T.I. - Paper Trail

fire! one of or if not the best hiphop albums of 2008. t.I lyrical ability on this album was crazy. production on this album was hot as well. He ripped im illy to pieces and another stand out track is ready for whatever. man this @*#$! album is a beast. T.I. is truly the king of the south

First, I'd like to say that, until this point, I was never much of a T.I. fan. I thought King was terribly overrated, T.I. vs T.I.P. was mediocre at best, and Trap Muzik/I'm Serious deserved the commercial success they were given (not too good). Anyways, this album changed my mind. I can honestly say that this album ranks among the best albums I've heard all year. Nearly every track has been on repeat on my iPod since the album leaked a week ago and I'm not sick of them yet. However, the album does have its weak spots which, to me, were: Porn Star, Every Chance I Get, Whats Up Whats Happnin and I'm Illy. Aside from those few, the rest of these tracks get my stamp of approval. I'm especially a fan of On Top Of the World (where Luda proves to be the only guest verse on this album that actually outshines T.I., so I suggest Nathan rethinks that "King of the South" statement. Luda has sold more copies, had more hits + is much more consistent), Slide Show, Dead and Gone, Swagga Like Us, Live Your Life and Swing Ya Rag. Anyways, my point is that this album has changed my opinion on T.I. as a whole; he may not be the "king" (in my mind) but this album does put up one hell of an argument. I just won't crown him until I hear "Theater of the Mind" in November. Album gets a 4.5/5 for me. Definitely recommend it.

P.S. This album ranks as one of my favorite this year along with: Nas "Untitled", Ne-yo "Year of the Gentlemen" and Tech N9NE "Killer". It beats out "Carter III" and "The Recession" for sure.

yeaa man this album is quality! definitely better than the carter 3, as much as im a wayne fan...this album has some great bangers...ready for whatever and im illy were my two favourite tracks besides whatever you like...top 3 tracks on this disk, classic album!

This album is no doubt in the top albums of the year. After TI vs TIP I was kinda disappointed, but this is straight classic. Dead and Gone is also up in my favorite TI songs of all time. No doubt, this is nothing less than illy.

im sorry wayne, but this album has got ya, man! the only thing dats wrong about this review is that this album shouldn't be solid. it should be classic or near classic. and swagger like us goes hard and tha chorus to On Top Of The World was good. this album has meaning to it, which is something that a lot of rappers barely have these days, besides lupe. if i could, i'd give this album 6 out of 5 stars because this is by far, one of the best albums i've heard in a while.
the only think thats messed up, is that this album deserves more than a "solid". it should be near classic. this aint an ordinary album.

Well let me first say I agree with the 4/5 rating, but this is T.I.'s second best album with Trap Muzik being his best. And I disagree with King being a classic. No way thats ever gonna happen. This album is a definite step up from King and T.I. Vs T.I.P. (T.I.'s worst album)

This album is way too commercial for TI. In all his radio/commercial attempts with a guest he barely is in half the song (esp. Live Your Life). It looks like TI is trying to sell a lot of records due to his case and make another image of himself. This is not the TI from his first 5 albums. He tried too hard in his lyrics this time and sometimes it would get tiresome to see him use the same rhyming and flow.

Album of the Year. Nuff said.

He definitely is nowhere near being the "king" of the south in terms of Hip Hop and rapping. I think he never meant it in terms of rap. The title clearly belongs to Luda this decade. To answer your question, from 2000 to now, no other artist in Hip Hop has been more consistent without taking a break or falling off.

Superb review by Nathan... as usual (always on point)
i totally agree that T.I. is "Godfather of Swagger" but on the other Title of being "King of South" im with my homie DJ Z .... album is filled with nuthin but hot jams.....Go cop this sh*t on 30th Sep....
oh!! & a 5 ***** for Mr. Nathan for the new lingo - Auto-Tune-Tax ..lol...

yeah but ludacris aint never sold 500,000 copies in the first week off one album before has he. T.I has with this lil album called KING. lol just thought I should throw that out there. said it before be more than happy to say it again CLASSIC ALBUM.

