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T.I. Brings Out Mary J. Blige, Swizz Beatz for New York Secret Show

By Bridget Bland on Aug 17th 2010 3:28PM

T.I. made a big return to music last night in New York City, letting the music world know that he truly is back and at the top of his game.

The self-proclaimed King of the South brought out some of his superstar friends, like Mary J. Blige, Cam’Ron, Swizz Beatz, and Keri Hilson, for an Axe deodorant body spray-sponsored secret show, held at Manhattan’s upscale Capitale restaurant.

The event marked T.I.’s first major solo performance since returning home from prison earlier this year.

The Grammy Award-winning MC opened with his comeback anthem ‘I’m Back’ in a hoodie and his signature cool-kid ensemble before breaking into a string of his trap star classics, like ‘Rubber Band Man,’ ’24s’ and ‘Beat Down Low.’

Diplomats rapper Cam’Ron performed a few tracks, as did Brooklyn MC Maino before T.I. brought out his Grand Hustle artist B.o.B. to perform a slew of songs and his two major summer hits, ‘Nothing on You’ and ‘Airplanes.’

After changing into a pair of nerdy glasses, T.I. brought out the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige, for a rendition of ‘Don’t Forget Me’ and ‘Good Love.’

Then, Swizz Beatz, who recently tied the knot with Alicia Keys, came out for the infectious single ‘Fancy,’ as well as ‘Bring Em Out’ and ‘Swing Your Rag,’ all of which he produced.

T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, decided to close things out with his latest single ‘Got Your Back’ with a little help from R&B singer Keri Hilson.

And he wrote on his Twitter page, “thank you to NY and all the fans for hanging with da King.”

Currently, T.I. is busy crisscrossing the country to promote his upcoming film, ‘Takers,’ which hits theaters on Aug. 24.

In addition to recording his forthcoming album, ‘King Uncaged,’ he will also tape his first VH1 ‘Storytellers’ special in New York next week, which will premiere on Sept. 24 at 11 p.m. EST on VH1.