Rapper, unhealthy actor and reality star T.I. has seen his fair share of trouble in the past but over the years has done a transformation which can be seen on his hit VH1 show “T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle.”

During an interview with XXL magazine, T.I. said that his label since 2003’s “Trap Muzik,” Atlantic Records, was not a fan of his new image and personal transformation. Although his last album went gold and his new project “Trouble Man” nearly followed suit, the label was looking to see the platinum sales from seven years ago.

“Nah, [Atlantic Records] hated it,” expressed the Grand Hustle Records founder. “Labels love hardcore T.I. That keeps the cash register ringing. They don’t want me to go to prison and caught though. They want me to be the Teflon Don, and I can’t blame them,” he said, likely referring to Gambino Family mob boss John Gotti’s longtime nickname. “That shit’s sexy. But I’m older, man. I’m wiser, I’m calmer… I’m better, stronger. I’m ready for whatever tomorrow got coming.”

XXL asked T.I. about his 2001 debut “I’m Serious,” his only release with Ghet-O-Vision/Arista Records which is his lowest-selling LP to date but remains a fan-favorite.

“I thought I’d be in prison or dead or back selling crack,” said T.I. “I came so close to getting back in the game after my first album didn’t do what it was supposed to do. I still had people to feed. I wasn’t front lines like I was at one time, but I definitely…I’m not going to talk anymore about that.”