T.I. has set a goal to snag pop phenom Lady Gaga for his new King Uncaged album.
The self-proclaimed King of the South has kept a brisk schedule following his release from prison, releasing a mixtape and appearing on tracks with Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, and Diddy.
Since 2008, T.I. has made it a trend to utilize prominent pop stars for singles. Paper Trail’s biggest singles featured Rihanna (“Live Your Life”) and Justin Timberlake (“Dead and Gone”). King Uncaged’s lead single is accompanied by Keri Hilson (“I Got Your Back”).
While the Atlanta emcee gave Gaga accolades for her creative approaches to music, he admitted a driving force for the collaboration is her immense popularity.
“I’m still trying to make that [collaboration] manifest. I think it’s an odd enough combination, but I think that both of us are able to diversify,” T.I. told In Touch Weekly. “I have a lot of respect for her individuality, the daring to be different. And of course, everyone loves ‘Poker Face.’”
Lady Gaga is currently enjoying the massive success of her international Monster’s Ball tour, which runs through April 2011. She has also stated that her third studio album is finished but won’t be released until next year.
T.I.’s King Uncaged is scheduled for release on September 28.
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For the most part I haven’t cared for T.I.’s pop singles like “Live Your Life,” “Whatever You Like,” and the new “I Got Your Back” (“Dead and Gone” was cool). But I understand the formula. It’s been working great so why switch up? Plus his albums are diverse enough to hit all his fanbases.
A song with Gaga would sell itself and the album. And chart-topping success of the recent rap/pop union in Snoop and Katy Perry’s “California Girlz” makes this a no-brainer for their labels (T.I.-Atlantic, Gaga-Interscope).
I feel bad for Wale, though. I remember last year when he was performed in Atlanta he was pushing his Gaga single “Chillin’” hard, stating he was banking on it to get him a release date. It’s a decent joint but for whatever reason just didn’t register with fans.
Still have a promotional sticker plastered on my fridge that his team was handing out.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 