IMAO it's T.I.'s best album:::::::::
And album of the year, no doubt:::::::

Luda my boy and all but i gotta give it to T.I and T.I.P. Luda is more of a funny and ride and bump in you car type of music, move @*#$!, roll out, saturday and tracks like that that gets stuck in you head. Dont get me wrong he can put his fire on a track. i wish i could've heard more T.I. vs Luda. I can really feel T.I.'s music. His music can almost tell you the story of my life. The way he can take a simple beat and make a hot track is what i like. he is the king in what he do. classic album

5/5 ... GREAT ALBUM! Swagga Like Us, Live your LIife, and Slide show are my favorites...

J.Carter, you have a point in saying Luda's never sold 500,000 copies in his first week but first week sales don't matter too much in my opinion. In the long run Luda albums have sold more which is all that really matters. If you start out a race in 1st place but finish in second you still lost.

Its the KING @*#$!!!!

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST MOTHERFUKIN ALBUMS.BESTTTTT

Im Illy, Live Your Life ,My Life Your Entertainment, Porn Star , Every Chance I Get,Slide Show.........
T.I PAPER TRAIL=BEST

I wouldnt say this is a classic but TI impressed me on almost every song. The hottest ones are My Life Your Entertainment, Slide Show, Whatever You Like, On Top Of The World, Livin your life. He's still the king. Bangin album

Man I disagree with the rating of a solid completely. This album is terrible for a guy who set in the house and said he recorded 300 songs or something I would hate to hear what the other traxcs sound like. I just couldn't get into this album I must have played it two times completely, and than try to hear a bit scattered around. His albums have a rain effect they just go down after the other. I felt the first three traxcs and probalby the 10th traxc I think, but other than that this album is straight commercial from the top down to the last song. The traxcs he release was coo but not good for the reception it recieve. I see the same thing that happen to wayne album thats not that good putting up big numbers. Just to let yall know I have put my LAX baxc in my car and it is getting majority spins with nas sparringly.

Great review as always, but i disagree with what Nathan said about T .I.'s ability to move units like he did on King. Think about it. Whatever You Like has accumulated way more spins than What you Know, T.I. has dropped an abundance of quality singles in the lead up to the album, Swagga Like Us is a top 5 hit and Live Your Life looks set to take over. Not to mention the promotion and marketing of this album has been brilliant. So yeah in my opinion I think that this CD will go double plat fo sho! He should have a great first week maybe even gold status straight out the gate. Not to obsess over album sales but yeah i just think that when you look at it like that, T.I. should be able to further solidfy his position as hip hops top sellers. Album is great too :)

There are 2 leaked songs that didn't make the album: Like I Do featuring the Dream, and Let My Beat Pound. I absolutely love those songs, and would rather hear those than Porn Star and My Life, Your Entertainment. If he had swapped those songs, this would be a 5 star album. too bad. Otherwise, best album of the year!

donjonjon rating above a 3 star!!!! You KNOW it has to be good now LOL!, Best album of the year, and IMHO i dont think any other is gonna beat it out this year, T.I. killed it, he made tracks to go to the ladies side, tracks that lyrical capability rose like a jet, then tracks that he just murdered because he could!, T.I. is 2nd in my book ATM with Akon still residing 1st, FREEDOM HURRY!

last 3 tracks make the album a classic, simple as that....

FIRE!!! This is the album of the year for sure! Lil Wayne is one of my favorite rappers but this album has more bangers and a little more emotion. How is this album not classic, you may wanna go listen to it again Nathan. Solid? I would rate this album solid even if I just listened to the first half of the album. T.I. stay fly boy

^ Are you insane? A classic is solidified through an entire body of work, not just the last few tracks on the project. The word "classic" shouldn't even be mentioned around this album, but T.I. delivered a solid release nonetheless considering his hectic personal situations and his responsibility to satisfy his fans at the same time. I have to fully agree with Nathan on this review. Even though T.I. is practically obligated to record top-40 potentential songs, he still came out will a different drive, a different purpose, as if he had to prove something to the rest of the world. "Paper Trial" is far from his best, but it's also far from his worst. In today's dieing industry, it really doesn't matter how good an album is for it to sell millions of copies. No one will be able to do what Lil Wayne did. No one. But I wouldn't be surprised if "Paper Trial's" up there with "Tha Carter III" as one of the top selling albums of year. T.I.'s swagger can do that.

