Clifford Harris, also known by his stage moniker T.I., released his debut album titled I’m Serious in 2001. Since then, the “Whatever You Like” rapper has had two Billboard No. 1 hits among various strong features.
He has also built a notable film career, starring in such cultural classics like ATL. As Harris has matured, so have his interests. He’s become known as a community advocate and something of a hip-hop gatekeeper, recently opening a museum in Atlanta dedicated to trap music, as Blavity previously reported.
Perhaps his biggest role, though, is that of a father — a position he takes very seriously, by his own admission.
1. Messiah Harris
T.I’s shares his firstborn with Lashon Dixon, according to Whosdatedwho.
Messiah is a 20-year-old student at Georgia State University, though T.I. pushed for Messiah to enroll at Morehouse — an ordeal detailed on T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle. Still, T.I. couldn’t be prouder of the young Harris.
The rapper and actor credited his son’s arrival as the inspiration for turning his life around. In a 2019 birthday post honoring Messiah’s 19th birthday, Harris spoke of the joys of first-time fatherhood.
“Happy 19th to my first born… @phase_4 you truly changed my life,” he wrote. “I was selling crack on S.Grand ave off Bankhead when your mom told me she was pregnant with you. I was signed, working on my first album, on my way to greatness by the time you were born. I accredit you for changing my life son…and for that… I THANK YOU!!!,” T.I. wrote.
2. Deyjah Harris
T.I’s daughter was recently thrust into the spotlight after controversial statements made by her father. T.I. shares Deyjah with Violeta Morgan, also known as Ms. Niko, reports IBTimes. In 2019, Tip appeared on the Ladies Like Us podcast and revealed that his parenting style includes taking then 18-year-old Deyjah to the gynecologist to have her hymen checked, as Blavity previously reported.
“Not only have we had the conversation, we have yearly trips to the gynecologist to check her hymen,” said Harris on the podcast.
An unbroken hymen has long been associated with virginity, a belief even Planned Parenthood confirmed as false (while chastising T.I.). Harris’ revelation was met with immediate backlash. He took his defense and explanation to Jada Pinkett Smith's Red Table Talk, where he said his words were taken too literally and that he didn’t owe an apology to the public, as Blavity previously reported.
"From a place of truth, I began to exaggerate and embellish. A lot of people took it extremely literal. If you knew my reputation, who I am as a father and who I've been. I thought people knew me better than that," he said.
3. Domani Harris
Domani Harris is the second son of Dixon and Harris, according to HotSpotATL. As a young child, he appeared on The Family Hustle but has branched out with his own entertainment aspirations. The 18-year-old boasts an Instagram following of over 500,000 and has a presence on Soundcloud as a rapper. His latest EP, the eight-track AMYGDALA, was released in 2018.
4. Clifford “King” Harris III
Anyone who has watched The Family Hustle knows that King Harris is full of personality. The son of rapper T.I. and R&B O.G. Tiny Harris (of Xscape and “No Scrubs” songwriting fame), King is known for his colorful hairstyles and eclectic style. The 15-year-old has decided to go into the family business as a rapper and performer. In 2019 he was signed to Tara Thomas Agency, reports The Source.
5. Major Harris
Eleven-year-old Major Harris has grown before our eyes. As an adorable little boy, Major has forever been memorialized as the perfect GIF for sipping tea, minding one's business, or doing the opposite while being shady. The young Harris keeps a low profile, and his social media profile, run by his family, mainly shows his scholastic accolades and other kid-appropriate things.
Just look at this precious face!
6. Heiress Harris
The youngest of the Harris clan, Heiress not only has a dope name but she adorably (and very intelligently) graces her parents' Instagram pages from time to time. Not only does she talk as coherently as many adults, the 3-year-old is also a full-fledged businesswoman. She has a line of all-natural children’s nail polish, The Royal Collection by Heiress Harris, with Piggy Paint.
7. Zonnique Pullins
Zonnique Pullins has gone into the family business as a singer and performer. Her biological father is Zonnie Pullins, but many know Pullins to be raised by T.I. as his own. The "Rubber Band Man" rapper is serious about making no difference in how he treats Pullins. Last year, he set an Instagram commenter straight for calling him a stepfather, according to Atlanta Black Star.
8. Leyah Amore
Sadly, we've never met Leyah Amore. In 2009, Tiny revealed that she had suffered a miscarriage and Amore was stillborn six months into the pregnancy, according to People. Tiny has stated that she kept pictures and flowers from the burial to remember her deceased child.
It's clear that the Harris kids have plenty of talent and potential to go far, so it should be exciting to see where life takes them.
