Known for his digitized musical stylings created on Autotune, T. Pain has captured music listeners with hits such as, "Chopped and Screwed," "Can't Believe It" and "Buy U A Drank."
With his album Thr33 Rings released this year, T. Pain is taking his show on the road through Jan. 11. Catch this popular hip hop and R&B artist in D.C. on Dec. 30 at the Verizon Center. NBCWASHINGTON.com got the chance to talk with the busy artist about his new tour, his album and his rise to the top of the charts.
NBCWASHINGTON.com:You're at a height in your music career and titled your album Thr33 rings after many have called you the ringleader of the game. What makes you the ringleader of the game?
T. Pain: I’m cracking the whip I’m getting all the action together. You know, just taming that lion and putting the spotlight on other people instead of myself. The ringleader usually comes out and puts the spotlight on another act. You never see the ringleader trying to take the spotlight all the time. He gets one good act in then he’s in the back putting on the next act.
NBCWASHINGTON.com:How do you think this album compares to past albums?
T. Pain: It’s just more like a growth, a natural growth. Once you make so much music you go back and listen to make it sound better. You make it feel better and go ahead and be better. It’s a natural progression. Everything gets better with time.
NBCWASHINGTON.com:You've made mention that alot of your songs actually draw from your own experience. Have you recently been chopped and screwed?
T. Pain: Yea, a whole bunch of times. Everybody gets chopped and screwed plenty of times everyday.
NBCWASHINGTON.com: Have you helped out any strippers lately?
T. Pain: Not lately but I have before.
NBCWASHINGTON.com:You're almost like the go-to person for collaborations now you've collaborated with Ludacris, DJ Khalid, Chris Brown and so many others and most of the times you sing the hook. What's it like to be the go-to hook guy?
T. Pain: I mean it’s awesome. I guess I know what Wayne and Akon felt like when they were doing it. I guess I’m the guy now and I’m going to take that for as long as I can take it.
NBCWASHINGTON.com:Your tour started on Dec. 14 and you're headed to DC on the 30th, how do you feel about coming to the capitol?
T. Pain: I actually just left there like a week and a half ago. It was pretty cool. I was deejaying at a club there. And right before I was just at Love. I’ve been there a couple of times before. Before I got started I was there with Akon a couple of times.
NBCWASHINGTON.com:What are your future plans?
T. Pain: I don’t really have any future plans I’m just pretty much that guy that do what he do. It’s really not my place to make plans; that’s God’s job.
NBCWASHINGTON.com:Thanks so much for your time and speaking with us.
T. Pain: You're welcome.
