Artificial intelligence continues to spark debate across rap and hip hop, and T.I. is the latest artist to openly wrestle with what the future might look like. Known for his sharp opinions and long-standing presence in the culture, the Atlanta rapper didn’t hide his early concerns about AI entering the music space.
For T.I., the conversation isn’t just about technology; it’s about creativity, talent, and staying relevant in a rapidly changing industry. While many artists remain firmly against AI-driven music, T.I.’s stance has evolved, thanks in part to a conversation with one of hip hop’s most respected producers.
That shift came during a recent episode of his podcast expediTIously, where T.I. explained how Dr. Dre helped him see artificial intelligence not as a threat, but as a potential tool.
T.I. explains why AI music once felt “dangerous.”
During the podcast, the rapper was asked directly about his thoughts on AI music. His response was honest and firm. “I think it's dangerous, and initially I have been emphatically against it,” the “Live Your Life” artist said.
T.I. made it clear that his concerns were rooted in authenticity, a core value in rap and hip hop culture. For years, artists have fought to protect originality, and AI has raised fears about replacing human creativity rather than enhancing it.
Still, his opinion began to change after a conversation with Dr. Dre, who shared his own experience working with new tools while producing for Bruce Springsteen.
How Dr. Dre changed T.I.’s perspective
According to T.I., Dr. Dre explained that AI doesn’t eliminate skill; it demands it. “You still have to work, be talented, and programming to do what you want it to do,” T.I. said, adding that the technology is “an advantage.”
He went on to acknowledge the reality of the industry’s direction. “And it's almost like if everyone else has access to it and they're using it, and you're not, then you're going to be left out. And you're going to be left behind,” he continued.
That idea, adaptation over resistance, resonated deeply, especially in a genre built on innovation.
AI, identity, and the future of hip-hop
During the conversation, T.I. also referenced AI artist Xania Monet, a project created by poet Telisha “Nikki” Jones. “She's writing the songs, and she trained it with her voice, but you know, that ain't exactly how she look and probably ain't exactly how she sound,” he explained. “But it's still her. She's writing the music. So I think that to me is like, 'Aight.'”
For T.I., the key is intention and authorship. As rap and hip hop continue to evolve, his takeaway is clear: technology may change the tools, but creativity still starts with the artist.