T.I. has been bestowed with the prestigious Phoenix Award in recognition of his philanthropic endeavors and contributions to the entertainment industry in his hometown of Atlanta.
Considered Atlanta’s “highest honor,” the award was presented to the rapper, actor, and philanthropist on Friday (December 29) after his second concert at the Atlanta Symphony Hall, commemorating the 20th anniversary of his breakthrough album, Trap Muzik.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Senator Raphael Warnock, and Phillana Williams joined forces to present the accolade on stage.
In an exclusive statement to HipHopDX, T.I. expressed his gratitude for the honor, saying, “Humbly honored for us to have received this highest honor by Mayor Andre Dickens and the City of Atlanta. Dis is for Trap Muzik, 20 years later. Happy to have shared this illustrious moment wit my wife and the rest of my family, along wit da people in da City.”
T.I. has been actively involved in his community for years. In November, the “Live Your Life” artist inaugurated the Intrada Westside, an affordable housing complex in Atlanta. The project, developed over several years with his wife, Tiny Harris, consists of 143 apartments, including 25 special units for homeless youth. The site, located across from Center Hill Park in northwest Atlanta, holds sentimental value as it was once a grocery store where T.I.’s grandmother used to shop.
The rapper initially unveiled plans for the housing community in 2021.
Last month, T.I. and Killer Mike took a significant step toward reopening the historic Bankhead Seafood restaurant in Atlanta. They secured a loan from the Georgia Banking Company, marking a pivotal moment in the restaurant’s growth and investing in the local community.
Bankhead Seafood, a restaurant deeply ingrained in the local community, closed its doors in January 2018 after over 50 years of service. In 2019, Killer Mike and T.I. purchased the business along with its name, trademark, and official recipes. Despite delays caused by COVID, they filed building permits in 2021 to rebuild, and the reopening is scheduled for spring 2024.