POP3Y3, you didn't give a single objective/valid reason why this is not a good album: recording 300 songs or not, being commercial or not, that doesn't tell sh*t about the quality of an album (there are plenty of GOOD COMMERCIAL songs in History, and the reason why people *cough NOJAS66 cough* use this as a proof of mediocrity is beyond me). Everything else you said was speculation ("hate to hear what the other traxcs sound like", "his albums have a rain effect they just go down after the other"), so you still failed to say WHY this is NOT a good album. @ DJZ, NATHAN: When will this double voting *cough NOJAS66 cough* BS stop?

I loved this album....definitely his best work since King. TI vs TIP was extremely disappointing and this album was a pleasant surprise to me. I think his lyricism is so good on this album. And it definitely is on the short list for best albums of 2008. Better than L.A.X., Tha Carter III, The Recession, Exit 13, Plies' junk, Trilla....etc. VERY GOOD ALBUM from top to bottom. Nathan, I think u underrated this one man. I would give it a 4.5. Rounded it 2 a 5.

In short: Album of the Year... by far. Every song on the album hits hard, except for maybe porn star... But other than that, T.I's best since trap musik and I'm serious

Obviously

wow i seriously dont know how people like this interview. everty song on the album was crazy, i have no idea wtf ur talking bout when u say on top of the world hook is terrible, because it deffinetly isnt, you can probably ask any one. and wtf are you talking about auto tune tax are you trying to be funny? and also this is obviously t.i. s best album yet. 5 star album 2 star review

*****The album is rated as a '4-spin' on a '5-spin' scale and people are mad? LOL... I love our readers. I will offer my feedback a little later, but for now I will continue to devour the opinions of our loyals.*****

IMO T.I's KING album was definitely the best album T.I. ever did. It was full of swagger and everything just like T.I. said, and it had a good balance of bangers (like "What You Know" and "Get It") and smooth songs (like "Why You Wanna" and "Goodlife"). I was hoping T.I. would come out with a better CD, but I didn't expect it since I'm not a HUGE T.I. fan. However, last week, when I heard a leaked version of his new "Paper Trail" album, my hopes came true. This album is sick. We already know about hits like "Whatever You Like" and "Swagga Like Us." He's als got other songs that I instantly liked, which were "Live Your Life" and "My Life, Your Entertainment." It's worth buying just for those two songs alone. I'm surprised it got a 4 and not at least 4.5 because there really isn't one lame song on here. Even though I heard it last week, I'm definitely gonna buy it tomorrow when it comes out. Everyone should buy it because it's worth the money.

STILL THE PRINCE OF THE SOUTH TO ME UNTIL HE CAN DE-THRONE LUDA BUT ANYWAY THIS ALBUM WAS 2ND ANTICIPATED AFTER L.A.X AND I HAVE TO SAY T.I DID NOT DISSAPOINT ON PAPER TRAIL THE MAINSTREAM SONGS HE REALEASED REALLY GOT ME LISTENING TO HIM MORE THAN I DID WHEN HIS LAST ALBUM DROPPED,WATEVER YOU LIKE AND LIVE YOUR LIFE ARE MY FAVS..

Kayleb101: easy way to know if you rated an album well. After a month, are you still banging it? 2 months? 6 months? I think i'll be bangin this one for a while :+)

This album was simply amazing, especially coming from T.I. cuz frankly TIP ain't known for such lyrical gems, more-so the trap music sort of genre, not meaning to be a knock on TIP as i enjoy it all the same.. But as for Paper Trail, it was a mix of introspective lyrical tracks (slide show, dead and gone, no matter what) , swagger songs (swagger like us, on top of the world), and lady-influenced joints (whatever you like, porn star), but all of them were T.I. on a better scale. Personally I liked B.o.B's chorus for On Top of the World, addicting and uplifting.. the only songs I don't listen to as much are the radio singles, simply because I can hear them anywhere, rather than only in my library of music. The song with Usher is my least favorite, but then it leaked awhile back and I listened to it too much. This says something though: Paper Trail doesn't have the longevity in every track needed to be considered classic. But I believe it is above solid, a 4.25 or so, because it also is not "near classic" as a 4.5 is. I'll buy this as soon as I can get to a store.

