T.I. "Paper Trail" re-release is SHELVED!

The release gate has been closed on T.I.'s anticipated reissue of "Paper Trail

According to Atlantic Records, the incarcerated Platinum-plus selling rapper's disc that was expected to feature at least five new songs, including "Remember Me" with Mary J. Blige, has been shelved.

The disc, following T.I.'s arguably most successful run at the charts with back to back hits including "Live Your Life (Rihanna)," "Dead and Gone (Justin Timberlake)," and "Swagga Like Us," had been slated for release in August. According to Atlantic reps, the anticipated group of songs will be released digitally instead:

"The re-release is definitely not happening," Atlantic told MTV News Tuesday.

"We plan on releasing the additional songs digitally."

News of T.I.'s release being canceled is surprising and disappointing at the same time, as the release would have been something to essentially tide fans over until the rapper completed his 366 day sentence on weapons charges. But most important, the decision to pull the physical release during a time where re-releases and special editions of albums from artists including Beyonce, Chris Brown and Rihanna have done extremely well in extending the shelf life and profit margin for all parties involved is beyond strange -- especially for an artist of T.I.'s caliber and following.

In fact, news of the shelving begs the question.... does TIP know about this and does this have anything to do with his prison stint ?

As reported by Atlantic, songs will be released gradually at digital retailers but not as a cohesive unit like once thought.

The first of the new releases is the Mary J. Blige assisted "Remember Me," which was released to retailers including iTunes recently. A video for "Remember Me" was also released Tuesday, featuring the "What You Know" rapper entering a prison and telling fans that his absence is only for a short time. (Watch the video for "Remember Me" below.)

T.I.'s "Paper Trail" was certified Platinum in 2008, as were three of his singles (most of which went at least 2X Platinum).