I been said it and been saying it over the years that TI wasn't what he wants the public to believe he was/is and even Young Dro said it that after KrisKross and ABC blew in ATL there was a little dude by the name of Lil TIP and he was rapping that street shit and he was 12yr old looking for a record deal.But then came Mobb Deep Illegal,Da youngsta,Da Family, and a few other gangsta rapping kids and they got pushback from signing them from C.Delouris Tucker and the rest of them folks but he was signed but they wanted him to change his direction of his music.This is where I believe whoever was smart and the Neptunes,Beenie Man came to his rescue cause they were hot,the lable was happy and TI was because he didn't really have to change much and it worked it put him ahead of a lot of groups and guys that came after in ATL.
So when did he have time to be the biggest dope dealer in ATL I don't know but I respect his grind to turn his fathers dope money legit to where he can take care of his whole family
Anyways.....TI do what you have to do just don't Marvin Gaye his ass