T.I.'s fourth studio album, King, has turned 20, and in a conversation with Billboard, he reflected on how quickly time has passed.
“When I think about 2006, I think that it’s crazy that it’s 20 years ago,” he said. "It’s wild to think that so much has happened in what feels like such a short period of time."
He remembers juggling the album's recording with filming the movie ATL. "One thing I can recall more than anything was recording after getting off the set from ATL," he said. "Having long skate practice days and long days on set shooting and then having to go record."
Despite wanting to deliver, T.I. said he never felt the need to prove himself. "I don’t really need validation from humans. My blessings come from God," he said of the album, which he clarified was named after his son King Harris. "I say I’m the s*** because all it takes is me and God to say I am."
King became T.I.'s first #1 album on the Billboard 200. "I felt phenomenal about it. It was a surreal moment [for me]," he recalled.
At the time, he believed that was his peak, but he has since changed his perspective. “Right now is [my peak]," he said. "Right now, for me to go away and take a hiatus for so long and re-establish myself the way [I’ve] done, that to me feels special."
Looking ahead to his final album, Kill the King, T.I. said it's "heavy on the self-affirmations," much like King was.
"In my conversation, I maintain an extreme level of humility. In my songs, I do not," he added. "The glory should go to God; I’m just a vessel. It’s his show and I’m just acting in it. At the same time, can’t nobody f*** with me."