Rapper T.I. ‘Confused’ by Invitation to Perform With Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift made A-list duets a common occurrence on her Speak Now Tour this year, often inviting artists from different genres to the stage to sing their hit songs with her in big cities. Sometimes, however, her choice of who to sing with was as big of a surprise to the artist performing with her as it was to the unsuspecting crowd. Notable rapper T.I., for instance, says he was "confused" by her invitation -- which came just two days after he got out of prison.

"I was pleasantly surprised and confused," T.I. recalled. "I was confused because I know it's a phenomenal opportunity, but being T.I. -- the Rubberband Man -- and Taylor Swift being America's Sweetheart, I had just gotten out of prison like two days [earlier] and all of a sudden my phone rings."

The 31-year-old performer, whose real name is Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr., was fresh off of an 11-month prison sentence for drug charges and violation of parole when he received Swift's call. On Oct. 2, just days after being released from a halfway house, T.I. appeared on stage at Swift's Atlanta concert to sing his hit 'Live Your Life.'

"There were significant differences in a Taylor Swift show from a T.I. show," he revealed to MTV News, amused by the experience. "You could take the biggest of the biggest hip-hop artists -- even a Kanye West or Jay-Z show -- and their concerts or tours, they gon' be just a world away from a [Taylor Swift] show."

T.I. added, however, that his adventure in Swift's world was an especially pleasant one. "Everything is so calm and cool and arranged and on time, and everything is so neat and people are quiet and polite. Everything just flows smoothly, not a hitch, not a wrinkle, not a hiccup," he explained. "Whereas hip-hop shows, no matter how big the production, no matter how elaborate it is, it's always friction and ups and downs. With her, everything was smooth; nobody raised their voice."

VH1 will highlight the rapper's experience with the pop-country icon on the third episode of his new reality show, 'T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle,' which premiered on Monday.