According to my insider at Sony Records, rapper Tip “T.I.” Harris is on the verge of signing a new record deal with Sony. T.I., an artist on Atlantic Records since his 2001 debut LP, I’m Serious, left Atlantic’s lowball offer on the table and is considering offers from other major labels.

According to my source, T.I. and Grand Hustle CEO Jason Geter met with the head honchos of Sony Records yesterday to discuss a “big deal” for T.I.

The big names in the room included Doug Morris, Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Entertainment; Shawn “Tubby” Holiday, A&R Sony Music; Mark Pitts, President of Urban Music at RCA/Sony and founder of Bystorm Entertainment; and Peter Edge, CEO of Sony’s RCA Music Group. The discussions also included a distribution deal for Grand Hustle Records.

If the deal goes through, T.I. will join rapper Rick Ross, who recently inked a deal with Sony to bring his Maybach Music Group to the label.

In an interview with Power 105.1 last year, the Grammy-winning rapper said he wanted to end his career at Atlantic Records. “Aye man I”ma say this, I’m happy where I’m at if they happy to have me,” Tip said. “I’d like to finish my career there if that’s possible, but that’s not up to me, it’s up to them.”

Wise choice for the King of the South!!! Like how he takes his lady Tiny everywhere with him now...

[Edited 1/12/13 7:25am]

why is he signing a new deal when he straight out said he want out of the business that he not happy with how hip hop is now and all that yadda yadaa.so apparently he happy or something he want a new deal. if his contract was up this was his way out

who ever wrote this didnt fact check, Tips debut was on Arista not Atlantic... his second release and all others all on Atlantic

i dont understand why labels shell out cash at this point, since most deals like this are losses overall. Especially now with sales at an all time low, unless they are getting something else from an artist it makes no sense to sign big deals

I hope there's a clause in there for upfronted bail money and lawyer expenses. T.I. doesn't have the best judgement or impulse control.

Isn't Young Jeezy like the president of Atlantic Records now? His ATL homie couldn't hook him up?

what does Jeezy SVP A&R gig have to do with TI moving labels? Atlantic has been TI established home for all his projects sans his debut... its time for change

getxxxx said:

who ever wrote this didnt fact check, Tips debut was on Arista not Atlantic... his second release and all others all on Atlantic

'L.A.' Reid is now Chairman & CEO of Epic Records a division of Sony. La Reid is the one the first signed an unknown talented Ti to his first record deal....