T.I. Makes A Grand Hustle, Joins Lil Wayne, Kanye West & Drake's Team

Grammy-winning rapper T.I. has given his management team a complete makeover by deciding to join forces with the same company responsible for managing the careers of Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Drake.

According to reports, Tip has aligned himself with management company Hip Hop Since 1978.

T.I. who co-founded his own record label Grand Hustle Entertainment with longtime manager Jason Geter in 2003 and has been operating under the Warner umbrella with distribution by Atlantic Records since, will now also be represented by Hip Hop Since 1978, the firm that also represents Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Drake and others. "Gee's always been a big part of our operation just not in the capacity of manager," said T.I., in reference to "Gee" Roberson, HHS1978's co-CEO, who recently left his position as VP of A&R at Atlantic Records to become Chairman at Geffen. (Billboard Biz)

Despite the big move, the Atlanta rapper will still maintain the services of manager Jason Geter.

When asked when the arrangement with HHS1978 was formalized, T.I. demurred. "Once again, it's a team, it's a collective," he said. "It's an unconventional arrangement as far as management. Of course you also have Grand Hustle management - Jason still maintains his position. You have Gee and [Hip Hop Since] '78 who come in with their expertise in several areas, who works alongside [Jason]. And then you got Category 5, Brian Sher [founder of Category 5 Entertainment, formerly of ICM], who's there from the film and television area. I've got different pieces of management who have extreme levels of expertise in their areas... We feel that's the best way to have appropriate execution and to take advantage of all the opportunities that are ever present in the marketplace for me." (Billboard Biz)

Last May, reports emerged online claiming Young Money's Nicki Minaj signed to Hip Hop Since 1978.

A source close to Nicki Minaj has confirmed to XXLMag.com exclusively that the femcee has parted ways with Diddy and James Cruz, her managers since she left Debra Antney's firm, and is now being managed by Gee Roberson and Kyambo "Hip Hop" Joshua over at Hip-Hop Since 1978. HHS1978 also has Lil Wayne, Drake, Young Jeezy and Just Blaze on its roster. Although the reason for her departure isn't clear, another source tells XXL that Minaj was under the impression that Diddy would be more hands-on with her career, but was disappointed when she realized it wasn't the case. Apparently, according to the source, there are no hard feelings between Nicki Minaj, Diddy and Cruz. (XXL Mag)

Hip Hop Since 1978 have made numerous big business moves with their clients over the past few years.

If 2008 and 2009 are any indication, the future of Hip-Hop rests in the hands of Gee Roberson, Kyambo "Hip Hop" Joshua and their GM, Al Branch. While Gee and Hip Hop worked together for seven-and-a-half years as directors of A&R for the entire Roc-A-Fella roster, Al also worked there as general manager. After changing their company name in 2004 to Hip Hop Since 1978, co-CEOs Gee and Hip Hop haven't stopped working since. Together, the squad formed management company Rock Da World back in 1998, signing Kanye West as their first artist, followed by Just Blaze. Their powerful roster now includes Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy and newcomer Drake. A partial list of accomplishments from last year alone: Jeezy's Adidas campaign, Kanye's Glow in the Dark tour, Lil Wayne's I Am Music tour, the Nike Air Yeezys, the Nike LeBrons, Lil Wayne's Sixers spot, Lil Wayne's voiceover work for Gatorade's "What's G" campaign and Kanye's collaboration with Louis Vuitton on a special shoe collection. (Hip Hop Since 1978)