Entertainment Music The 25 Best T.I. Songs of All Time Share PINTEREST Email Print Roy Rochlin / Getty Images Music Rap & Hip Hop Top Picks Basics Rock Music Pop Music Alternative Music Classical Music Country Music Folk Music Rhythm & Blues World Music Punk Music Heavy Metal Jazz Latin Music Oldies Learn More By Aaron McKrell Aaron McKrell is a music writer who covers hip hop music and culture for outlets such as Hip Hop DX. our editorial process Aaron McKrell Updated April 18, 2018 For the last dozen years or so, T.I. has been one of the most prominent voices in hip hop. Whether or not you agree that he's the "King of the South," there is no denying his excellent catalog. From street anthems to smooth crossover joints, there hasn't been much Tip hasn't been willing to touch - and he's made plenty of great songs along the way. So, without further ado, here are the 25 best T.I. Songs of all time. 25 of 25 "You Ain't Missin' Nothing" On the penultimate track of "Paper Trail," T.I. offers chin-upexpressions to those locked up, while acknowledging he's headed there,too. 24 of 25 "Be Better Than Me" This joint finds Tip taking a timeout from trappin' to let kids knowthat this life isn't for them. Think Charles Barkley's "I Am Not aRole Model" commercial, only with organs and reflective 16s. 23 of 25 "Da Dopeman" On this gem from "T.I. Vs. T.I.P.," Tip schools a young dope boy aboutthe pitfalls of trapping. Between the dramatic production and Tip'sScarface-esque storytelling, "Da Dopeman" is the rapper at his mostcinematic. 22 of 25 "Bezzle" A southern rap head's dream, "Bezzle" finds T.I. linking up with Bun Band 8ball & MJG for this 10-toes-down scorcher that burned it up justlike in Waco, Texas. 21 of 25 "No Matter What" Recorded while T.I. was on house arrest and potentially facing yearsin prison for weapons charges, "No Matter What" showcases the rapper's never-give-up attitude: Rhymes like "Even when winning's illogical, losing's still far from optional," could pick up even the mostpessimistic of Debbie-downers. The king lived on. 20 of 25 "I'm Illy" One of the misguided knocks on southern hip hop is that it's lackingin the lyrics department. With "I'm Illy," T.I. turned that theory onits head, blacking out with rhymes like, "The bullsh*t I'm addressingcheck up on some next level sh*t/Never been f*cked in the game, I'mcelibate" to prove yet again that he was more than smooth hooks andtough talk. 19 of 25 "Dead and Gone" While this song is diminished a little bit by the fact that Tip wentback to being "trouble man," this album closer from "Paper Trail" isnonetheless a powerful reflection on a turbulent life. Kudos to JustinTimberlake for his strong, emotional vocals. 18 of 25 "Motivation" "Tha King" was Urban Legend''s uptempo opener, but "Motivation," withit's cold-as-ice rhymes and methodical woodwinds, is the track that has weight-lifters maxing out and treadmill jockeys amping up their speed. 17 of 25 "Bankhead" It's not groundbreaking, and it's not one of T.I.'s biggest hits. But"Bankhead" is a delightful ride around T.I.'s old stomping grounds,complete with cold verses from P$C and a triumphant beat courtesy ofDJ Toomp. 16 of 25 "Goodlife" Perhaps T.I.'s first crowning achievement in grown-man rap, "Goodlife"finds him waxing thoughtfully over soulful production about the lifeof crime he left behind, and the fruits of the decision he made to go legit. Pharrell on the hook is a reminder of the impeccable chemistry the two share, while Common drops in for a cool 16. 15 of 25 "I Still Love You" While he's one of the most macho rappers around, T.I. is a man withvulnerabilities just like everyone else. "I Still Love You" finds therapper at his most nakedly honest, as he admits his shortcomings tohis baby's mama and daughter, and gets closure on an at-times troubled relationship with his pops. 14 of 25 "Live Your Life" When "Live Your Life" dropped, T.I. was a man who had lived a long 28years. Naturally, he had some advice to give, which adds stark maturity to the verses on this joint. But it was the uplifting production andinspiring vocals from Rihanna that helped make "Live Your Life" Tip'ssecond solo No. 1 song. 13 of 25 "Doin' My Job" In a recent look-back piece on "Trap Muzik" by Complex, Tip referredto "Doin' My Job" as his favorite song from his catalog. It's easy tosee why: "Doin' My Job" is straight from the heart, with T.I. calmlyimploring the general public to show empathy to dope boys. Standoutlyrics: "Our options are few, it's hell in high school, when you'rehelping with the rent, lights, and the gas bill, too/So before you gojudging us, lovin' us won't hurt/You're under 25, stayin' alive's hardwork." 