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    T.I. is headed to the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture for one of the most anticipated performances of his career. On July 5, the Atlanta rapper will take the Caesars Superdome stage alongside the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra for a special set celebrating more than 20 years of music. Coming just days after the release of Kill the King, his twelfth and final solo album, the evening promises to serve as both a look back at his catalog and the beginning of a new chapter.

    Kill the King, released on June 26, arrives as T.I. closes the book on a recording career that helped redefine Southern rap during the early 2000s. Raised in Atlanta, he first entered the industry with I’m Serious in 2001 before finding mainstream success with Trap Muzik two years later. Powered by songs like “Rubber Band Man,” the album introduced a sound that would help popularize trap music on a larger scale. Success continued with Urban Legend, King, T.I. vs. T.I.P., and Paper Trail, among others, all projects that cemented his place among rap’s biggest names.

    Outside of his own catalog, T.I. (or Tip, as he is respectfully known by fans and longtime friends, alike) also expanded his reach through Grand Hustle Records, the label he co-founded in 2003. Over the years, the imprint became home to artists including B.o.B and Travis Scott while helping to further establish Atlanta as a powerhouse in the industry.

    As an actor, Harris has appeared in films including ATL, Takers, Get Hard, Identity Thief, and Marvel’s Ant-Man franchise. Television audiences also came to know him through series including T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle and The Grand Hustle. He has also authored two novels, adding yet another notch under his belt.

    In the weeks leading up to the release of Kill the King, T.I. unveiled several singles, including “Let ‘Em Know,” “Mr. Him,” and “And Won’t” featuring Summer Walker. He also joined The Roots, Nas, De La Soul, and Bun B for A Great Night in Hip-Hop at the Hollywood Bowl before opening the 2026 BET Awards with an energetic performance. During the ceremony, he earned the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award alongside Lecrae and Killer Mike for “Headphones.”

    Following ESSENCE Festival, T.I. will hit the road for The King Succession Tour, a 10-city run featuring two of his sons, Domani and King. Before then, however, New Orleans will have the first opportunity to witness what could become one of the weekend’s most talked-about performances as one of this era’s defining artists joins forces with Louisiana’s premier musical institution.

    Tickets for the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® are available now. Hotel packages and travel offerings are also available for those planning their stay in New Orleans. Additional talent, programming, and special moments will be announced in the coming weeks. Follow @ESSENCEFest on X, Facebook, and Instagram to stay connected.

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