King (T.I. Album)

King (T.I. Album)

King is the fourth studio album by American rapper T.I., released on March 28, 2006 through Grand Hustle Records and Atlantic Records. Recording sessions for the album only took a year in a half to record towards late-2005, T.I. stated in an interview with MTV News. Production was handled by several record producers, including DJ Toomp, Just Blaze, Mannie Fresh, Swizz Beatz, Keith Mack, Travis Barker, The Neptunes, Kevin "Khao" Cates, Nick "Fury" Loftin, and Tony Galvin, among others.

The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling over 522,000 copies in its first week of release in the United States, from the promotion of his hit debut film ATL and the smash hit single, "What You Know". It was certified gold in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America, following shipment in excess of 523,408 copies. It also achieved respectable international charting and produced the two hit singles that attained chart success, including US Billboard hits "What You Know" and Why You Wanna. The Recording Industry Association of America has certified the album Platinum.

Upon its release, King received general acclaim from music critics, earning praise for its varied musical style, opulent production quality, and T.I.'s dichotomous lyrical themes, and including the hit single "What You Know" where critics praised DJ Toomp's production for the single. The album also earned T.I. several accolades, including Grammy Award nominations for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Solo Performance, winning the latter for "What You Know". The album also appeared at the top of several publications year-end lists of top albums. Initially naming it one of the best albums of 2006, Pitchfork Media placed the album at number 147 on their list of top 200 albums of the 2000s. Stylus Magazine placed the album at number 14 on its list of their Top 50 Albums of 2006.