The King of the South, T.I.--also known as Tip Harris--continues to prove that he is an ever-evolving creative force.

Since shifting from recording and producing trap music to his latest venture as film director, T.I. consistently offers fresh perspectives that keep audiences invested in what he has to say.

His film, Da 'Partments, made available on Tubi in December 2025, amplifies culturally conscious voices by chronicling the everyday realities of Black life in the "hood"--told from a distinctive and imaginative perspective: that of a literal apartment building. By positioning the building itself as the narrator, T.I. creates a communal lens through which individual stories unfold.

The film evokes memories of Tip's iconic acting role in ATL. Much like that earlier work, Da 'Partments relies on narration to ground the story. Here, however, T.I. embodies the all-knowing apartment complex, serving as both observer and storyteller. The film embraces classic hood archetypes: gossiping porch sitters, sharp-tongued card players, curious children, water boys, and the wise elders who quietly oversee it all. Above all, Da 'Partments is rich in humor and heart.

Through comedy, T.I. captures a defining aspect of Black culture--the ability to find joy and laughter amid hardship. The film highlights how communities transform disadvantage into resilience, creativity, and opportunity, using humor as both survival strategy and cultural expression while navigating racial and economic segregation.

For culturally conscious viewers, the film presents three major takeaways:

Black people are educated.

The film challenges the misconception that poverty equates to ignorance. It underscores how systemic poverty fuels generational poverty--a cycle that can persist for decades without meaningful financial intervention. Da 'Partments spotlights three influential figures who have reinvested in their communities through housing and business development: T.I. himself, 2 Chainz, and Killer Mike. The narrative also addresses chronic barriers such as limited access to healthy food, healthcare, and quality education--direct consequences of economic deprivation. Yet, despite these obstacles, the film emphasizes how Black communities continue to educate themselves through alternative means, including social media, newspapers, and shared knowledge.

Black people understand the origins of their struggle.

The film directly confronts the systemic racism that gave rise to the ghetto--also known as the housing projects--placing present-day realities within their historical and political context. Techwood, is identified as Atlanta's first public housing development as well as the first government funded housing development in the United States. The film also addresses how gentrification has devastated surrounding neighborhoods and continues to threaten their own--operating as a system that displaces low-income residents while erasing long-standing communities.

Black people embrace community.

Within the community, mutual respect among residents is evident. They function as an extended family, looking out for one another and taking collective responsibility for their environment. Clear boundaries are drawn for outsiders--the eyes and ears of the block know who belongs and who does not. When trespassers or violators disrupt the community, they are confronted and held accountable according to the unwritten codes of the hood.

Every individual plays a role in maintaining the neighborhood's rhythm and survival. Da 'Partments underscores a fundamental truth: Black communities understand the power of unity and the necessity of coming together to protect what is theirs.

Da 'Partments was written, produced, and directed by T.I. in collaboration with Haha Mafia and 85 South. Watch it on Tubi and Amazon Prime streaming services.

Grand Hustle Films

Da 'Partments: When the Hood Tells Its Own Story

by Alaina Coats

January 4, 2026

In his directorial debut, T.I. blends comedy and history to tell a story of Black survival.