(AllHipHop News) Clifford “Tip” Harris (ATL, American Gangster) is once again pursuing his other gig as an actor. The Atlanta rapper has been named as a cast member for A+E Networks’ remake of Roots.

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Tip (aka T.I.) will play the role of Cyrus. The character is described as a headstrong slave that joined the Union Army during the Civil War.

Veteran actor Mekhi Phifer (8 Mile, Divergent) has been cast as a mute slave named Jerusalem. Laurence Fishburne, Forest Whitaker, Anna Paquin, Anika Noni Rose, Chad L. Coleman, Derek Luke, and others have already signed on for the four-part miniseries.

Will Packer (Ride Along, Straight Outta Compton) is listed as one of the executive producers. LeVar Burton – a lead star of the original 1976 Roots miniseries – is a co-executive producer.

The four episodes will be directed by Mario Van Peebles, Bruce Beresford, Phillip Noyce, and Thomas Carter, respectively. Grammy winner Questlove of The Roots has been hired to oversee the music.

The new adaptation of Roots is scheduled to premiere on A+E in 2016.