Once dubbed "the Jay-Z of the South" by Pharrell Williams, T.I. gradually came into his own and established himself as one of rap's greatest and most successful MCs during the early 2000s. Like Jay-Z, T.I. -- born {$Cliff...
2008: Paper Trail
This album, written while under house arrest for his gun felonies, debuted at Number One on the charts. It featured guest stars Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Lil' Wayne, Kanye West, and John Legend.
2008: T.I. pleads guilty to his two weapons-possession felonies. He is sentenced to a year in jail, to be served once he completes 1,000 hours of community service.
2007: T.I. appears in his second movie, American Gangster. Midyear, he brawls with Ludacris' manager Chaka Zulu, which he would later blame on his alter-ego, T.I.P. In Fall, he is arrested four hours before the BET Hip-Hop Awards and charged with two felonies.
2007: T.I. vs. T.I.P.
This is the first T.I. album not to feature production from DJ Toomp & The Neptunes.
2007: T.I.'s collaboration with Justin Timberlake, "My Love," is a runaway smash hit and wins a Grammy. T.I. and Justin perform the tune live on Grammy night.
2006: King
This album debuted at No. 1, and was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2007 Grammy Awards. Single "What You Know" won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance and was nominated for Best Rap Song.
2006: T.I. begins work on the feature film ATL, in which he plays the lead role. This marks his acting debut. The film was released at the end of March and was a box-office and critical success.
2004: Urban Legend
This disc featured Trick Daddy, Nelly, Lil' Jon, B.G., Mannie Fresh, Daz Dillinger, Lil Wayne, Pharrell, P$C, Lil' Kim, and Big Kuntry King. Single "Bring Em Out," produced by Swizz Beatz, was a smash hit.
2004: T.I. shocks fans at an Atlanta radio station concert by challenging his arch rival, Lil' Flip, to come out on the stage and tell him to his face who the king of the South is.
2003: While on tour, T.I. is charged with violating probation over a 1997 drug charge. He turns himself in and is sentenced to three years in prison, where he is granted a work-release program to continue making music.
2003: Trap Muzik
This album, released through Grand Hustle, debuted at No. 4 and featured guest appearances by Eightball & MJG, Jazze Pha, and Bun B. Producers included Jazze Pha, Kanye West, and David Banner.
2003: After disappointing debut sales, T.I. is dropped from LaFace. He begins releasing mixtapes, causing an underground buzz, then starts Grand Hustle Records with Jason Geter.
2001: I'm Serious
T.I.'s debut album featured a long guest-star list: Pharrell of The Neptunes, Too Short, YoungBloodZ, Pastor Troy, Bone Crusher, Lil Jon, Beenie Man and Jazze Pha.
2001: Rapper Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., called "Tip" after his great-grandfather, signs with Arista Records subsidiary LaFace Records. Shortly after, he changes his nickname to "T.I." out of respect for label mate Q-Tip.
