T.I. Awarded as Outstanding Georgia Citizen

District of Georgia House Representative Debra Bazemore presented artist, actor and producer, T.I. with the Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award. The rapper, whose legal name is Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., was recognized for his extensive philanthropic efforts in his home state. “In the grand scheme of things, we are only here on Earth, in this life, for a short period of time, and once we leave, people won’t remember the clothes we wore or the things we have,” T.I. said while accepting the award, as reported by 11 Alive. “We will only be remembered by what we meant to our family, our children and what we were able to do for others.”

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After receiving his award from the state of Georgia, T.I was given the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award by President Biden. “I congratulate you for taking it upon yourself to contribute to the public good, and I’m proud to present you the President’s Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of your … service to this great Nation,” the president wrote in a letter to the rapper.

The rapper also expressed on Instagram how he felt receiving the recognition. “So…You spend years grinding,fighting, clawing and climbing ?‍♀️ with what feels like the weight(&Hate)of the world on your shoulders….oftentimes feeling like no one cares, notices, or appreciates your efforts, intentions or sacrifices … then BAM ? God hits you it you face wit a blessing that shows you,you don’t know,” he wrote on an Instagram post.

CBS’s 46 News reported that T.I. used to call himself as the “Troubleman” and had a history of running afoul of the law, but today he is known for the “good trouble” as the late Representative of Georgia’s 5th District, John Lewis, liked to describe it. Through his award-winning and multi-platinum career spanning 20 years, he has inspired a lot of people. He has always been open about his transformation from a drug dealer struggling to support his family into one of the most well-known and prosperous rappers, actors, and entertainers in the business.