T.I explains what OutKast & Scarface told him about calling himself 'King of the South'

Earlier this month, during a radio interview, T.I. said Jingle Ball will be the last time he'll be performing. But he does have two albums on the way, Kiss the King and Kill the King — titles that derive from the King of the South name that he gave himself years ago.

While speaking about those projects with AllHipHop, Tip explained how André 3000, his OutKast partner Big Boi, and Scarface gave him advice on the King of the South moniker, which helped shape his thinking about it.

First, Scarface told him that he has no interest in the title since he could've easily called himself King of the South based on his career accomplishments. So, that gave T.I. the go-ahead to use it. Then André 3000 asked him, "What does it really mean to be king?" Which is a question that Big Boi later answered. "The king is the target because you can’t be looking for no favor," he told T.I. "Ain’t nobody gonna help you with nothing."

The "No Mediocre" rapper then said he developed a full understanding of the title as the year's went on, but now he plans to distance himself from it with the release of Kiss the King and Kill the King. Plus, Tip said the former LP will be for the ladies and the latter will likely appeal more to the fellas.

"Chess is a game of life, and the object is to kill the king," he explained. "To really find peace, you gotta starve the ego."

On his decision to retire from performing, Tip explained in that radio interview that he no longer needs the money and doesn't want to "hop around" and "sweat" for people's entertainment. His Jingle Ball performance will be on December 19, at Atlanta's State Farm Arena.