Despite record breaking numbers T.I.  feels like an Underdog & explains SLU

You would think that having the number album and single in the country, for a few weeks, would solidify T.I.'s claim has the "King of the South" but in an interview with the Associated Press the rapper says he still feels like an "underdog."

"Nobody has ever given me a win and nobody has ever said, 'T.I., you know he's going to do this thing.' They always (say), 'He's not going to do this much, he's not going to do that good, I don't believe he'll do that well.' So it's always been an uphill battle for me no matter how big I get I'm always the underdog," he said to the Associated Press.

T.I.'s "Paper Trail" debuted as the #1 album in the country, moving more than 568,000 units in its first week.  His latest single, "Live Your Life," sits on top of the Billboard Top 200 taking the #1 slot from his first single, "Whatever You Like."  This is T.I.'s third straight # 1 album on The Billboard 200 and the third largest opening week of the year for any artist.  T.I. also broke his own record on the Hot 100 singles list.  Just six weeks ago the rapper had broken the previous record for largest climb and he has now broken his own record this week.  "Live Your Life" featuring Rihanna, the second single from "Paper Trail," lept 80-1, replacing the album's first single "Whatever You Like" at # 1.  The first single was #1 for five weeks.

Not bad for a man facing 10 years in prison a year ago.  Exactly a year ago this month T.I., real name Clifford Harris, was arrested for trying to buy an arsenal of weapons from his former bodyguard.  He has since been sentenced to one year in prison and ordered to complete 1000 hours of community service, counseling youths on the perils of the street life.  T.I. is scheduled to begin his prison sentence in March of 2009.

About the miraculous turn of events T.I. said, "It's a blessing to come from where I was at the beginning of the year all the way to right here," he said. "It's an honor and a privilege to assume such levels of achievement." 

While the mainstream love "Whatever You Like" and "Live Your Life," the buzz on the streets has been T.I.'s "Swagga Like US" track featuring an M.I.A. sample and guest vocals by Kanye West, Jay Z and Lil Wayne.  T.I. explains how the instant classic came about, "It wasn't like I said let me get Jay, Wayne and Kanye on the same song," he said. "The song started off with me and Kanye and it was just me and Kanye, and mutual associates of all four of us suggested, 'Hey man, if Jay and Wayne were on here too, it'll be one of the biggest songs in hip-hop history.' So I said, 'You know what, that's a great idea. It's ambitious, but it's a great idea.' So we reached out and they agreed and it's a pleasure to have them involved."

DOWNLOADS:

T.I. featuring Foxy Brown & Trina - Whatever You Like Remix

T.I. - Collect Call - Paper Trail - iTunes Bonus Track