T.I. Says He’d ‘Rather Be Will Smith Than Jay-Z’

While most would kill for the success that Jay-Z has accumulated in his four decades on this planet, T.I. is saying he'd have chosen retirement.

"I'm not going to be the 40-year-old rapper. I would not," the 29-year-old "King of the South" explained in an interview with CNN. "That's Jay. He's doing it very well. Hats off, but I just don't see that for me."

"If I had the option to [be] Jay-Z [or] Will Smith, I think I'd go with Will," he continued. "I'm a Jay-Z fan. I have a lot of admiration and respect for Jay and his legacy. But I feel like Will, he gets to spend more time with his family. He gets to be home more and actually raise his kids. I feel like he has more of a home life ... and the money don't hurt. Twenty million dollars a flick ain't bad."

Tip, who has appeared in several films, including 'ATL' and 'American Gangster,' explained that he prefers the work schedule of the screen actor to that of a musician. "You're on set 12 hours, you go home. Music, it ain't got no hours," he said, though he was quick to add that he'll still be involved in music, just not necessarily behind the mic. "I will still definitely have my hands in music 'cause I have a passion for music. I still will produce music, I still will write music, I still will executive produce music, I still will put artists out through my label, create opportunities and cultivate careers."

T.I. will be starring in a new film, 'Takers,' which will be released on August 20. His seventh album 'King Uncaged' will be in stores August 17.