12 of 25 "ASAP" While it wasn't as popular as other Urban Legend standouts like "U Don't Know Me" and "Bring Em Out," "ASAP" is T.I. at his most methodically aggressive. The menacing beat is the perfect backdrop for his rhymes, which are sizzling enough to melt a snowman at the North Pole. 11 of 25 "T.I. vs. T.I.P." Although the concept album based on this gem from "Trap Muzik" wasmediocre, this original examination of the angel and devil on CliffordHarris' shoulders is raw, humorous, and starkly honest. T.I. tries tokeep T.I.P. focused, but just when you think the latter finally getsit, he goes back to his Mary Jane. The dilemma lived on. 10 of 25 "Let's Get Away" Perhaps the smoothest joint he's ever recorded, "Let's Get Away" isjust as suited for a nighttime cruise as it is for some panty-droppingaction. Jazze Pha's hook is silky, but it's Tip's playful rhymes thatmake the song. 09 of 25 "Top Back" Is there a better song to get a speeding ticket to? This joint fromKing will have kids peeling back their sun roofs and womenflirting with cops to avoid points on their license. T.I. rides MannieFresh's triumphant beat with steel-toed rhymes, and the result is soalluring that T.I. couldn't resist getting together with B.G., BigKuntry King, Young Dro and Young Jeezy for a lively "Top Back" remix. 08 of 25 "Never Scared" Prior to "Never Scared," T.I. was an arrogant kid with the audacity tocall himself "King of the South." After it, he was a forced to bereckoned with. Between his hoarse delivery and frostbitten lines like,"Hope for the best but I don't think he gon' make it/Not the way hewas shiverin' and shakin' on the pavement," T.I. breezed by fellowguest Killer Mike and ethered Bone Crusher on his own track. Tip maynever have been scared, but upon hearing this song, it's likely he hadother rappers shaking in their oversized jerseys. 07 of 25 "U Don't Know Me" Frustrated by the pitfalls of fame, T.I. released this song warningpedestrians to keep their distance and competition to run for cover.Many fame songs resort to a "poor me" rhetoric, but Tip was moreenraged than self-pitying. As hard as the lyrics were, the beat waseven harder, with angry synths and metal-on-metal knocks to ensure the track will ring in your ears long after it's over. 06 of 25 "Whatever You Like" Purists will probably hate that this song is ranked so high, butlet's be honest: "Whatever You Like" remarkably showcases Tip'sunderrated ability to crossover to new audiences without losing hisstreet cred. "Whatever You Like" is a melodic triumph with catchylyrics, an infectious hook, and delightful production. It also gaveTip his first solo Top 40 No. 1. 05 of 25 "24s" Perhaps no song in Tip's catalog does a better job showcasing hisability to paint a picture: "We in a drop-top Chevy with the roof wideopen/my patna's lookin' at me to see if my eyes open/'cause I've beendrinkin' and I've been smoking/I'm flyin' down 285, but I'm focused!"Tip's high-pitched delivery and strong-armed rhymes, coupled with acontagious hook and hum-worthy production, make this one of T.I.'sgreatest songs ever. Dope boy anthem, indeed. 04 of 25 "Live in the Sky" With aggressive songs like "What You Know" and "I'm Talkin'to You" on "King," T.I. kept things balanced by including the heartfelt "Live in the Sky." But the ode to fallen friends is no obligatory gimmick;according to Tip, he shed tears while writing this song. Add amelancholy piano loop and a soulful Jamie Foxx hook, and you've got aclear winner. 03 of 25 "Bring Em Out" It's 2004. Jay-Z has just "retired" from rap, and the Pharrell-dubbed"Jay-Z of the South" is fresh out of jail. What better way for T.I. tomake a run at the throne than with a song flipping a Jay bar to makeJigga his hype man? Tip did just that, brilliantly utilizing a linefrom "What More Can I Say" and proceeding to get it popping with agangsta party anthem. Swizz Beatz turns in a bouncy beat to add to thehype, ensuring that each year a slew of ballplayers choose "Bring EmOut" to be played as they step up to the plate. 02 of 25 "What You Know" More than just a companion piece to the feature film "ATL," "What YouKnow" is T.I.'s rounding of the bases after the grand slam of thethree years preceding King. Slowly but surely, Tip asserts hisdominance in southern rap over a synth-heavy beat courtesy of DJToomp. For the next six months, the Kang had everyone asking "What you know about that?" Truly a crowning moment. 01 of 25 "Rubberband Man" In the midst of all of "Trap Muzik's" aggression, Tip made sure toinclude the bouncy "Rubberband Man" featuring sing-songy vocals andthick drums that backed T.I.'s swaggering lines and memorable hook."Rubberband Man" is Tip in his essence: edgy, but with crossoverappeal and charisma to boot. From dope boy talk to showing fans love, this song is the quintessential T.I. record. Royal salute!