T.I.

The rap game's been T.I.'s domain for barely five years, yet the Atlanta native remains one of the scene's most consistent superstars. That's been the case ever since he dropped the bumping, trunk-testing single "24's" in 2003, the first in a string of hits from the albums Trap Muzik, Urban Legend, and King. Among the chart-topping highlights are the spastic horn section and Jay-Z sample of "Bring Em Out," the clicking crawl and drawl of "Rubber Band Man," and the funky nighttime stroll of "Let's Get Away."

Troubles with the law and feuding with Texas rapper Lil' Flip did little to derail T.I. after the breakout success of Trap Muzik, a confident and catchy blend of bouncy and soul-blessed beats. Its follow-up, Urban Legend, pleased clubs and the average pop-rap consumer by featuring a stellar roster of fitting guests (Nelly; Trick Daddy; Lil' Kim, Jon, and Wayne) and simple but slamming productions, like "Stand Up" and the whistle-happy "Motivation."

Like most accomplished, in-demand rappers, T.I.'s phone is constantly being lit up by other artists in search of the perfect rhyme scheme to top off a skin-tight single. He's dropping some mighty fine rhymes among good company here, including three syrupy adrenaline shots with U.G.K. co-founder Bun B; a skittering, self-assured duet with Paul Wall; a grinding, groovy V.I.P. room anthem alongside Slim Thug; and a softer side heard on a buttery R&B/rap duet with Ashanti.

OK, maybe Pharrell Williams was exaggerating when he called T.I. "the Jay-Z of the South." On second thought, maybe the Neptunes producer was onto something. This smooth but poisonous Georgia peach has ripped through four successful rap albums in five years, solidifying his stay somewhere at the top of the hip-hop heap despite — or maybe partly because of — a dramatic backstory of drug trafficking, unstable probation deals, and fatal shootings (his close friend and personal assistant Philant Johnson was shot to death after a show in Cincinnati earlier this year). It helps that his music is gritty with a devilish groove, getting even the most resilient feet, heads, and…well, booties shaking.