[update] VH1 Follows Multi-Platinum Rapper T.I. in New Series

VH1 is teaming up with multi-platinum recording artist and America’s top selling rapper T.I. as he re-adjusts to life as a free man after being incarcerated for nearly a year in a Federal prison in Arkansas. In the new untitled T.I. series premiering December 5 at 10PM*, viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the most private and personal moments of one of today’s hottest, most sought after Grammy winning artists as he is reunited with his wife and kids and thrust back into society at this crucial juncture in his life.

The half hour 10-episode series follows the “King of the South” at his most vulnerable state, as he is released from an 11 month Federal prison term, his second stint in three years. Along the way we will see T.I. re-acclimate back into his life as a father, husband, son and friend, as well as a musician, a clothier, a businessman, and an actor (he last starred in and produced Sony’s film TAKERS which opened number one at the box office the weekend prior to his arrest). We will also witness T.I. behind the scenes in studio as he goes about recording yet another likely Grammy-award winning album. All the while with T.I. needing to abide by a new set of restrictions and obstacles due to his probation terms. Can the King stay on the straight and narrow while juggling the chaos of his kingdom?

Viewers will also get a glimpse into the very loving and always fascinating relationship between T.I. and his wife Tameka (aka “Tiny”), who has faithfully stood by T.I.’s side through it all and who herself was a former member of 90’s Grammy winning pop group Xscape. Tameka and T.I. are passionately in love, but both know that this previous incarceration has to be his last. The mother of two of T.I.’s children, along with her own fifteen-year-old daughter, Tameka was forced to hold down the fort while T.I. was behind bars. Viewers will also be introduced to the OMG GIRLZ, a sizzling new up-and-coming pop group that Tameka manages. With T.I. back on his throne, we will watch as he reclaims his kingdom, rebuilds his businesses, and reconnects with his family and friends. Most importantly though, we will see T.I. adjusting to life with a new set of rules, so as to never again repeat the devastating mistakes of his past.

“Viewers have always connected with T.I. and we are definitely thrilled to show the next chapter of this incredible artist’s riveting life with this new series,” said Jeff Olde, EVP, Original Programming and Production VH1. “T.I is such a multi-talented artist and actor, and though he has had some setbacks, there is no doubt he will use his considerable talents to get back on top of both the music and film business.”

The untitled T.I. series is created and executive produced by 51 Minds’ Cris Abrego, Christian Sarabia, Rabih Gholam and Ben Samek (CAPI), as well as Category 5 Entertainment’s Brian Sher and Stella Bulochnikov (“T.I.’S Road to Redemption”). For VH1, the series is executive produced by Jill Holmes, Kristen Kelly and Jeff Olde.

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BREAKING: T.I. Released from Prison!
TMZ Reports: Rapper T.I. has been released from an Arkansas prison — and is on his way to either a community living facility or home confinement … TMZ has learned.

T.I. was sentenced to 11 months behind bars after his drug possession arrest on the Sunset Strip back in September 2010 — an arrest that caused law enforcement officials to revoke his probation stemming from a federal gun conviction back in 2009.

Chris Burke, spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, tells us T.I. was released at 7:29 AM local time … and is “in transit” to begin the next leg of his sentence.

T.I. checked into prison on November 1, 2010 — and he was originally scheduled to be released on September 29.

6:50 AM: T.I. is already back on Twitter — and just fired off a message saying, “The storm is over & da sun back out. IT’S OUR TIME TO SHINE SHAWTY!!!!! Welcome to the beginning of our Happy Ending!!!!”

He also wrote, “Feels great to be back where I belong…Back in the arms of those who need me the most.”