Rap superstar T.I. glams it up in the latest issue of FLAUNT, the edgy Los Angeles-based fashion bible whose almost-monthly editorials featuring black and Latino models and actors have become required reading. The editorial comes as the "King of the South" releases his sixth studio CD, Paper Trail, which debuted this week No. 1 on The Billboard 200.
The luxurious black and white editorial is visually arresting with dramatic shadows and lighting. Very 1940s gangster chic featuring pieces by Commes des Garcons, Fendi, and, of course, Gucci, such as the double breasted mohair coat. The pictorial was lensed by fashion photographer Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca. Long Nguyen is the style director. The same creative team was behind Bow Wow's super glam editorial for Flaunt.
Above jacket and slacks by Giorgio Armani.
We're not necessarily the biggest fans of some choices that T.I. has made, but, we have to admire his swagger and give the rapper his props. Unlike some other entertainers, T.I. has spearheaded a voter registration campaign and is the spokesman for "Respect My Vote!" and the Hip Hop Caucus.
Thanks to FLAUNT's New York City bureau for the preview.
More photos in the magazine.
Photographer: Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca
Style Director: Long Nguyen.
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sexy red devil..
Posted by: freeleo | 07 October 2008 at 19:07
Freeleo is right. TI is a sexy lil MFer.
Posted by: Roberto Lana | 07 October 2008 at 19:13
That photography is fabulous and the fashions are too too sexy. TI is thug sexy with his lil gun toting self.
Posted by: Brandon | 07 October 2008 at 19:15
I really don't get in for TI. But Flaunt isn't setting it off with their editorials.
Posted by: David | 07 October 2008 at 19:18
Pint sized butch queen. I see him all the time down here. Meh.
On the other hand, Long Nguyen and Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca are SERVING the children.
Posted by: ATL Kid | 07 October 2008 at 19:23
This is a great photo shoot. I love the black and white.
Rod, why do you always get the Flaunt previews? I've only seen them here and occasionally at Towleroad.
Posted by: CD Wright | 07 October 2008 at 19:26
TI is hot and he is hardly a butch queen. I think you are just jealous, Atl Kid.
Posted by: Anderson | 07 October 2008 at 19:30
'Rod, why do you always get the Flaunt previews? I've only seen them here and occasionally at Towleroad.'
'Cuz this blog is everything, sweets, at least for the black gay. The editors at Flaunt are not stupid.
This preview is FIYAH. TI is the epitome of thug realness and no not a pint sized BQ lol.
Posted by: Devontae | 07 October 2008 at 19:38
TI does absolutely nothing for me...although the pictorial is nice.
Posted by: Christian | 07 October 2008 at 19:55
That coat at the top is just sick. And I'm with Christian, TI does nothing for me but the clothes and photography are wonderful.
Posted by: Terry | 07 October 2008 at 20:36
These pictures are fabulous and I am living for the Commes des Garcons.
Posted by: Terry | 07 October 2008 at 21:08
I think TI is cute as f**k.
I admit one thing, he needs to eat and lift heavy weights cause he is "Somalia skinny". If you would drop his ass in Somalia he would fit right in. I think they might give him their food.
Anyway, I've met this red-bone in person and I wanted to kidnap him but Tiny would've jumped me on the spot.
He is so cute even when he looks mad. Very attractive to me. If he put on 50 pounds of muscle, he would be one of the finest rapper ever.
FINE!
Posted by: Anti-believer | 07 October 2008 at 21:51
Rod, this pictorial is hot ta death. I LOVE IT. I am looking for a Flaunt in the morning, loves me some TI.
Posted by: A. Ronald | 07 October 2008 at 23:36
TI IS handsome but as a convicted felon he got in trouble a while back for illegally having firearms. Did he somehow get out of that situation?
Posted by: elg | 08 October 2008 at 09:46
He goes to jail in 2009.
Posted by: Anti-believer | 08 October 2008 at 12:29
Somalia skinny? Well, we see ignorance comes out on all websites. Famine is nothing to laugh at...
Posted by: Chris | 08 October 2008 at 18:35
TI is such a handsome brotha, but he's just too petite for my tastes.
Posted by: Phat Boy | 10 October 2008 at 15:53