KING |

Personnel: T.I. (rap vocals); Jamie Foxx, Pharrell Williams (vocals); Common, Governor, PSC, UGK, Young Buck, Young Jeezy, Young Dro (rap vocals).
Scheduled to coincide with the release of his film ATL, the album KING indicates that 2006 may be the year for Southern rapper T.I. The Atlanta native had already established a strong track record with an impressive run of singles and three solid studio albums prior to the release of KING, but his 2006 effort is his most polished and consistent to date.
T.I.'s delivery is fluid and drawn out, and his rhymes tackle subjects typical to the gangsta rap milieu. The musical approach on KING isn't much different from the rapper's previous releases, but it's nonetheless better, with tighter rhymes, more assured execution, and superior production. In fact, it's the latter that gives KING its gleam: T.I. is backed by expansive, innovative tracks that set the stage for the next generation of Southern rap.

• Released: 2006-03-28
• Format: CD
• Genre: R&B