Clifford Harris Jr. and Tameka Cottle Harris, known as T.I. and Tiny, have been together for over two decades. Mr. Harris was known as Tip but adopted the name T.I. due to his respect for Q-Tip, a fellow rapper with a solid reputation in rap music. Consequently, Tiny got her name from her size but was famed for being a member of Xscape, quite popular in the 1990s.
Tiny has had a successful career, even being credited for her co-writing the song “No Scrubs” by TLC. T.I.’s music career began in 1996 when he befriended Big Kuntry, a local rapper in Georgia. They later sold mixtapes together from the trunk of their car. When the couple met in T.I.’s hometown at the start of his career, Tiny was already a successful artist with three platinum albums with Xscape. They have had a roller-coaster of a relationship and achieved much, but it has not been without problems. Looking back, there have been instances in their relationship that are considered memorable.
T.I. and Tiny Meet
T.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Cottle of Xscape (Photo by R. Diamond/WireImage)
T.I. and Tiny first met in 1999 through T.I.'s music career. Coincidentally, Xscape had been working with T.I.'s label, Grand Hustle Records. Tiny ignored T.I. when they first met in the studio, but after some effort and a date, he managed to charm her. The couple’s journey began shortly after this, and just like teenagers in love, they clearly had that spark!
In 2001, T.I. reportedly signed a record deal with Arista. During this time, he made an interesting remark to win Tiny over further as he worked on his Trap Muzik album. In an interview with Global Grind, T.I. joked that while Tiny didn’t give her attention at first, the album would get her attention.
The Couple Grow a Family
After dating for a few years, in 2004, T.I. and Tiny welcomed their first child together. They named their son Clifford "King" Harris III. Years later, T.I. was arrested on gun charges when he tried to purchase an unregistered machine gun from his then-bodyguard. The bodyguard was reportedly a federal informant who snitched on him. T.I. was given a seven-month sentence.
Despite these shocking incidences, Tiny visited him in prison. Unfortunately, while she did this, Tiny was also pregnant but lost the baby. However, in May of the following year, the couple welcomed their second baby together, Major Philant Harris. T.I. decided to honor Philant Johnson, his close friend who had died of gun violence.
The Family Hustle
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 23: T.I. (C), wife singer-songwriter Tiny (R) and their children (from L) Clifford 'King' Joseph Harris III, Layah Amore Harris, Major Philant Harris and Heiress Diana Harris attend Nickelodeon's 2019 Kids' Choice Awards at Galen Center on March 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Presley Ann/FilmMagic)
T.I. and Tiny finally got married in July 2010. They had been patient but made their lifelong dream to strengthen their family bond come true. The memorable ceremony was graced by a horse-drawn Cinderella carriage in Miami, signaling what most thought would be a new beginning for the couple.
Unfortunately, not long after, T.I. was back in jail for 11 months for illegal possession of drugs, against the terms of his probation in 2010. After completing his sentence, the entrepreneur started a reality TV show on VH1. T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle was founded on the premise of a significant gap he saw that he could capitalize on. As much as it was a hit in the mainstream media, it clearly put their dirty laundry on display.
The Family Scandals Sustain
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 23: T.I. and Tameka 'Tiny' Harris speak during T.I.'s 16th Annual Turkey Drive at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church on November 23, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images)
In 2014, a video surfaced online showing T.I. getting into a physical altercation with Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas. The incident reportedly stemmed from T.I.'s suspicion that Tiny was having an affair with Mayweather. However, the couple denied the rumors and maintained that they were still together.
On March 2016, T.I. and Tiny welcomed their daughter Heiress Diana Harris. Despite the excitement, the couple’s union was not all roses. In April 2017, T.I. and Tiny's marriage was once again in the spotlight when Tiny filed for divorce over cheating allegations. T.I. had allegedly cheated on Tiny with Bernice Burgos, an Instagram model. T.I. filed a counter-suit with his own terms for the divorce in July 2017. This was in response to Tiny’s demands that included primary custody as well as joint legal custody of their three kids. Fortunately, the couple reconciled, and the divorce was never finalized.
T.I. Goes Big With Gifts
In 2018, T.I. bought his wife a new $225,000 whip for her 43rd birthday. According to him, he just wanted to thank her for loving him and standing by his side. When he was asked about the Mercedez S550 T.I. had customized for Tiny, he avoided giving the specifics. He instead felt his feelings for Tiny had been justified over the years.
T.I. & Tiny Face Vicious Allegations
In 2021, rumors emerged that the couple had been intimately abusing various women. Sabrina Peterson, a former associate of the couple, started the rumors and alleged abuse and trafficking accusations. Through their spokesperson, the couple denied the claims. However, they later decided to suspend the show Friends & Family Hustle after the allegations to focus on family.
In 2023, the couple’s lawsuit against MGA Entertainment over the similarities between the company’s OMG dolls and that of the rap group OMG Girlz ended in a mistrial. Tiny formed the OMG Girlz in 2009, and the group includes her first daughter Zonnique “Star” Pullins, from a previous relationship before meeting T.I. The couple has been through it all, but despite everything, T.I.'s love for his wife certainly isn't "tiny."
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