Sony/ATV Music Publishing has today announced it has signed a long-term worldwide deal with Grammy-winning rapper, songwriter and record producer T.I.
The agreement includes his writing share of the
Robin Thicke hit "Blurred Lines", which was the biggest-selling download globally of last year, and all future works, including T.I.'s contributions to brand new studio album "Paperwork".
Martin Bandier, Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO, said: "T.I. is an all-round talent and we are thrilled to be working with him at Sony/ATV. He already has an extensive catalog of hit songs and albums behind him and there is plenty more to come, starting with his new album."
T.I. said: "I'm excited about this partnership and am looking forward to the opportunities that will come of this new venture. Sony/ATV is a world renowned entity and I'm honored to be a part of this family and to be allowed to contribute to its legacy."
Sony/ATV's Shawn
Holiday said: "I am incredibly humbled and excited to be working with T.I. He's one of the premier and most successful artists of this generation. I am thrilled that Sony/ATV will now be part of this exciting new journey."
In his career Atlanta-born T.I. has sold more than 14 million albums and 30 million singles worldwide, while has been recognized with a string of honors including 11 Billboard Awards, nine BET Hip Hop Awards, three Grammy Awards, three BET Awards, two American Music Awards and an
MTV Video Music Award.
Since breaking through more than a decade ago with the album "Trap Muzik", which reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S., he has worked with many of the biggest names in music, including
Mary J. Blige, Eminen,
Jay Z,
Lady Gaga,
Lil Wayne, Rihanna,
Britney Spears,
Justin Timberlake and
Pharrell Williams.
He has to date issued eight studio albums with "King", "T.I. vs T.I.P." and "Paper Trail" all having topped the Billboard 200 chart, while his last studio set "Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head" peaked at No. 2 in 2012.
T.I. has additionally scored more than 50 hits on the Hot 100 either as the main artist or featured act. These include No. 1s with his own singles "Whatever You Like" and "Live Your Life", which featured
Rihanna and further chart-toppers as a featured artist on
Justin Timberlake's "My Love" and
Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines", which also featured
Pharrell Williams.
"Blurred Lines" was the biggest-selling download of 2013 in the U.S. with Nielsen SoundScan recognizing it with 6.5 million sales within the year, while it was also the year's No. 1 in the U.K. and across the world. According to IFPI, it had sold an unrivalled 14.8 million downloads globally by the end of last year.
His new album "Paperwork" includes collaborations with
Iggy Azalea,
Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Usher and
Pharrell Williams, who also serves as executive producer. It was released by Grand Hustle/Columbia Records on October 21 and includes the single "No Mediocre", which features
Iggy Azalea, is produced by
DJ Mustard and has been a Top 10 hit on Billboard's Hot Rap Songs, Rhythmic and Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs charts, while has reached No. 1 at Rhythmic Radio.
"New National Anthem", another track from the album and featuring Skylar Grey, was premiered in August on Soundcloud and achieved 400,000 plays just in its first seven days.
T.I. is also a successful businessman, having co-founded Grand Hustle Records, which has released all but one of his studio albums and also issued albums by acts such as B.o.B.,
Young Dro and Trae Tha Truth, while it signed
Iggy Azalea.
Outside of music he has enjoyed great success as an actor, appearing this year in the hit comedy crime movie "Identity Thief" directed by
Seth Gordon and having a guest starring role in the TV comedy drama "House of Lies". His reality show "T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle" is one of the highest rated shows on
VH1 and has just aired its fourth season.
ABOUT SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING:
Sony/ATV Music Publishing, established in 1995 as a joint venture between Sony and
Michael Jackson, is the world's leading music publisher. Together with
EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV owns or administers around 3 million copyrights including those from such iconic music catalogs like Leiber & Stoller, Mijac Music, Motown and Famous Music. Sony/ATV also controls many of the best known songs ever written like "New York, New York," "Hallelujah," "All You Need Is Love," "You've Got a Friend," "Moon River," "Jailhouse Rock," "The Mission Impossible Theme," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Over the Rainbow," "Stand By Me," "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Singin' in the Rain." In addition, Sony/ATV represents the copyrights of such legendary artists as The Beatles,
Leonard Cohen,
Bob Dylan,
Marvin Gaye,
Michael Jackson,
Carole King, Kraftwerk,
Joni Mitchell,
Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Queen, The Rolling Stones,
Richie Sambora, Sting,
The Supremes,
Wyclef Jean,
Hank Williams and
Stevie Wonder, among others. Its ever-growing list of chart-topping artists, writers and producers includes Akon, Avicii, Calvin Harris,
Jessie J,
Alicia Keys,
Lady Gaga, P!nk, RedOne, Shakira, Ed Sheeran,
Sam Smith, Stargate,
Taylor Swift,
Kanye West and
Pharrell Williams.
Image: Facebook/T.I.
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