T.I. tried to persuade Keef to join his label.

Chief Keef recently revealed his decision to sign with Interscope Records, as well as the fact that he has inked a publishing deal with Dr. Dre.

However, Tip revealed recently that, prior to Keef’s decision, he had tried hard to persuade the up and comer to join his own Grand Hustle label. T.I. spoke to MTV about Keef’s choice, claiming that he was happy for the young artist, despite the fact that he had wanted him on the Grand Hustle roster.

"The opportunity existed, but I never put my own personal wishes before the best interest of the next person," he said. "I'm just happy that he's able to do whatever's best for him and his family and to move forward as a person and to progress in life. As long as he's doing that, I'm happy."

T.I. also praised Keef for giving voice to a disenfranchised element of American society.

"Chief Keef, I feel like he represents a part of America," he said. "He represents a part of the youth in America that ain't really got a voice right now. We looking at 'em, and we're seeing the results of their actions, but we ain't really listening to 'em, and I think you gotta have a representative of each generation in order to understand what they dealing with."

- By Fiona Guest