Clifford “T.I.” Harris was honored during ASCAP’s 2nd Annual Living Legends Mixer a few days ago and took the opportunity to address the crowd assembled before him.

After a long drawn out introduction from DeVyne Stephens and Jermaine Dupri, whose father Michael Mauldin was among the honorees of the evening Tip speaks on his path in the Atlanta music industry.

He admits he was mad at JD for leaving him out of the historic “Welcome to Atlanta” song and talks about how he survived by pure determination and hard work WITHOUT having his opportunities handed to him for “knowing people” in the industry.

Tip’s speech was so great, I decided to give him his own post!

Watch it below…

VIDEO: T.I.’s ASCAP Acceptance Speech

Did you hear what I heard?

Considering the crowd he was addressing; Jermaine Dupri, Michael Mauldin, Noontime, Perri “Pebbles” Reid – i.e. all 90’s era Atlanta music moguls, it was almost a Mike Jones moment ?-?‘back then y’all didn’t know me, now I’m hot y’all all on me!’

I loved it!!

*Shoutout to Birchell Glenn at Pow-TV.net for sending the video

Photos: Prince Williams (ATLPics)

CLICK HERE for more pics from this event…