Atlanta rapper T.I. was officially been released from a low-security federal prison in Forrest City, Arkansas today (December 22).

The rapper, born Clifford Harris Jr., is expected to report to Dismas Charities Atlanta West correctional center tonight, where he will spend three months.

T.I. was sentenced to 366 days in prison after an October 2007 incident, in which federal agents caught him attempting to purchase machine guns and silencers.

After he has finished his stay at Dismas Charities Atlanta West, the rapper must complete 500 hours of community service, in addition to another 23 days of house arrest.

T.I. is expected to work during the three months he is confined to the halfway house, according to reports.

All Hip Hop

Known for his penchant to get the party started, Lil Jon’s brand of crunk music has incited most pit like frenzies across the country and the world. As he readies his heavily anticipated solo album, Crunk Rock, it’s that feeling of neck-breaking nostalgia he’d like to bring back to the forefront of hip hop culture.

Slated for a November 24th release, Crunk Rock will unsurprisingly feature a bevy of rappers to complement the accomplished producer’s raucous beats. Among them is long time collaborator Ice Cube, Souja Boy, Akon, R. Kelly, Pastor Troy and the Ying Yang Twins.

“It’s not just dealing with crunk music and rock —” it’s basically a lifestyle,” Lil Jon notes. “Living life to the fullest, getting crazy, getting crunk and just partying… I’m just trying to make everybody have fun and make ‘em dance again. Because in rap, people stopped partying. You go to a hip-hop party and people just stand around trying to look hard and cool. I want people to wild out and sweat and mosh pit again.”

After a plethora of hits and albums as the front man of Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz, Crunk Rock will be the Atlanta native’’s solo debut.

As has become the custom in years past, Ludacris took over Atlanta this past Labor Day Weekend and among the parties and special events, his philanthropic efforts shone brightest. In an effort to help stimulate the community he was born from, Luda gave away 20 cars to deserving citizens of Atlanta.

Over 4,000 essays were submitted to his foundation at 300 words a pop and the winners were awarded based on necessity and obvious struggle.

”People are getting laid off, and now are looking for jobs,” Ludacris said. ”To be efficient, you need some transportation of your own to get there. That’s why I wanted to give back to those who need it.”

Among the most memorable essays Ludacris read was Mading Duor’s of Sudan. He basically lost his entire family five years ago before moving to Atlanta with his son and eventually lost him to a car accident involving a drunken driver.

“His story touched my heart,” said Ludacris. “He’s endured so much in his life and he’s still here standing. I’m very proud to have helped him.”

New music from “R. Keri” here. Pretty dope concept, in that the two R&B sensations appear to record the thing in their respective cities – Chicago (Kellz) and Atlanta (Miss Keri Babay!)… or is that because Kellz can’t travel? In any scenario, it’s a nice it’s hot as a firecracker. But why wouldn’t it be?

Even if Keri Hilson doesn’t know the difference between Elvis and Michael Jackson, she knows how to perform and doing so with arguably the most talented rhythm & blues cat in the industry will bring even more out of you.

Teen rapper Soulja Boy may have been robbed at gunpoint earlier this week at his home in Atlanta. However, reports are still unconfirmed.

Via text messages on the rapper’s official Twitter page, he left an ATL night club “zooted” at around 11:30 p.m. on Monday (December 29). Then hours later, the next day, two more texts popped up, stating robbers kicked in his door, and almost took his life.

“Thanking God for my life,” Soulja Boy’s Twitter message read. “Six n****z kicked in my door and tried to kill me.” (continue reading…)