TIP [Formerly T.I.] Leaves Columbia Records

T.I. released "Paperwork" through the label.


Changing his name from T.I. to TIP is not the only transition the Atlanta rapper is undergoing in his music career. He has announced that he left Columbia Records.

TIP independently released Da' Nic EP September 11 through his Grand Hustle label and is preparing an album entitled The Dime Trap.

"Having just exited my deal at Columbia, I was a rogue artist, busting creativity, just waiting to put music in the marketplace," the Atlanta rapper says to HITS Daily Double, "so while I'm sorting out my next situation, I'm blessed enough to be able to control my destiny and put music out as quickly as I want to, and was able to release a TIP album, which I had wanted to do for a long time."

The rapper formerly known as T.I. released Paperwork last year with Columbia Records. His previous seven albums, including King, Paper Trail and No Mercy, were released through Atlantic Records.