T.I. is living out a storybook ending as a hip-hop legend.
In June, T.I. released his twelfth and reportedly final studio album, Kill the King. The 18-track project features star-studded collaborations with Usher, Anderson .Paak, Summer Walker, and Jeezy.
In an interview with PEOPLE, T.I. shared that he loves being a family man is his favorite gig.
“It’s just another day at the Black House,” T.I says, “referring to his palatial estate.”
With his wife, Tiny, they share seven children. Zonnique, 30, son Messiah, 26, son Domani, 25, daughter Deyjah, 25, son King, 21, son Major, 18, and daughter Heiress, 10.
Long before he became an iconic rap star, T.I. had eyes for Tiny. He first saw her in the video for Xscape’s 1993 hit single “Just Kickin’ It.”
“I always told myself I was going to get at her when I was a little kid,” he recalled.
T.I. went on to share how he loves having his large family together at once.
“It’s always great when I get all the kids and everybody together at one time. Because when they move out of the house, they have their own lives,” T.I. explained. “They’re doing all their ripping and running.”
When asked why he’s retiring while sounding better than ever, the timing is perfect for the “Bring It Out” rapper.
“Why now? “I’ve gotten everything I prayed for from the game,” T.I. shared.
He also reflected being on the wrong side of the law growing up in Atlanta.
“Around 17, 18, I was really willing to do the most outlandish s—,” he says. “I was on a high-speed chase with civilians.”
“I should have been somewhere reading or writing, learning to play the piano. And I would tell my younger self, ‘Man, focus this time and this attention into something that could better serve you later on in life,” he said. “Because you’re going to need it.’ ”