Dis album is no way even a 4.

this is great but i hope he releases a part 2 or something because there were alot of great songs that didnt make the album

The KING is back with Paper Trail.. almost every track is a banger! The weakest track, in my opinion is 56 Barz. Swagga Like Us isn't really catching my ear either -- Jay's verse is.. umm not very good, and I'm sick of the autotune. I think my picks for this album are actually Dead and Gone, Ready For Whatever and No Matter What. This is one of the best albums of the year, and I'm glad to see T.I. back in the spotlight after a rather dissapointing last album -- T.I. vs T.I.P. I doubt this will move like KING, but it should definetely do VERY well.

btw, this album owns The Carter III :) Now, all of you weezey fanboys can tell me how much I suck :)

This album is T.I greatest album and tops any album of the year becuase T.I wrote all his lyrics on paper and came up with all his rhymes. This is T.I life on paper. There are not many songs where is showboats about all his money and chains like JEEZY,WAYNE,The game is like T.I they both have such a interesting life that they can fill up 15-16 songs with great lyrics and none of that chain and money bull $hit. straigh banger and classic in my opinion. Good job T.I

hot album.. gonna go get it tomorrow. "dead and gone" with JT my favorite track

I'm illy is among the best songs lyrically of this year!!!!
He messed up with puttin "Porn Star" on there, but everything else is bangin. Ima definately be bumpin down the street listen to "I'm Illy" and "Ready for Whatever".

hot freaking album

This album is going to be huge. I agree with Nathans review. If this album had a few more tracks on it with the compatiablility of What Ever You Like, then I would have given this a 4.5, but it is just missing something. But, never the less, this is a great comeback album, and is just amazing, and is now in my #4 Hip-Hop album of 2008. Great job T.I.P.

i'm changing my rating to 4.5 stars. woohoo.

Wow you guys ruined it for yourselves...I CANT WAIT FOR TOMMORROW after reading all of this!!

THEY SAY LIL WAYNE IS THE BEST RAPPER ALIVE BUT THEN WE 4GET TO LOOK AT OUR GRETEST SUCH AS KANYE AND THE KING OF SWAGG T.I.P . I WASNT FEELING SOME OF THE SONGZ BUT HE MADE UP 4 IT WITH LIVE YOUR LIFE, ON TOP OF THA WORLD AND OF COURSE THE BOUNCE BACK TRACK NO MATTER WAT

Here we go again!!! Another 4.5-star album for 2008! First we had Lil Wayne, then we had NAS, and now we have T.I. and boy is he BACK!!! Those are my Grammy Nominees for Best Rap Album 2008 and honestly, it can go either way. I didn't think T.I. had it in him anymore to produce a classic album like Trap Musik ever again! Boy was I wrong! I can honestly say that I didn't skip ANY TRACKS on this album! Damn near every track is solid!!! The flow of the album from track to track is right on point as well! The beats on this album are just as good, if not better, than Jeezy's beats, but the HUGE difference between Jeezy and T.I. is that T.I. can actually RAP, while Jeezy is all Ad-libs! There are so many SICK songs on here that I can't even pick a favorite. I will be playing this album for years to come without a doubt! I knew he was the king of the south back during Trap Musik's release (and that's why it has been back in my MP3 for the past YEAR!); and He does an excellent Job of getting his crown back...especially after all the legal troubles he is going through. VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY good album! I am very impressed! This is very close to a Classic - 4.9 stars easy! Excellent review Nate as usual, and If I had to pick three weaker tracks of the bunch, I would say Slide Show, Swagga Like us, and Swing ya Rag...everything else is pretty much BANGERS or BETTER!

DAM DJ BLAZE U KNOW WAT U TALKIN BOUT. WELL YEA NATE HAS AN ONPOINT PRESPECTIVE OF THA ALBUM AZ USUAL BUT SWING YA RAG IZ PRETTY GOOD AND SWAGGA LIKE US COULDA BEEN BETTER.THIS ALBUM IZ TO ME A GOOD CHALLENGE TO KING AND SOME OTHER MASTERPIECES FROM T.I.P . THIS ALBUM IS FUELED BY MEDIA AND THE FACT ITZ A COMEBACK ALBUM .ALSO ITZ JUST PLAIN CLASSIC. ALBUM OF THE YEAR BABY !

