T.I. on acting, politics and being a TAKER [Exclusive Interview]

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BlackTree TV caught up with Rapper/Actor/Movie Producer T.I., to talk about his lead role in the new film Takers. How exactly did T.I. catch the acting bug?, you will have to watch to hear the answer to that.

TAKERS takes you into the world of a notorious group of criminals (Idris Elba, Paul Walker, T.I., Chris Brown, Hayden Christensen and Michael Ealy) who continue to baffle police by pulling off perfectly executed bank robberies. They are in and out like clockwork, leaving no evidence behind and laying low between heists. But when they attempt to pull off one last job with more money at stake than ever before, the crew may find their plans interrupted by a hardened detective (Matt Dillon) who is hell-bent on solving the case.

More on T.I....

TIP "T.I." HARRIS ("Ghost" and Producer) is one of his generation's most captivating speakers and one of the biggest hip-hop artists of all time. Whether they see him conversing with a room full of young people about staying in school and following their dreams, or moving tens of thousands at one of his concerts, audiences are always engrossed by the words of the "King of the South." In 2008, T.I. delivered his most potent and important LP to date, "Paper Trail." His highly anticipated seventh studio album "King Uncaged" hits stores on August 17th.

T.I.'s second professional love is acting in films and in this arena he has taken major steps forward in the last few years. He made his motion picture debut in 2006 in the Warner Bros. film A.T.L. He also appeared in the hit Universal film American Gangster opposite Denzel Washington, and guest starred on HBO's hit series "Entourage" in 2008. T.I. recently signed a three-picture deal with Screen Gems that will see him both acting in and producing movies.

"That type of deal is monumental for me and my company," the native of Bankhead, GA, enthuses. "I'm learning my craft as a thespian, and I know I have so much to offer on both sides of the camera. It's a blessing to have the opportunity to fulfill my goals in Hollywood. This is the first of many big steps for me."

Music and movies are just the leading edge of T.I.'s entertainment conglomerate. He's also expanding into comedy tours, the nightclub and restaurant scene, management, and record producing. He has also launched his own fashion line, Akoo.