Atlanta rapper T.I. swiftly shot down claims of ghostwriting for fellow artist Iggy Azalea. Rumors were reignited when Nicki Minaj told the world that she writes her own rhymes while at this year’s BET Awards.
At the show, the Young Money first lady claimed that anything she rapped, she wrote and then made a series of gestures that were widely presumed to be directed at Azalea, followed by saying, “No shade.”
The internet assumed that she was referring to Azalea. But, according to T.I., while all artists get assistance “with hooks and certain things like that,” Azalea raps her own rhymes.
“I couldn’t write a lot of the things that she says, you know? I couldn’t put her thoughts into words as articulate as she does. She just has a different way of presenting herself and her art.”
Rumors have been speculating for quite some time that Australian emcee Iggy Azalea has been relying on ghostwriters–namely her former label head T.I.–to pen her major hits.
Recently, Iggy was featured on T.I.’s newly-released record, “No Mediocre.” During an interview earlier this month on Power 106’s Big Boy’s Neighborhood, the Grand Hustle helmsman recalled observing the Australian rapper’s star potential early on in her career.
“I knew that with the proper planning and execution the sky was the limit for her,” he said. “She has a killer instinct, kind of like a ‘if you like me or not I’m going to make it’ so you can see it now or kick yourself in the ass later. That’s called star quality.”
T.I. also spoke about his evolution as a person helping his growth as an artist.
“Really, I just want to continue to evolve as an artist and re-present myself,” the Southern wordsmith said. “Let people find new things to learn and like about T.I…You have to grow as a person. An artist is just an extension of you as a person. So, as a person you must grow. So, as an artist it’s inevitable.”
