Track Record: Kanye West’s Humble Beginnings

T.I.

Album: Trap Muzik (2003)

Notable Songs: “Doin’ My Job,” “Let Me Tell You Something”

While T.I. is a household name today, it was a different story back in 2003. Working on his sophomore album, the budding rapper was on his second album and record deal in as many years. Kanye contributed two tracks to the album, most notably “Doin My Job.” Though the song was not a single, the track stood out for the popular soul sample sound that Kanye had been creating for Roc-A-Fella, helping the rapper cross over to a new audience. Kanye’s work put the virtually unknown T.I. on the map, not only as a southern rapper, but a lyricist in general.