TI, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z and Ye (ex-Kanye West) teamed up to form the rap group Avengers in 2008 for “Swagga Like Us.”
Tip joined Fat Joe for one episode Fat Joe speaks on Friday (Nov. 15), where they tackled a plethora of topics surrounding the trap pioneer's decorated career. One part saw TI present the Grammy trophy he won for his performance on “Swagga Like Us” for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 51st Grammys.
“We weren't together,” TI said when asked if the foursome came into the studio at the same time. “I was first. Gee Roberson gave me a Kanye produced beat that had the MIA sample on it. Got it for me with Kanye on the hook. Then he said, “You know what would be drugs? If only I could get Wayne and Hov here too.' I said, “Get the fk out of here.”
The Atlanta rapper shot down any rumors that he ever had beef with Lil Wayne in the past. “Well, we have a lot of records together. Many discs together. Some people talk because they have lips,” he quipped. “It's respect there. The toughest fights you had, no matter who you fought, you left there with respect for that person.”
Over the years, footage of Lil Wayne recording his syrupy verse for “Swagga Like Us” from a studio in a hotel room has repeatedly gone viral on social media.
The Kanye West-produced anthem reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Swagga Like Us” was also nominated for Best Rap Song, but lost to Wayne's Carter III crush the “Lollipop”.
TI ended up including “Swagga Like Us” — which gives fans a glimpse of who was dominating the rap game in '08 — on Paper path album that arrived in September of that year. Paper path served as Tip's sixth studio album, and the LP topped the Billboard 200.
Watch the clip below and watch the entire episode on Starz.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/ti-swagga-like-us-kanye-jay-z-lil-wayne-origin-1235830965/
