5 rappers who could beat T.I. in a music battle

OPINION: The Grammy-winning rapper said that no other rapper can “f– with me” when it comes to music. TheGrio found five that can, have, and do.

Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris has secured his place in hip hop history. He has accumulated five platinum albums, two gold albums, 19 Grammy nominations and three wins, and 36 Top 20 Billboard rap singles as both the lead and featured rapper, including seven number ones.

While T.I.’s work certainly speaks for itself, he still feels the need to impose his musical and lyrical superiority over all other rappers out there. Over the holiday weekend, the “Rubberband Man” rapper took to social media to declare his dominance.

“Motherf—–s can’t f— with me in no way, shape, form, or fashion when it comes to doing no music, man,” T.I. said. While he acknowledged that outside projects over the years have caused him to put out music less and less as he gets older, from acting in films to building low-income housing in Georgia, T.I. insists no one can best him –except maybe the very top of the line contemporary MC’s.

“When it comes to getting behind that motherf— mic, n—, putting some s— to music? Ain’t nobody fucking with me, n—. None of ’em.”

T.I. even went as far as naming names.

“Jay and Nas, you need to bring them, bring them, n—,” he said. “That who you need. Jay, Nas, Wayne, Ye…n—, they who you need. Bring them. Pusha-T. Yeah, all them. They who you need. Keep trying to god— throw my name in the circle, in the mix…ain’t nobody fucking me, n—.”

While self-confidence is an important part of being an effective MC and his aforementioned credentials are enviable, there are plenty of rappers who have, and can, put T.I. in the corner.

Now, this isn’t to put him down. Not only do his numbers prove that he’s among the most successful rappers of the early 21st century, but his distinctive Southern drawl and the way he was able to lay the groundwork for trap music must not be ignored.

That said, theGrio presents the five rappers that can defeat T.I. head to head.

*This list excludes the rappers T.I. personally mentioned: Jay-Z, Nas, Kanye West, Pusha T, and Lil Wayne.*

KILLER MIKE

Straight out of the Dungeon Family, Killer Mike has put in incredible work, first as a feature killer in the early 2000s, with righteously indignant solo albums and a successful partnership with rapper/producer El-P as Run The Jewels. T.I.’s flow may be more dynamic than Mike’s, but Mike’s lyrical prowess and delivery and his ability to handle various beats puts him above T.I.

LUDACRIS