T.I. ROCKETS TO THE TOP WITH NEW SINGLE; “WHATEVER YOU LIKE” BREAKS ALL-TIME RECORD FOR BIGGEST-EVER JUMP TO #1 ON BILLBOARD’S “HOT 100”; CHART-TOPPING SUCCESS SPURRED BY EXPLOSIVE SINGLE SALES; SINGLE SCORES “MOST INCREASED PLAYS” AT URBAN & RHYTHMIC; “PAPER TRAIL” DROPS EVERYWHERE ON SEPTEMBER 30TH
Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I. has made history with his new single, “Whatever You Like.” The record-setting track has rocketed into the #1 spot on this week’s Billboard “Hot 100,” marking the biggest-ever one-week leap to the top of the chart. Now in its third week on the chart, the single has ascended into the pole position from last week’s ranking at #71. “Whatever You Like” is the first single from the Grammy Award-winning rapper’s much-anticipated new album, “PAPER TRAIL,” due in stores and at all online retailers on September 30th.
The single’s #1 success represents the first solo chart-topper of T.I.’s remarkable career, and second overall following “My Love,” his Grammy-winning collaboration with Justin Timberlake. “Whatever You Like” – produced by Jim Jonsin, whose many credits include Lil Wayne’s #1 smash, “Lollipop” – is also #1 on the week’s “Hot Digital Songs” chart, with stunning first-week sales exceeding 205,000 downloads.
“Whatever You Like” is currently exploding at radio, scoring the week’s “Most Increased Plays” at both Rhythmic and Urban outlets outlets nationwide. The track is already a bulleted top 10 smash at Urban and is climbing the top 25 at Rhythmic. In addition, the “Whatever You Like” companion video – directed by Dave Meyers (Missy Elliot, Kid Rock) – is in large rotation on BET and Rap City and maximum rotation of all MTV channels.
“No Matter What,” the first street track and video from “PAPER TRAIL,” has proven an online blockbuster, earning over one million views at T.I.’s official YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/TIvsTIP. In addition, the clip has earned the ATL-based artist a nod for “Best Male Video” – directed by Self and James Lopez - at the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards. The multiple Grammy Award-winning superstar will be among the live performers at the annual extravaganza, set to air on Sunday, September 7th on MTV (check local listings).
The coming weeks will see T.I. featured in a stunning array of national publications, XXL, Vibe, Blender, Rolling Stone, and King. The rapper will also be making a number of TV appearances in the days surrounding the release of “PAPER TRAIL,” including MTV’s TRL and BET’s 106 & Park – full details will be announced shortly.
T.I., has also recently passed the 2 million friend mark on his official MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/trapmuzik), setting a new record by a hip hop artist. In addition, T.I.’s MySpace page is among the top five viewed pages daily. Earlier this year, Tip found additional success in cyberspace, with the launch of the social networking website, www.streetcred.com.
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“PAPER TRAIL” is T.I. at his best – melding emotive moments like the harrowing “My Life, Your Entertainment” with celebratory anthems such as the cocky ”What Up, What’s Haapnin.” In addition to the aforementioned Swizz Beatz, the production roster includes such studio stars as Danja (Timbaland, Madonna, Usher), DJ Toomp (Kanye West, Missy Elliot, Young Jeezy) and Drumma Boy (Paul Wall, Rick Ross, Yung Joc). The result is T.I.’s most potent and important LP to date.
“PAPER TRAIL” follows T.I.’s two previous #1 blockbusters, 2007’s “T.I. vs T.I.P.” and 2006’s RIAA platinum-certified “KING.” With an unparalleled track record of hit singles – including “Top Back,” “Big Things Poppin’ (Do It),” “Why You Wanna,” and the Grammy Award-winning “What You Know” – T.I. is without question one of hip-hop’s greatest stars. In addition to his multiple Grammy Awards, T.I. has been the recipient of a wide variety of honors, including BET Awards, BET Hip-Hop Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.
An accomplished actor as well as a gifted rapper and live performer, T.I. has played acclaimed roles in the major motion pictures ATL and American Gangster. He will be starring in the upcoming Screen Gems film entitled Bone Deep. He will also make a cameo appearance on the new season of HBO’s Entourage.
In 2009, T.I. will be tackling television with an inspirational documentary series airing on MTV. The yet-to-be-titled series will center on the rapper’s life on probation in the year leading up to his impending year-long jail sentence. Added to these endeavors is his much-anticipated clothing line Akoo, which will be in stores this fall.