DAM DJ BLAZE U KNOW WAT U TALKIN BOUT. WELL YEA NATE HAS AN ONPOINT PRESPECTIVE OF THA ALBUM AZ USUAL BUT SWING YA RAG IZ PRETTY GOOD AND SWAGGA LIKE US COULDA BEEN BETTER.THIS ALBUM IZ TO ME A GOOD CHALLENGE TO KING AND SOME OTHER MASTERPIECES FROM T.I.P . THIS ALBUM IS FUELED BY MEDIA AND THE FACT ITZ A COMEBACK ALBUM .ALSO ITZ JUST PLAIN CLASSIC. ALBUM OF THE YEAR BABY !

i thote KING wasn't that good, it was good but not as good as this. and T.I. vs. T.i.P was better than KING in my opinion.

T.I. VS T.I.P. better than KING? Hmm.. I really think you should go listen to both albums again.

love it .. 5/5

This is totally a near-claasic and probably the BEST rap album so far this year. I agree with Nathan S in the fact that this was not as good as "King", but this proves that TI is KING OF THE SOUTH! I think the best tracks on here were "Live Your Life", "Swagger Like Us" and "No Matter What.

P.S. I been listening to T.I. for a LOOOOONG time now, and I don't think the King album was his best. I think Trap Musik was better track for track in my opinion. King wasn't bad. This may very well be his BEST album now. I definitely like it more than KING.

This is a CLASSIC.I been listening to t.i. since trap musik.This album is banger.All the songs are hits. Too bad "Let My beat Pound" didnt make the album its a good song. Well i hope this album outsells lil wayne the carter 3. My rating 5/5

Can I just say how amazing the year 2008 has been for Hip-Hop so far. I mean think about it. Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, The Game, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, T.I., Nas, Flobots, Kardinal, and with new albums from Common, Kanye, 50, and Jay-Z, THIS IS CRAZY!!!!. It's like ever year the industry switches out, from rap to rock, and then back again. But what I'm really trying to say is that Most of these albums are fairly decent. Think about it. All this great music in one year. In my opinion, 2008 is going to be another year to remember. (I.E. 1992)

Aight this Album is a Banger for me. 4.0 in my eyes. Yeah T.I. stepped up his game BIG TIME. His lyrics show improvement. But thats expected. The beats on here are CRAZY! Songs like "Every Chance I Get", "56 Bars", "Illy" and "Ready for Whatever" are just bangers. But I have one complaint. I had to skip the commercial songs such as "Live Your Life", "Whatever You Like", and "Porn Star" I just had to skip. Not my style. But overall a GOOD CD. I'm debating whether its better then L.A.X. and The Recession. But for sure its one of the top 5 Albums. Sad to say I wouldn't say Tha Carter III will finish the year in the Top Five if Jay-Z and Kanye finish the year strong(No I'm not a Weezy hater, Just being honest. I like the guy but he simple sold out for his album and didn't bring it as hard as Game, Jeezy or T.I. did). BANGER!!!

i have loved T.I. ever since What you know and Big Things Poppin came out
and now i am COMPLETELY in love with him
i bought his cd first thing this morning, considering i work at a cd store, so i reserved one for myself until the doors opened
and i brought it home and OH GOSSSH cant stop listening to it
not a dissapointment at all (cept for the chorus in swagger like us)
LOOOVE whatever u like, live your life, dead and gone, and my life your entertainment,
everythings a banger
T.I. will ALWAYS have swagger

Young Son’s Review of T.I.’s “Paper Trail

By Michael Hannah (a.k.a Young Son)

Introduction:


Paper Trail is the sixth studio album by rapper T.I. released on September 30, 2008. Let’s get into the review.

