T.I. Claims Hip-Hop Crown With "King," Reps Hometown With "ATL"

T.I. has a busy March ahead, making his film debut in ATL the same week as he drops his latest album, King.

T.I. (born Tip Harris) will join the ranks of other rappers who've stepped up their repertoire to include film when the Overbrook/Warner Bros. movie ATL opens on the big screen March 31, just three days after his Grand Hustle/Atlantic release King hits in stores.

The Chris Robinson-directed film, which also stars Big Boi, follows a group of four friends who have just graduated from high school in Atlanta. T.I. plays the lead character Rashad. The film also spotlights local skating rink Jellybeans, a popular hangout for both Robinson and T.I. in their teenage years in Atlanta.

Robinson also directed the video for "What You Know," the first single from King, earlier this month in Los Angeles. The video follows a day in the life of T.I.-attending the premiere of ATL and then joining the film's cast at the theater before hitting the after party. Actor Mike Epps and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker make cameos in the video.

"What You Know" as well as King tracks "Ride Wit Me" and a remake of the UGK classic "Front, Back" will also be featured in the film.

T.I. has already lined up promotional events for both King and ATL, scheduling album listening parties and movie premieres in Houston, Dallas, Chicago and Detroit the week before both projects drop in addition to appearances at larger premieres in Atlanta and L.A. the week of March 27.

In related news, T.I. is sponsoring two teen girls with his It's Cool To Be Smart "Single Parent Initiative" as part of his ongoing work with the local Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta.

Source: www.SOHH.com