighting generational divides.
• He laments how the internet encourages reckless commentary, no longer buffered by real-life consequences.

“People stop getting hit in the face. That’s what I’m saying—‘cause you can’t hit them.” – T.I. [07:02]

• T.I. and Charlamagne riff on the idea of bringing back accountability for disrespect—just not violence (“normalize getting hit in the face again...not shooting!”).

“If you get hit in the face and you still say it…you hit hard, but still.” – T.I. [08:12]

3. Comedy’s Humbling and Challenging Moments

[25:27] – [35:54]

• T.I. details bombing on stage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn—his first major “booed off” experience as a stand-up—designed more to haze him than outright reject him, he suggests.
• DJ Envy shares his part in trying to save the set by playing T.I. songs, highlighting audience expectations versus performance reality.
• Rather than shrink from criticism, T.I. doubled down on performing, earning a standing ovation with the same set in Atlanta the next day.

“A show where things happen that you didn’t expect...it sharpens you and brings something else out of you.” – T.I. [32:12] “The very next day, I got back on stage and got a standing ovation. The SAME jokes I got booed for up here, I got a standing ovation for on that show.” – T.I. [34:05]

4. Mount Rushmore of Southern Hip-Hop & Legacy

[14:38] – [18:48]

• Charlamagne discusses the debated "Mount Rushmore of the South," noting T.I.’s essential role.
• T.I. expresses humility and gratitude, crediting predecessors and peers, highlighting Scarface, Outkast, and the importance of recognizing groups (e.g., Goody Mob, Wu-Tang) as single entities.
• He rebuffs ideas that later stars (Gucci, Jeezy) wouldn’t exist without him but acknowledges he helped open doors.

“I can’t take credit for the whole thing. I’m just happy that I was able to plant a seed for something that grew to be what it is today.” – T.I. [18:41]

5. Family, Fatherhood, and Fame

[47:50] – [54:37]

• T.I. talks about the impact of reality TV (“Family Hustle”) on his family, describing it as the “most elaborate photo album a father could have.”
• He reflects on fame—how TV “fame” can surpass music in public impact, noting the loyalty and connection audiences have with regular TV characters.

“TV fame, bro, is different...when they sitting in their house watching you on a consistent basis...that’s a different kind of fame.” – T.I. [37:59]

• Discusses young family members' growth (especially King and Demani), generational struggles, and the challenges of judgment in the social media era.

6. Community Work and Social Responsibility

[65:17] – [69:54]

• T.I. outlines his long-standing commitment to affordable housing in Atlanta, highlighting recent achievement: ENTRADA, 143-unit complex with units set aside for homeless youth and retail designed to address food deserts.
• Makes a public call for partners to bring much-needed grocery/pharmacy options to underserved areas.

“Let’s put passion over profit...it will be some phenomenal PR. People, just like they commended me, would be commending you.” – T.I. [68:00]

• Recalls building and renovating homes even before gentrification was on the public radar.

7. Music, Mixtapes, and Artistic Confidence

[46:10] – [77:14]

• T.I. affirms his relevance, work ethic, and confidence as an artist (“can’t nobody fuck with me...live performance, hit for hit, verse for verse, bring them on.”)
• New music teased:
  • DJ Drama x PSC “Gangsta Grillz” project on New Year’s Eve.
  • “Let ‘Em Know” with Pharrell (first single together, out Jan 23, 2026).
  • “Kill the King” album coming soon.
• Commentary on artistic competitiveness and respect for peers, especially regarding hypothetical versus battles (Wayne, Jay-Z, Nas).

8. Relationships, Loyalty, and Giving Back

[61:38] – [64:18]

• T.I. narrates reaching out to Michael Vick the day Vick got out of prison—offering significant financial help while T.I. himself was about to turn himself in.
• He shares how aiding others helps him cope with his own struggles and the importance of loyalty within his circle.

“A lot of times when I’m going through stuff, I take my mind off what I’m going through by trying to help somebody else.” – T.I. [63:25]

9. Control, Content Ownership & Future Projects

[53:21–54:37 & 70:10–72:14]

• T.I. emphasizes the importance of controlling his creative and digital output (comedy, podcasts, family content).
• Notes the successful return of his podcast "Expeditiously," focusing on raw, candid conversations with cultural and political leaders.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (With Timestamps)

• On Comedy & Criticism:

  "I gotta thank the haters...I would not have taken it so seriously if people weren’t telling me how much they didn’t want me to do it." – T.I. [13:47]

• On Internet Culture:

  "People stop getting hit in the face because you can’t hit them. I think we should normalize getting hit in the face again." – T.I. [07:59]

• About His Comedy Journey:

  "A show where things happen that you didn’t expect to happen, it sharpens you and brings something else out of you." – T.I. [32:12]

• On Family and TV Fame:

  "That TV show fame, when they...do that week after week after month after month, that’s a different kind of fame." – T.I. [37:59]

• About Helping Michael Vick:

  "When I’m going through stuff, I take my mind off of what I’m going through by trying to help somebody else." – T.I. [63:25]

• Regarding Hip-Hop Impact:

  "I can’t take credit for the whole thing...I’m just happy that I was able to plant a seed for something that grew to be what it is today." – T.I. [18:41]

• On Legacy and Pride:

  "I have the most elaborate photo album as a father that anyone could have." – T.I. [48:08]

Important Timestamps by Topic

• Comedy & Special Announcement: [08:56] – [09:48]
• Standing Up To Critics / Comedy Bomb Story: [25:27] – [35:54]
• Mt. Rushmore of Southern Hip-Hop / Outkast, Scarface: [14:37] – [18:48]
• Family Dynamics & Impact of Reality TV: [47:50] – [54:37]
• Community Initiatives / ENTRADA Housing: [65:17] – [69:54]
• Discussion of Hip-Hop Legacy vs. Current Artists: [44:07] – [47:02]
• Music Projects & DJ Drama, Pharrell Collaborations: [72:03] – [74:50]
• Podcast Expeditiously Relaunch: [70:14] – [72:14]
• Famous “King of the South” Claim & Reflection [13:47], [44:52]
• Relationship with Michael Vick / Loyalty: [61:38] – [64:18]

Conclusion

The conversation with T.I. is rich in anecdotes, humor, and honest reflection, blending tales of personal and professional evolution with sharp commentary on culture, legacy, and realness. Whether defending his place in the rap canon, embracing the humbling path of comedy, or working for community uplift, T.I. stays true to his principles of authenticity and hustle.

Upcoming:

• Cheaper Than Therapy comedy special (Dec 24, 2025)
• PSC x DJ Drama “Gangsta Grillz” (New Year's Eve)
• Single with Pharrell “Let ‘Em Know” (Jan 23, 2026)
• "Kill the King" album
• More Expeditiously podcast episodes

Final Note:
T.I. maintains both humility and bravado, facing life’s changes with humor and determination:

“God has been good to me...But bottom line, can’t nobody fuck with me—line me up with whoever you got.” [46:05]