'There's no reason we shouldn't be able to get together and make music,' Tip says in radio interview.
By Shaheem Reid

T.I. and Ludacris
Photo: Ben Rose/WireImage.com

We never saw it coming because of the history of their rivalry, but according to T.I. and Ludacris, a collaboration between the pair was never outside the realm of possibility.

"There's a time and place for everything, and now is the time," 'Cris told MTV News exclusively about the track "Wish You Would." It's a cut from Luda's next LP, which is due in October.

"This [upcoming] album, Theater of the Mind, is an event, and all the songs on it are events," Luda said. "I felt like there was no bigger event in hip-hop at this moment than me and T.I. working together."

"Me and dude never had no problems," T.I. elaborated a few days ago while calling in to DJ Self's Sirius Satellite Radio show. "It was always turmoil between our camp and his camp. Us as the bosses of our companies, everyone is gonna follow our lead. We'd figure if it ain't no problem and we don't have no issues, no beef, then there's no reason we shouldn't be able to get together and make music. That was an executive decision that was made on both our behalves."

The power play has resonated positively thus far with members of both factions.

"I was surprised just as much as everybody else was," Playaz Circle member Tity Boi said Monday in Houston at the Ozone Awards when he heard of the duet. "I talked to Luda, and he said it was time to sit down, do business, make grown-man moves. Both of them got albums coming out. Time to try new things. ['Cris] did something for T.I. too that nobody heard yet. It's about to come out soon. It's a good move."

"It's showing that once great minds set their differences aside, they can make something happen," Alfamega, who's signed to T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records, said at the Ozone Awards red carpet. "That's two grown men — not two grown males, grown men!"

Theater of the Mind is slated for October 21, while Tip's Paper Trail comes out September 30.

• Ludacris And T.I. Team Up For 'Wish You Would'

• Ludacris
• T.I.