1. 56 Bars (Intro)

There was no slow, dramatic style intro. T.I.P and Toomp just jumped right in it. The beat came right in with the usual swagger and down south bounce that T.I. usually laces. I personally would have preferred a more epic intro to back up the hype of the CD. But T.I. didn’t disappoint though. The wordplay was highly impressive and T.I. sounded confident as ever. The subject matter? Basically telling the listeners we don’t need the wack rappers. You can hear the advanced word usage and vocabulary in this joint and can automatically can say that T.I on the pen is the illest you’ve heard from here. 5/5 stars for the energetic intro.

2. I’m Illy

I’m Illy didn’t hesitant to come right in at all. It almost was like a continuance of the intro. The production followed a “Let the Beat Build” format. The King sounded just as confident and continued the extended advanced wordplay with an overabundance of similes in the style of playing with proper nouns of names and titles. I will say that I felt the hook could have used some work. It seemed real simple and didn’t exhibit the same focus that was given to the verses. It also made T.I sounds a tad bit like V.I.C (LOL….Silly….Illy….sounds the same). I give this song 3/5 stars.

3. Ready for Whatever

I really liked the introduction to the production. The electric guitar set it off. I felt the drum kit used could have been a tad more epic, with some harder kicks and snare hits. T.I gets introspective and personal on this joint. It’s definitely not single material, but a great album track. This type of personal subject matter really gives you a chance to look into the rapper’s life and it allows him to become tangible. Listeners are able to really understand the man and the gun charge situation more. Great respect points for T.I on this joint. The tones are motivational and real. His commentary at the end of the song definitely cosigned this idea. 5/5 stars for this joint from T.I.P.

4. On Top of The World

T.I & Ludacris together finally! I know you remembered them beefing backing in the day. It now seems that the two rappers have grown up and connected for a collaboration of supposed epic proportions. The production wasn’t super impressive with me. I felt it sounded pretty generic and didn’t capture my attention well. T.I’s verse was sort of boring and easily forgettable. Ludacris’ delivery alone NEVER allows him to be forgettable. He definitely outshines the album artists’ effort on this track, with plenty of energy and flow change-ups throughout. The hook was slightly annoying. It is semi-catchy though, but I felt could have used work.

5. Live Your Life (feat. Rihanna)

The track began with the presentation of an interesting sample used for the beat. Rihanna served the hook very nicely and the added background exclamations really set it off. It definitely had an “anthem” feel to it. The production was definitely catchy and had me bobbing my head back and forth. The beat and flow reminded me of a faster paced version of T.I’s style on his debut single “No Matter What”. T.I. basically discussed that his previous promotion of the “gangsta” life deserved a break. He’s grown up as a person and has began to value life more. He broke down what hip hop was all about and downplayed how most artists are on childish games involving beef and the glorification of material gain. Overall, the song is classic status. 5/5 stars for this joint.

6. Whatever You Like

I heard this single and viewed the video for the track about 3 weeks before the album’s release. The track overall was great and it showed T.I. in a different light. I felt he hadn’t didn’t do a track like this since “Why You Wanna” from the KING album. This track seemed less annoying than that track though. T.I.’s sing-song style resembled that of Nelly’s previous weeks. The production was very eclectic. I didn’t like the hook in it’s entirety as much as the “Whatever You Like” part…lol. The verses didn’t go too in depth. They definitely kept a melodic flow and catchy approached. I will say you will probably find yourself listening subconsciously and being trapped in the bounce of the track without actually listening in depth to the words. If that’s not a definite recipe for a successful single in this age’s music industry, I don’t know what is. Overall, though a great song, I only give this song 3/5 stars for it’s performance. I feel T.I. and/or his label played it safe with this record and it lacked substance and subject matter.

7. No Matter What

One of the hottest singles I’ve ever heard released from T.I ever. As a matter of fact, one of the hottest songs from his plethora of discography ever. It definitely makes the top 5. This song revealed nothing but confident, introspective personal rhymes about T.I’s legal issues, his response to the criticism and his triumph over trial (pun intended). The hook served straightforward inspirational lines stating “I ain’t dead, I ain’t done”, letting the world know that Mr. Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. is far from finished. It took shots at whoever has been trying to throw salt (Shawty Lo, blog sites, media) that people always want to take shots at someone when they are down. He’s now’s back and all their plans are ruined. As the drum kit fades out in the last four bars of the third verse, the platinum rapper states “Wonder how I face years and I’m still chillin’? Easy, let go and let god deal wit it.” I couldn’t have said it better.

