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Catapulting to the top of the box office while having the No. 1 album in America is no easy goal, but Clifford “Tip” Harris is looking to do just that with the simultaneous release of his new album “King” and his first starring role in the urban drama, “ATL.”

The rapper, known by most as T.I. and often hailed as “The King of the South,” released the follow-up to his award-winning 2004 release, “Urban Legend,” last week, while also making his Hollywood debut in director Chris Robinson’s film.

T.I. has already proven himself as one of the music industry’s top names, following back-to-back platinum records. His latest effort, “King,” certainly doesn’t disappoint, thanks to numerous club bangers such as “Front Back,” featuring UGK, and “Ride Wit Me,” which surely will ignite dance floors across the country this summer.

However, it’s his newfound occupation as an actor that currently has all eyes on him.

Although T.I. is no Denzel Washington on the big screen, he does an admirable job in “ATL,” portraying the role of Rashad, a teen growing up in poverty on the streets of South Side Atlanta. He’s been forced to become the man of the house before his time after losing both parents to a car accident early in his childhood.

The plot of “ATL” focuses on Rashad trying to steer his younger brother Anton “Ant” Swann (Evan Ross Naess) in the right direction. His goal is to keep him away from the neighborhood dope dealer, Marcus (Big Boi from Outkast), who promises the misled youth the life of luxury and fast money that he’s always dreamed about.

Outside of Rashad’s love for drawing comics, his relationship with girlfriend New-New (Lauren London) and his goal of one day earning enough money to help put his younger brother through college, Rashad has little hope for himself in the near future.

Unfortunately, his hard work never seems to pay off, and Rashad’s world comes crashing down when Ant is arrested at school for selling drugs. Feeling confused and cheated by everybody around him (his best friends end up betraying his trust) matters only get worse when he discovers that New-New is a fraud. Since the day the two met, she’s been lying to him about her identity. She’s really Erin Garnett, the daughter of one of Atlanta’s most successful CEOs who doesn’t enjoy the fact that his daughter is hanging out in the same neighborhood he grew up in and is dating somebody from the slums such as Rashad.

New-New’s lies and Ant’s mistakes eventually start to consume the troubled teen’s emotions, and he’s forced to confront his problems before the streets devour his dreams.

While “ATL” does have its bright spots, and T.I. proves that his acting abilities are superior to fellow rapper 50 Cent’s role in last fall’s “Get Rich Or Die Tryin,'” the film’s story is recycled. The screenwriters’ inability to discover new ways to reproduce the classic “growing up in the hood” recipe doesn’t help “ATL’s” cause.

Fortunately for T.I., “King” will undoubtedly soar to the top of the charts even if “ATL” may not break box office records or be up for any awards in the near future. The 18-track album is arguably the best record released this year and features an array of catchy one-liners along with near-flawless production from the likes of hip-hop super producers Pharrell Williams, Mannie Fresh and Just Blaze.

Easily T.I.’s best album to date, “King” showcases his versatility as a lyricist as he flows slowly over the autobiographical “Live In The Sky,” but speeds up his delivery on the rapid- paced track “I’m Talkin’ To You,” which contains a tongue-twisting closing verse that listeners will definitely have to replay several times in order to pick up all the emcee’s crafty lyrics.

So far this year looks to be T.I’s strongest year to date. With an album which will undeniably linger at the top of the Billboard charts for some time and a debut movie proving he can act as well, Atlanta’s crowned ruler can now feel comfortable in his throne.

-‘ATL’ is currently in theaters.