Grammy Award-winning artist T-Pain is using his 20 years in the music industry to launch an anniversary tour that includes a show in Tallahassee.
The tour was officially announced June 3, including a show Oct. 17 at the Tucker Civic Center — the same weekend of Florida A&M University’s homecoming.
The news comes a day after wide speculation online that the “I’m Sprung” rapper was flirting with retirement after he dropped a video saying “it’s been a great ride” and he needed time to take a step back.
But the Tallahassee native and now Atlanta resident (whose real name is Faheem Najm) was building some megawatt buzz for the “TP20” tour, including stops in Cleveland and New York City, for example.
In the five-minute, high-production announcement video, T-Pain flashes images of his early years in music and his rise to fame. He talks about being the “Hook King” and, when criticized, the “Punchline,” when some thought his time in the spotlight had dimmed.
Quite the opposite, he says, donning a cream and black tuxedo and a diamond-crusted chain while sipping cognac in a palatial mansion: “Something that used to feel like chaos now feels like a masterpiece.”
“Twenty years ago, I was just Faheem. Just a kid from Tallahassee with a handful of harmonies and a heart that refused to shut up,” he said, sitting pensively in the video as he reflected on his journey.
The announcement includes a montage of concert clips and interviews, including those from local radio personalities and autograph signings like the one in November 2024, near the community center off of what is now called “T-Pain Lane.”
DJ Dap, program director for Cumulus Radio and WWLD-FM and an on-air personality on Blazin’ 102.3 FM, said he thinks it’s great that T-Pain is launching an anniversary tour.
“A lot of people don’t know that he’s been in the game for 20 years doing what he’s doing. So I think he should absolutely do it,” said Dap, whose interview is one of those used for the announcement.
The arc of his storied career is one he wants to celebrate: One of ridicule when hip hop royalty and recording mogul Jay-Z took aim at T-Pain’s unique sound with “D.O.A.,” which stands for Death of Autotune, but also of chart-topping collaborations that include Kanye West, DJ Khaled and Glorilla.
His career extends beyond music. He has evolved into an entrepreneur with his Nappy Boy Entertainment and dabbled in online gaming with Nappy Boy Gaming, along with a beverage company, Nappy Boy Dranks.
He’s also starred in cooking show competitions with Tallahassee-based chef Leon Brunson, owner of Leon’s at Lake Ella, and launched the “T-Pain’s School of Business” in 2018, which aired for two seasons. T-Pain also won the debut season of “The Masked Singer” in 2019.
At this point, T-Pain said, anyone who comes to shows in the fall isn’t just a fan. They’re family now.
“I’m not just throwing a concert. I’m throwing the most extravagant party and celebration that I’ve ever thrown in my life,” he said.
“Come celebrate the 20 years of ‘Team Pain’ that we’ve all loved and gone through and the next 20 years that nobody’s ready for.”
Contact Economic Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com and follow @tamarynwaters on X.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: T-Pain announces 20-year anniversary tour that includes Tallahassee concert
Reporting by TaMaryn Waters, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