8. My Life, Your Entertainment (featuring Usher)

This song features one of Usher’s very low list of hook feature appearances. T.I. continues to spit personally introspective rhymes about his life and what he’s went through as a star. As the title states, the fans watch it like a show, but it’s his real life. Overall, this track didn’t move me to well. It easily became boring as it continued and Usher’s solo part could have completely been removed because he really brought the songs energy down. Drumma Boy’s production was the highlight of this track. Overall, I give it 3/5 stars for the effort, but definitely not a standout track on the album in my opinion.

9. Porn Star

Lil C’ served up some really eclectic styled production on this track. It sounded like a well-flipped jazz sample with some rim shots and simple kicks and snares added and the signature transitional sound known from Young Dro’s “Shoulder Lean”. T.I. serves up the track with some commentary to a beautiful woman he is wooing at the club for a late night rendezvous. The title definitely is appropriate for the inappropriate for young ears, explicit subject matter. The chorus was served up by an unknown, sultry tenor vocalist. Overall, the track was decent, but not a standout track for me. I’m sure it will be in heavy rotation for the ladies though. 3/5 stars.

10. Swing Ya Rag

Bring Em” Out Pt. 2 maybe? Swizz Beats served up the catchy and epic production as usual. The hook was highly catchy and the track had it’s capital S-W-agger up. The swing back and forth production on the verses makes for a great street anthem to bang in the speakers. T.I. gets his cocky swagger flow on while name-dropping high priced and well known brand names from Gucci or Louie rags. This is definitely a standout track on the album production and lyrically/delivery wise. I would probably say one of the best tracks on the album period. 5/5 stars for this Swizzy/T.I.P connection.

11. What’s Up, What’s Happening

I heard this song previous to the release. The production in my opinion is absolutely nuts! Drumma Boy really goes in on this with an original digital composition of hi-hats, hard hitting kicks and high energy tempo transitions and crescendos. T.I. gets his confident, aggressive flow on as he talks directly to his “haters”, (more likely an extended diss response to Shawty Lo, an artist who has been the most vocal of his criticism of the rapper). On the second verse, he breaks down his accomplishments in the game and how he still keeps his status in the streets and where he came from. Confirmation of it’s direction towards Shawty Lo are lines such as “Tell em take ya best shot gon get yourself hot, cuz I yelled "Bankhead" and you felt left out, I ain't mention yo’ name that's what all this bout?!”, as well as a satirical reenactment of a possible conversation that went down between Shawty Lo and other “hater” comrades of their plans to try to take T.I.’s career out when he was under fire for his gun charge.

“"I really hate his a**
I don't like him neither"
"We'll do a song together maybe then we could beat him"
"Somehow he must be stopped, something must be done"
"If we can't knock him off lets just try him when he get caught with guns"
“Then he'll be really done, and we really won"
"Any more ideas? Suggestions anyone?"
"How about we stay up all night? On the blog site"
"Spread vicious lies and nasty rumors we could all write"

Overall, I felt it was a very solid song and worthy of classic status. 5/5 stars for this joint.

12. Every Chance I Get

DJ Toomp served as a usual signature sounding “trill” sounding epic production. I felt the hook could have used work. I really wasn’t feeling T.I’s lyrics on the hook. I don’t know…I just didn’t personally like the subject matter. His lyrics were decent on this and it certainly didn’t lack clever wordplay. It’s a tad cockier and a little more on the obnoxious side than the previous tracks. Overall, I give this joint 3/5 stars. The beat bangs though. It certainly bangs. He definitely snapped on [Shawty Lo] hard with his angry commentary at the end of the song. LOL . Nice T.I.

