Hip-hop icon and ultimate family man T.I. recently made an emotional yet hilarious announcement via Atlanta’s Hot 107.9 that his son King Harris was adding to his generations with his first child. This makes it a major milestone for the Harris family, with T.I. being a grandfather now for a third time, already chauffeuring not one but two granddaughters via his daughter Zonnique Pullins and son Domani Harris.
The announcement came with pride from T.I., humor, and a tinge of trepidation. He said in jest,
“I’m gonna make this the greatest gangster of all time. I will raise this child to torture you the way you tortured me.”
These light comments just show how convoluted and highly publicized in general the father-son dynamic has been over the years. Light air from T.I. juxtaposes the serious challenges that T.I. and King, respectively, have overcome and emphasizes how tight their bond still remains despite the rocky moments.
Since his early teens, King Harris has been in the limelight and often made front-page tabloids with many actions that raised concern for both his family and the public. But his most memorable incident happened in September 2022 when King found himself in the midst of a viral controversy after a fight occurred at a Waffle House. The incident, which was linked to King’s frustration over the service, escalated really fast and culminated in a heated exchange with an employee. The video, capturing King’s threats and boasts about his status, went viral and elicited widespread criticism. T.I. He then addressed the situation, showing his disappointment in King’s actions but also emphasizing that his son needed to learn from his mistakes.
The next year, King’s legal troubles continued with numerous run-ins with the law; his public image only took a hit with each case. In September 2023, he was arrested on undisclosed charges, which landed T.I.
This puts him in the hard position of having to balance public support for his son with the duty of holding him responsible. T.I. publicly spoke about King’s behavior, highlighting personal responsibility and ensuring King knows he must take responsibility for his actions.
Perhaps the most salient moment in their relationship was in 2023 when King and T.I. got into a physical altercation that made its way into the public domain. The incident reportedly grew out of a disagreement that mushroomed into a physical confrontation, which media quickly latched onto. Despite the wild speculation over their relationship, T.I. would later underscore the need for discipline and respect in the family while at the same time reaffirming his abiding love for his son.
Now, the Harris family has readied itself for a new phase of life, as the announcement has come that King is soon to become a father. This isn’t just an important phase of life for King but for the entire family, as they get ready to accommodate one more soul in their already famous house. T.I.’s mixture of light-heartedness and concern regarding King’s upcoming fatherhood mirrors some flux in challenges and opportunities. It also suggests a potentially profound turning point in the life of King, whose transition into adulthood had been fitful.
