۩ -T.I- ۩

Labeled Jay-Z from the South by Pharrell Williams, T.I. unquestionably possesses all the quality needed to receive such title looking from the superb talent and skills he has shown through his growing career in American music industry. A native of Atlanta Georgia born Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. on September 25, 1980, this good-looking guy has been rapping since he was still a nine-year-old boy to then sign deal with Arista Records subsidiary LaFace Records at the age of merely nineteen. Initially went under the moniker of T.I.P., a version of his childhood nickname Tip, he later shortened it to T.I. out of respect for fellow rapper Q-Tip who also joined the company as its recording artist. His debut album, "I'm Serious", afterwards was released in October 2001 and resulted moderately well as it managed to enter the top 30 of Billboard Top R&B Hip-Hop chart, evoking people to begin taking notice on him. However, instead of continuing the mutual cooperation with the label, this young rapper decided to go separately shortly thereafter to establish his own recording company, Grand Hustle, thus produced his underground CD of "In Da Streets" which surprisingly sold for about 20,000 copies. Also received quite a buzz due to the high TV airing of his collaboration with Bone Crusher in the artist's hit single, "Never Scared", the attainment consequently brought his name to other music records' attention. Eventually chose to join Atlantic Records, T.I. did not waste any single time to work on his subsequent album and quickly came up with "Trap Muzik" on August 19, 2003. All his perseverance plus dedication were proven really worthy when the sophomore effort rocketed to the fourth rank of The Billboard 200 besides reached number two on Billboard Top R&B Hip-Hop chart. Bolstered by catchy yet gritty tunes of "24's"," "Rubber Band Man," and "Let's Get Away", the record certainly found no difficulty in scoring tremendous sale to finally earn Platinum status from RIAA. This attainment unmistakably propelled the charming fellow to national prominence, elevating him to be one of the South's most electrifying young rappers in that year. Aimed to strive harder with his next project, T.I. carefully constructed his materials while cleverly assembled collaborations with other hip-hop artists, such as B.G., Nelly, Lil Wayne, plus Mannie Fresh. Entitled "Urban Legend", this third major album was then launched by August 2004 to encounter a magnificent outcome for it directly topped Billboard Top R&B Hip-Hop and secured the seventh rank on The Billboard 200. Sold over 1.3 million copies in U.S alone, it subsequently was certified double Platinum within a short time, becoming the fastest-selling album in history by South artist. In the meantime, the record also generated several hits, namely "Bring Em Out", "U Don't Know Me", and "ASAP", which all charted in the top 20 of Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. Following this tremendous achievement, various prestigious accolades showered him continuously, most notably that of a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance through single "U Don't Know Me" in 2006. Also marked the year with his foray into film industry through a Warner Bros production of "ATL" slated to be launched on March 31st, T.I. continued his path in hip-hop mainstream confidently under the self-proclaimed nickname of King of the South, constructing his next work entitled "King" which has been scheduled for a March 28th release. "This album is a solidification of why I call myself the 'King of the South,' why I'm known as that, and a continued progression of what I've done musically and with my career," he said firmly.