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King Back: T.I.'s 10 Biggest Billboard Hits

by Jason Lipshutz and Erika Ramirez, N.Y.  |   October 12, 2011 4:15 EDT
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Artists in this Article

R. Kelly
Destiny's Child
Justin Timberlake
T.I.
Rihanna
Young Dro

T.I. has had a rough few years between his multiple jail stints and an album (2010's "No Mercy") that failed to gain traction, but things are looking up for the King of the South. One month out of prison after serving 10 months for a probation violation, Tip has already released two electrifying new tracks, "F.A.M.E." with Young Jeezy and his own "I'm Flexin'" featuring Big K.R.I.T.; he performed both tracks at the 2011 BET Hip-Hop Awards, which aired on Tuesday night (Oct. 11). And the good news keeps rolling in for T.I., as "I'm Flexin'" debuts at No. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100, to be released tomorrow (Oct. 13) on Billboard.com.


With T.I. fresh out of jail and returning to the charts, Billboard.com's The Juice looks back at Tip's 10 biggest Billboard hits, based on actual performance on the weekly Hot 100. From his massive solo material to his collaborations with artists like Justin Timberlake and Destiny's Child, T.I. has frequented the upper reaches of the Hot 100 over his decade-long career. Where do you think "I'm Flexin'" will rank among these hits when all is said and done?

 

10. "Big Things Poppin' [Do It]"
Hot 100 Peak Position: No. 9
Hot 100 Peak Date: 7/21/07
Weeks On Chart: 19

 

 

T.I.? Or T.I.P.? The age-old debate raged on with this single from the rapper's 2007 concept album "T.I. vs. T.I.P.," which pitted T.I.'s polished side against his "street" instincts. Regardless of which side you support, "Big Things Poppin'" still sounds fresh and ferocious, with T.I. and producer Mannie Fresh continuing the success of their "King" single "Top Back."

 

9. "I'm A Flirt (Remix)" (R. Kelly feat. T.I. and T-Pain)
Peak Position: No. 12
Peak Date: 4/28/07
Weeks On Chart: 20

 

 

After "Ignition (Remix)" became a smash for R. Kelly, the singer upped the ante by inviting Tip and T-Pain to join him on this 2007 single. T.I.'s smooth verse fits well with the sumptuous, slow-motion-heavy music video, which includes an unforgettable shot of R. Kelly literally being crowned the king of R&B at the 4:14 mark.

 

8. "Shoulder Lean" (Young Dro feat. T.I.)
Peak Position: No. 10
Peak Date: 8/26/06
Weeks On Chart: 20

 

 

In the same year that Tip released "King" and guested on Justin Timberlake's "My Love," the King of the South decided to help one of Grand Hustle's princes by delivering the chorus on Young Dro's "Shoulder Lean." The track became Young Dro's first -- and, so far, only -- Top 10 hit on the Hot 100.

 

7. "Bring Em Out"
Peak Position: No. 9
Peak Date: 2/5/05
Weeks On Chart: 21

 

 

T.I. continued establishing himself as a Southern hip-hop force on third album "Urban Legend," which was highlighted by this unhinged, sound-the-alarms track courtesy of Swizz Beatz. Using a sample of Jay-Z's "What More Can I Say," "Bring Em Out" is still used as intro music at NBA and NFL games by teams looking for a shot of slickly produced adrenaline.

 

6. "What You Know"
Peak Position: No. 3
Peak Date: 4/22/06
Weeks On Chart: 20

 

 

The crown jewel of T.I.'s 2006 breakout album "King," "What You Know" features DJ Toomp's most pummeling beat and a transcendent, drawling performance by Tip, who offers to answer the question, "Will I get ya block knocked off?" While it didn't achieve the crossover success of his "Paper Trail" singles, the song remains T.I.'s most critically acclaimed to date.

 

Next: "My Love," "Live Your Life," and T.I.'s Biggest Hit Yet

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