The city of Atlanta has gone from uncharted territory in the rap game to the epicenter of hip-hop for lose to two decades and T.I. has played a major part in that transition. While acts like OutKast and Jermaine Dupri and his So So Def roster put on for ATL during the 1990s, it wouldn't be until the first half of the aughts that the city's rap scene would emerge as a dominant factor in the overall direction of rap, with Tip right at the forefront of the southern explosion.

After the release of his debut album, I'm Serious, showed his potential but failed to top the charts, T.I. joined forces with his business partner Jason Geter, launching Grand Hustle Records. He found a new home to house his and Geter's brainchild in Atlantic Records and T.I. rebounded off his initial flop in a big way with his sophomore effort, Trap Muzik, in 2003.

Spawning numerous hit singles and rebranding T.I. as one of the brightest young talents in the South, Trap Muzik would earn the MC the first of what would be many platinum plaques and set the foundation for his wildly successful career. He continued to up the ante on his third album, Urban Legend, and by the time 2005 rolled around, T.I. was considered a king in waiting and firmly titled the crown on his dome with his 2006 album, King. The album may have been a watershed moment for the Bankhead rep, but it would be his 2008 offering, Paper Trail, that would see Tip reach the height of his powers. Since then, he's dropped No Mercy in 2010, Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head in 2012, and Paperwork two years ago.

Though his career has had its share of beefs and controversial moments, T.I. is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished rap artists of the new millennium and a heavy contender to end up on the Mt. Rushmore of the South when all is said and done. To show our appreciation for Tip, we've cued up 25 of the most memorable tracks that made him the King of the South.

  • "24's"

    T.I.
  • "ASAP"

    T.I.
  • "U Don't Know Me"

    T.I.
  • "Bring Em Out"

    T.I.
  • "Rubber Band Man"

    T.I.
  • "Why You Wanna"

    T.I.
  • "Let's Get Away"

    T.I.
  • "Live Your Life"

    T.I. Featuring Rihanna
  • "Whatever You Like"

  • "Big Things Poppin'"

    T.I.
  • "Dead & Gone"

    T.I. Featuring Justin Timberlake
  • "About the Money"

    T.I. Featuring Young Thug
  • "What's Up, Whats Haapnin'"

    T.I.
  • Watch What You Say to Me

    T.I. Featuring Jay Z
  • "Swagga Like Us"

    T.I. Featuring Kanye West, Jay Z, Lil Wayne
  • "Sorry"

    T.I. Featuring Andre 3000
  • "Doin My Job"

    T.I.
  • "Get Back Up"

    T.I. Featuring Chris Brown
  • "I'm Serious"

    T.I. Featuring Beenie Man
  • "Swing Ya Rag"

  • "No Matter What"

    T.I.
  • "What You Know About That"

    T.I.
  • "Top Back"

    T.I.
  • "Live in the Sky"

    T.I. Featuring Jamie Foxx
  • "Be Easy"

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