The T.I. and Tiny family is proving a boon to VH1 with the reality series The Family Hustle drawing huge ratings.

Launched with two back-to-back episodes, the docu-series averaged 2.8 million total viewers for the 9 p.m. airing and a 1.9 rating among adults 18-49 on Monday evening. Combined with the 11 p.m. encore, the premiere episode lured a total of 4.3 million viewers.

The second episode drew an even bigger audience, improving upon its debut and attracting 3.1 million viewers at 9:30 p.m. During the 11:30 p.m. encore, the second episode gained more than 4.5 million viewers.

In comparison, VH1's Basketball Wives closed out its third season in August attracting 2.6 million viewers after starting off its first season averaging more than 1 million viewers.

T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle focuses on T.I.'s family life, including his reunion with his wife Tameka “Tiny” Cottle and children, after serving time in prison on a weapons charge, and his attempt to recapture the entertainment spotlight.

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(Photo: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for AXE)