The Evolution of T.I.

Follow the highs and lows of the king.

T.I. - Clifford Harris Jr. will officially be finished serving his one-year jail stint in March 2010, although he’s expected to be released to a halfway house by Christmas. If 2008’s “Paper Trail” is any indication of what the King of the South can do while on lockdown, than we can expect fire. Oh, and he’s set to star in the upcoming crime thriller, “Takers,” alongside Matt Dillon, Idris Elba and Chris Brown.

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The Evolution of T.I. - T.I. is a long way from "the trap." Since bursting onto the scene in 2001, the rapper has released five platinum albums, launched his Grand Hustle imprint and become a movie star (ATL, American Gangster, Takers). To celebrate his birthday today [September 25], we take a look at the evolution of T.I.’s career.

False Start - Then signed to Arista Records, T.I. released I’m Serious. Bold and cocky, the rapper proclaimed himself “King of the South” before his debut album even hit stores. Despite receiving good reviews, the album tanked commercially.

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False Start - Then signed to Arista Records, T.I. released I’m Serious. Bold and cocky, the rapper proclaimed himself “King of the South” before his debut album even hit stores. Despite receiving good reviews, the album tanked commercially.

Square One - After getting dropped from Arista, Tip went back to work on the mixtape circuit and generated a buzz big enough to spark bidding wars between several labels. In the end, he signed with Atlantic Records.

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Square One - After getting dropped from Arista, Tip went back to work on the mixtape circuit and generated a buzz big enough to spark bidding wars between several labels. In the end, he signed with Atlantic Records.

Told You So - Capitalizing on his own momentum, Tip next dropped Trap Muzik, an album many consider to be his best work, in 2003. Led by singles like “24,” “Let’s Get Away” and “Rubberband Man,” the LP went platinum.

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Told You So - Capitalizing on his own momentum, Tip next dropped Trap Muzik, an album many consider to be his best work, in 2003. Led by singles like “24,” “Let’s Get Away” and “Rubberband Man,” the LP went platinum.

Setbacks - With Trap Muzik approaching platinum status, Tip was sent to prison on a parole violation charge. He was released in 2004.

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Setbacks - With Trap Muzik approaching platinum status, Tip was sent to prison on a parole violation charge. He was released in 2004.

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Back-to-Back - Striking while the iron was hot, Tip released Urban Legend soon after his release from jail in 2004. Featuring singles like “Bring Em’ Out” and “U Don’t Know Me,” the LP marked his second consecutive platinum release.

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Back-to-Back - Striking while the iron was hot, Tip released Urban Legend soon after his release from jail in 2004. Featuring singles like “Bring Em’ Out” and “U Don’t Know Me,” the LP marked his second consecutive platinum release.

Coronation - Tip reached superstar status in 2006 with the release of King, his fourth LP. The CD coincided with his big-screen debut in ATL, and the lead single "What You Know" served as the flick’s unofficial theme song.

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Coronation - Tip reached superstar status in 2006 with the release of King, his fourth LP. The CD coincided with his big-screen debut in ATL, and the lead single "What You Know" served as the flick’s unofficial theme song.

ATL, T.I., Jason Weaver, Jackie Long, BET Star Cinema, Flicks of the Week

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Hollywood - A year after the success of ATL, Tip secured a role in American Gangster alongside Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. He followed that performance up by starring in Takers, (2010) a film that featured Idris Elba, Chris Brown, Matt Dillon, Paul Walker and Michael Ealy. He also produced the movie.

Judge is Disappointed in T.I. - Weeks after the rapper’s arrest on drug charges in L.A., U.S. District Judge Charles Pannell Jr. ordered T.I. to come to court in Atlanta and tell him why his probation shouldn’t be revoked. “We are very disappointed in Mr. Harris’ recent conduct," a U.S. Attorney said in Friday’s statement. "We will make our sentencing recommendation at the revocation hearing.” According to the order, the rapper possessed ecstasy, tested positive for opiates and associated with a convicted felon.

