right All attendees were greeted by young ladies geared in black bootie shorts and black skirts with white-and-black-striped leg warmers in roller blades, similar to the girls at the Cascade roller rink in ATL. While smacking their gums, the young ladies provided southern hospitality to NYC by saying, “Welcome to ATL.”
ATL, which is loosely based on Dallas Austin's and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins' experiences growing up on Atlanta’s south side, has T.I. assuming the role of Rashad, a 17-year-old forced to be the man of his household.
Rashad lives with his Uncle George and little brother Ant, who is essentially a good kid whose curiosity and eagerness to get money gets him in trouble.
Ant is played by Evan Ross, the youngest son of Grammy-winner Diana Ross.
In addition to Ant, Rashad is joined by his on-screen best friend, Esquire, who has the ambitious dreams of making it to an Ivy League College.
Rashad’s other two friends are Brooklyn, who can’t seem to hold down a job and Teddy, who unsuccessfully hollers at any attractive female that walks.
When Rashad is with his boys their pastime is skating at the Cascade roller rink, where he’s momentarily able to escape all the struggles he faces in his household.
In addition, it’s at Cascade where Rashad frequently bumps into New-New, an attractive young lady (played by Lauren London) that also enjoys skating with her friends and later begins a romantic relationship with Rashad.
The story essentially films four friends growing up in ATL with the emphasis placed on Rashad, Ant and their struggles.
T.I.'s album, King is in stores today, while ATL hits theaters this Friday, March 31.
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