T.I.'s Paper Trail Reissue Shelved By Atlantic Records

Spokesperson for Atlantic Records says the extra tracks will be released digitally.

For months, T.I. fans — and the man himself — have been talking about the re-release of his chart-topping Paper Trail album, a project intended to tide everyone over until the rapper finishes serving his 366-day prison sentence on felony weapons charges.

The reissue (tentatively titled Paper Trail: Case Closed) was supposed to feature as many as five new tracks, including collaborations with The-Dream, Ciara and first single "Remember Me" — Tip's track with Mary J. Blige — which premiered Tuesday on MTV.com. There was no firm release date for the album, but various retailers had it hitting stores on August 18.

But now, in news that will likely come as a shock to T.I. fans, MTV News has learned that the Paper Trail reissue has been shelved indefinitely.

That's according to a spokesperson for T.I.'s label, Atlantic Records, who told us on Tuesday (July 14) that "the re-release is definitely not happening," and that "we plan on releasing the additional songs digitally."

There was no reason given for scrapping the reissue, nor was it clear what will happen to projects like the video T.I. shot for the song "Hell of a Life," which the rapper posted photos of on his blog just days before beginning his prison sentence. "Remember Me" is already available for download through Atlantic's online store.

In recent years, the reissue has become a popular marketing ploy for heavyweight artists — Fergie, Rihanna and Beyoncé to name just a few — looking to squeeze some extra life out of a massive album, collect additional singles or to hold fans over in-between releases.