S. Samuel
Grammy-winning rapper T.I. has revealed that plans were initially in motion to shoot a music video for the "Swagga Like Us" smash featuring Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil Wayne.
According to T.I., the video would have been inspired by 1990’s cult film, Reservoir Dogs.
For videos, we are at times greatly inspired by them. Actually, we had an idea and concept for “Swagga Like Us,” and it was taken from Reservoir Dogs. Schedules conflicted and we weren’t able to make that happen before my sit down, but I think that would have been an iconic moment.” (Rap Radar)
Featured off T.I.’s 2008 Paper Trail album, the rapper previously spoke with SOHH about how the song came together.
“[Kanye West] said that it was his first beat that he’d done since the untimely passing of his mom,” T.I. explained to SOHH. “He said it was the first beat that he went in the studio to do. I just happened to be the beneficiary of it. You know how Kanye is. [He said], ‘I got something for you. You like it don’t you? Yeah, thought so.’ And you know, he was right. I think it’s probably one of the hottest beats of the year if not the hottest beat of the year and I appreciate Kanye for giving it to me.” (SOHH)
The track eventually landed T.I. a Grammy award at the 51st ceremony.
The song was nominated for the Grammy for Best Rap Song and won the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 51st Grammy Awards. This song was number 22 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008. T.I., Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and M.I.A. (who was 9 months pregnant at the time) performed this song at the 2009 Grammy Awards. (Wikipedia)
T.I. is currently preparing the release of his follow-up, King Uncaged.
“I don’t know, we’re gonna figure that out over the weekend,” Tip said in an interview about coming up with a new single. “It’s gonna be jammin’. It’s gonna be like that. Some people wanna hear me go more ‘hood…Some people think I should go ahead and do my regular one-two and let them come back to me.” (MTV)
Check out T.I.’s “Swagga Like Us” down below:
