T.I. has officially added “comedian” to his resume, making his televised stand-up debut in Kevin Hart‘s upcoming Comic View reboot.
Variety (via Yahoo! Entertainment) was the first to break the news on Friday (July 7), when they revealed that Hart began taping the event on July 6 (his actual birthday), and will conclude taping it on Sunday (July 9).
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The event, which will be hosted by Mike Epps, will be taped at the Resorts World in Las Vegas, NV, and will feature the Rubber Band Man strutting his comedic stuff alongside seasoned stand-up performers like Bresha Webb, Tommy Davidson, and Taccara Williams. Wild N’Out‘s D.C. Young Fly will also be making an appearance on the stage.
“I’m thrilled to partner with BET for the return of ‘Comic View’ as part of Hartbeat Weekend making this can’t-miss celebration of comedy, music and culture,” Hart said in a statement to the outlet. “Having hosted ‘Comic View’ in the past, I understand first-hand the incredible platform this franchise offers for comedians to showcase their talents on a national stage and I’m excited to continue that tradition in Las Vegas.”
The news of T.I.’s foray into comedy first broke in early 2022 when footage circulated online showing the Grand Hustle general putting his mic skills to the test at a comedy club. In the two-minute clip, Tip stands on stage and delivers a stand-up routine touching on infidelity.
“If you ever get into the area of cheating, that’s no man’s land,” the Atlanta rapper — who has been married to his wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris for 12 years — joked. “Can you be in a committed relationship and still have a friend from the opposite sex? Now, if you fucking, it don’t count!”
While T.I. will have to prove his comedic mettle to the notoriously difficult Comic View crowd, he’s definitely faring better with his “unapologetic hood” comedy movie, Da Partments, which is heading for Tubi later this year.
DC Young Fly serves as a producer on the film alongside Tip, while Lil Duval and Karlous Miller are named as executive producers.
“The wait is almost over!!!! Get Ready for Uncensored Unhinged Unapologetic Hood humor at its finest…” T.I. wrote. “Fresh out the minds of ones who made it out the trenches & laughed all the way to the bank!!! Written & Directed by @tip for The Sauce Room Prod by @dcyoungfly & @tip Exec Prod @lilduval & @karlousm Introducing: The Haha Mafia”
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He continued: “And Starring the coolest,funniest MFs in Atlanta. Some you know… & Some you should. We all would like to Welcome you to… DaPartments!!! Coming soon @tubi In Partnership wit @Swirlfilmsig.”
In other news for T.I., his lengthy courtroom battle against his wife’s former friend, Sabrina Peterson — who claimed in a 2021 lawsuit that the rapper held her at gunpoint and was harassing her — appears to finally be nearing an end.
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Earlier this month, an appeals court struck down several claims in Sabrina Peterson’s lawsuit against T.I. and his wife, Tiny Harris.
Court documents reveal that California’s Second District Court of Appeal dismissed Peterson’s claims for trade libel, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and intentional and negligent interference with prospective economic advantage.
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The Paper Trail rapper and his wife filed a motion to dismiss Peterson’s lawsuit shortly after it was filed. This was based on California’s anti-SLAPP law, which protects free speech.
While the couple’s motion was initially denied, the appeals court ultimately sided with the couple.
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Despite this, Peterson’s case has not been completely dismissed. She does, however, owe the couple “fees and costs incurred both in the trial court and on appeal in moving to strike the claims on which they prevailed.”
T.I. and Tiny’s lawyer Andrew B. Brettler told Law360 he was “generally pleased with the decision.” He expressed confidence in clearing his clients of Peterson’s defamation and false light invasion of privacy claims.