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Grand Hustler - With his career now on track, T.I. began releasing projects from other artists on his Grand Hustle imprint. To date, they’ve dropped projects from Young Dro, B.o.B., Eightball & MJG and DJ Drama.

Split Personality - The "King of The South" continued his platinum ways with the album, "T.I. Vs. T.I.P."

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Split Personality - The "King of The South" continued his platinum ways with the album, "T.I. Vs. T.I.P."

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A Year and A Day - Only days before the 2007 BET Hip-Hop Awards, Tip was arrested for attempting to purchase guns in an Atlanta parking lot. A convicted felon, he faced up to 10 years in prison, but his sentence was reduced to a year and a day when the judge saw the positive influence he could have on the community.

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A Year and A Day - Only days before the 2007 BET Hip-Hop Awards, Tip was arrested for attempting to purchase guns in an Atlanta parking lot. A convicted felon, he faced up to 10 years in prison, but his sentence was reduced to a year and a day when the judge saw the positive influence he could have on the community.

What's Beef? - Tip had his share of feuds in the beginning of his career. While he held grudges early on (Lil’ Flip), he’s now willing to let bygones be bygones. Things escalated, though, when he and Ludacris traded disses on Young Buck’s “Stomp.” The two later made peace and appeared on each other’s respective albums. He also feuded with Shawty Lo, only to squash it later.

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What's Beef? - Tip had his share of feuds in the beginning of his career. While he held grudges early on (Lil’ Flip), he’s now willing to let bygones be bygones. Things escalated, though, when he and Ludacris traded disses on Young Buck’s “Stomp.” The two later made peace and appeared on each other’s respective albums. He also feuded with Shawty Lo, only to squash it later.

Road to Redemption - With his sentence approaching, Tip logged countless hours of community service and lectured in schools. His MTV show, "Road to Redemption," documented Tip as he reached out to at-risk kids and tried to help them change their lives for the better.

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Road to Redemption - With his sentence approaching, Tip logged countless hours of community service and lectured in schools. His MTV show, "Road to Redemption," documented Tip as he reached out to at-risk kids and tried to help them change their lives for the better.

The Best Part - In the months leading up to his sentence on federal gun charges, Tip released Paper Trail. The LP marked a change in content for the rapper. Gone were the tales from "the trap." Instead, the disc featured uplifting and inspiring songs like “Live Your Life” featuring Rihanna. The LP’s his biggest selling release to date.

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The Best Part - In the months leading up to his sentence on federal gun charges, Tip released Paper Trail. The LP marked a change in content for the rapper. Gone were the tales from "the trap." Instead, the disc featured uplifting and inspiring songs like “Live Your Life” featuring Rihanna. The LP’s his biggest selling release to date.

Wrong Turn - Seemingly turning over a new leaf since his release from prison in March 2010, things took a turn for the worse when Tip was arrested for drug possesion in Los Angeles six months later. The cops pulled the rapper over after the car he was in made an illegal U-turn.

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Wrong Turn - Seemingly turning over a new leaf since his release from prison in March 2010, things took a turn for the worse when Tip was arrested for drug possesion in Los Angeles six months later. The cops pulled the rapper over after the car he was in made an illegal U-turn.

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T.I. Scolding Diddy for Belittling Party Guests Who Were Not Drinking Ciroc  - “Puff, you got too much money for that motherf---ing sh-t nicca. Let that nicca drink what the f–k they wanna drink, man, f–k that s--t.”

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Despite a solid plea from his lawyers and a heroic effort (saving a suicidal man), a judge sent Tip back to prison on a parole violation in October 2010. Two months later he released his seventh studio album, No Mercy. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/PictureGroup)

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Homecoming - T.I. is back! The rapper was released from federal prison a month early to finish his sentence in an Atlanta halfway house.