“Aye what’s up ma,” asked T.I. in his distinctive southern drawl. The platinum-selling rapper’s charming greeting and wide grin elicited a giggle from the woman who was first in line at his book signing yesterday. Decked out in a bright green hoodie, dark sunglasses and a New York Yankees fitted baseball cap, the self-proclaimed King of the South began signing books about 20 minutes after the event was scheduled to start at Harlem bookstore Hue-Man.

I arrived an hour early, prepared to “embed” myself in a line that I was sure would stretch down the block. But instead, I was greeted by a modest line of 25 people or so that wasn’t even out the door yet. Still, it was a pretty good showing for an at least 60-minute wait with the added bit that everyone in line for the signing had to have a purchased book in hand. That was $23.99 for a hardcover copy of Power and Beauty, a work of fiction T.I. co-wrote with noted celeb biographer David Ritz.

As the minutes ticked by, the line did finally trail outside the door and a handful of police officers put up metal crowd-control gates to keep the line against the building. The crowd was what you would expect — mostly young and black, but there was a smattering of other races and some older folks too. Everyone drawn to the “Kang.”

In front of me in line was a 19-year-old named Kenneth Maldonado, a Long Island resident who made the long trek to Harlem alone because none of his friends were willing to tag along. He arrived at 4 pm for the 6 pm event. “This will be the first book I’ve read in about a year and a half,” explained Maldonado. “I’m definitely a fan of T.I.’s music and his clothing line, but I’m reading the book because I heard it’s about two people who overcome the streets and get a better life. I can relate to that.”

Gold star to T.I. for turning a fan into a reader. The rapper (who is fresh out of jail from an 11-month sentence on a probation violation) told the ladies on The View earlier in the day that the book is partially inspired by the experiences of his own and people he knows, but that it is in fact fiction.

Not everyone in attendance knew tons of facts about T.I. and his work though. A precocious, wide-eyed, 8-year-old tapped me, pointed to a man at the front of the store and asked if that was T.I. It wasn’t. It was a New York Daily News reporter who is a good six inches taller than T.I. But cute question nonetheless.

While waiting for T.I. to arrive, the rapper/author/actor/business man’s marketing team gave out (kinda cute) white tank tops with Akoo written across the chest in purple ink. Akoo is T.I.’s clothing line for men and women.

When the man himself arrived, applause broke out. The woman behind me hissed into her phone “Girl, I gotta go. I’m here with T.I.” Clifford “T.I.” Harris immediately put his southern charm on full display as he used the 30 seconds or so he had with each attendee to thank them for coming and to answer whatever quick questions they had. He didn’t pose for pictures and he didn’t read from his book. It was just a signing. That was a little strange (I’m used to authors reading before they sign), but okay.

Upon exiting, the Akoo gifting started back again. Attendees received a drawstring backpack, another tank top, a t-shirt, a miniature football, a towel and a pen—all with the Akoo logo prominently displayed. Perhaps the Akoo swag was to make up for the lack of interaction, but for some fans, the opportunity to meet T.I. was more than enough.

Teacher Reneec Jones drove from the Bronx for the event and was not at all disappointed. “When I went up there, I told him my name and asked if I could shake his hand and he shook my hand,” exclaimed Jones, while holding up her right hand. “He shook this hand right here! I got to touch him. I’m very happy.”