How ‘ATL’ helped turn T.I. into a star and Georgia into a film destination
Clifford “T.I.” Harris remembers getting a call from music producer Dallas Austin that changed his life 25 years ago.
The Atlanta-based rapper, who released his debut album, “I’m Serious,” in 2001, was invited by Austin, also a film producer, to audition for the lead role in “Drumline,” a story about a marching band at an historically Black college in Atlanta. He lost the part to Nick Cannon.
Four years later, Austin approached Harris with another script for “Jellybeans,” inspired by the skating rink near Greenbriar Mall where he and TLC member Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins regularly hung out as teenagers. The story was later retitled “ATL.”
Harris was working on his fourth album, “King,” and ready to prove to film executives he was ready to evolve from rapper to actor.
“I told him don’t call me unless he knew for sure I’m going to get the role. He was championing me because I was a very new artist who was falling on deaf ears (in Hollywood), but people who were familiar with my music believed in and wanted me to be in that position,” Harris told UATL.
“ATL’s” 20th anniversary was celebrated with a screening featuring director Chris Robinson at the Plaza Theatre on Tuesday. The dramedy tells a coming-of-age story of four Black male teenagers in Atlanta who hang at Cascade Skating Rink while navigating challenges to adulthood. They deal with friendship, family, romance, grief, classism, education and drugs.
Helmed by Robinson, a music video director turned first-time feature filmmaker, “ATL” features Harris, rapper Antwan “Big Boi” Patton and Keith David. Atlanta-based talents Killer Mike, Bone Crusher, Jazze Pha, DJ Drama and Monica make cameos in the film.
Robinson said he was inspired by “Stand By Me,” John Hughes’ Brat Pack films, “Boyz N The Hood” and “Menace II Society.” The director, who grew up in Baltimore, wanted “ATL” to create positive images of Southern Black youth.
“It was our opportunity to be able to tell our story of complicated young people, and I wanted to be able to give them grace to figure things out,” Robinson said.
“ATL” wasn’t the first time Robinson and Harris collaborated. He directed the rapper’s debut music video, “I’m Serious,” as well.
Robinson could tell Harris knew his value as a newcomer. “I wanted to make it dope for him and introduce him to the world. As young as he was, he commanded his worth,” the director said.
“He had a group of people around supporting him, was the center of that universe, very grounded and already a star in a way that matters.”
Robinson later directed Harris’ videos for “What You Know,” “Live in the Sky,” “You Know What It Is” and “Dead and Gone.”
Harris said Robinson is focused and intentional about his artistic choices. “Chris is meticulous, a perfectionist, and wants everything planned out,” he said.
Robinson wanted “ATL” to introduce Harris, Lauren London and Evan Ross as actors. Rapper-turned-actor Will Smith and his business partner, James Lassiter, were the film’s producers, which afforded Robinson creative latitude with Warner Bros. Pictures, the studio that financed and distributed “ATL.”
“I’d done so many artists’ first videos, so it was about making new stars in a cool Black movie. Those guys had huge track records in Los Angeles, so it allowed us to do our thing,” Robinson said.
For six months, Robinson put the cast through marathon skating rehearsals, weekend table reads to go over the script and long days shooting scenes so they could bond and develop chemistry on-screen.
“I tried to create an environment where these young superstars could feel comfortable. The script (for music videos) used to be lyrics to the songs, but I had to go layers deep and lean on actors,” Robinson said.
“I was being educated because we had a mission and a goal about the story, but they committed and dedicated themselves to the work.”
Harris, who was simultaneously touring, recording and filming, said he learned time management and being punctual while making “ATL.”
“When I’m doing music, I show up late to the studio and nobody can move until I get there. I had to be on time because film is a collective effort about ‘us’ and ‘we’ rather than me,” Harris said.
Some in the film industry credit “ATL” as being partly responsible for the creation of the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act, which grants tax incentives to studios for film and television shows produced in the state. In 2025, the Georgia Department of Revenue reported the credits generated $2.3 billion from those productions.
Harris said he’s honored “ATL” was instrumental in developing Atlanta’s lucrative film and television industry. “We definitely started something, and I’m proud to be part of something that was meaningful to so many,” Harris said.
Because of the success of “ATL,” Robinson said he wouldn’t mind directing a sequel.
“It’s a dream of mine, and I would love it,” Robinson said. “The fans deserve to see these characters again, and I want to tell the story of where they are now.”
About the Author
Christopher A. Daniel is a Black Culture reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is an Atlanta-based, award-winning journalist, cultural critic and ethnomusicologist. He previously taught courses at Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University and Georgia State University.