13. Swagger Like Us (featuring Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne & MIA [through the sample]

We’ve heard enough of this for the past few weeks! LOL. Definitely an all star lineup. Kanye's production is decent. I wouldn't say it's his best, just like that "Jockin Jay-Z". It really wasn't moving me. The track sort of became boring after a while. Kanye's verse was pretty decent, though I did expect more for Ye, and the voice box needs to go. Jay's verse was decent, but it wasn’t classic Jay. I was a little disappointed with his effort. Lil Wayne did pretty straight. His verse wasn't too bad. But T.I smashed the track. In my opinion he had the best verse. That's how it should be on your own song, but with all those other legends, that's not how it should be. But that's how it panned out. This song is decent though. It's a definite banger. I can’t comment if it’s a classic or not yet. It needs a little more time to marinate. My favorite rapper Kanye seems to be dropping in illness to me, and I am a bit concerned with that. I'm hoping to hear some better stuff in the future. I will say though, this is a standout track on the album! Probably the second best on here. What T.I. said was straight truth: these verses on this album were definitely autobiographical.

14. Slide Show (featuring John Legend)

I’m loving the production from Blac Elvis. This is exactly what I expected from a T.I./John Legend collaboration. You have a classic John Legend vibe and T.I.’s introspective, soulful style flow with a twist of southern slur. I really hope this becomes a single. This is some true and absolutely real talk from T.I.P. The very soulful ballad sums up what true talent T.I has as an artist, one of the greatest of our times. 5/5 Stars. This is a definite classic. I wished for a third verse from T.I. It seemed like the track ended too quickly. That really leads me to believe it may be a single though and it’s short for radio purposes.

My favorite passage was:

As a juvenile, caught cases so fluently
Look at my life and learn from it, don’t do it
If I only knew back then what I know now
How much better life would’ve been if I’d have slowed down
Maybe I’d have been Kanye
Instead of seeing gunplay, but God got a plan
How I understand one day
But one day of life like a snapshot taken
Just believe you can make it
Have faith
Be patient

That definitely summed up T.I’s aim for this album which was to move away from the negative connotations of his image and begin to be anti-detrimental to his fans and listeners and society as a whole. He asks the generation to observe his life and learn from it, not glorify it.

You Ain’t Missing Nothing
‘
T.I. follows up with another slow ballad style joint. Drumma Boy showed an entirely style with the jazzy, melodic backdrop. T.I dropped some heartfelt rhymes about some people he’s lost and a good message to people he knows behind bars. This is definite classic status. A very sincere track for T.I’s peoples.

Dead and Gone

Justin Timberlake served up the track nicely. Production was great! T.I decided to end the album with a third slower, ballad style track. But he also returned to a fast paced “My Love” style flow, with a taste of Timbo style on the production. Definite autobiographical lyrics about the death of the old T.I. and the rebirth of the new T.I. Also, in my opinion, classic track. I hope it becomes a single as well. 5/5 Stars.

Overall, this was the greatest T.I. album I’ve ever heard and definitely one of the best from this year (Yes…way better than L.A.X in my opinion). I feel this puts T.I. up into primetime caliber, like the status of a Kanye West or Jay-Z, for the most part. He’s found himself as a person and taken responsibility, and above all else, he’s presented himself absolutely real. He opened his life up and spilled it into a notebook and recited it for us. You can’t argue with that. Not one bit! Not at all! I’m definitely not mad at the brother. Since EVERY track wasn’t a classic, I’ll have to give an overall rating of 4/5 stars, instead of perfection status, but it’s definitely close. I’d say it’s caught in that position between an above average album and a hip hop classic…wherever that place is…that’s where the album lies. So much so, I might even have to throw in an extra .5. Yeah. 4.5 stars for “Paper Trail.”. The last three tracks of the album were the kicker. Awesome composition from one of the greatest of our time in hip hop. I look forward to see what the future brings for T.I. Hope you enjoyed as well. That’s just my two cents…and then some.

Peace Easy

-Young Son (Michael Hannah)
Twin Cities Hip Hop Artist
Head Rep for:
Influential Melodiez™: An Unsigned Independent Collective
The Nu Twin Cities Brand™

Website: http://www.youngsonmusic.com
Email: youngsonmusic@gmail.com
Blog: http://theyoungsonblog.info
AOL Instant Messenger: youngson2k

classic

Gr8 Album no doubt and will b in tha top5 along with Detox,Em album end of the year with Weezy and Mayb Kanye If he stays off dat T-Pain shit 2 make tha top 5 albums of the year...neva tha less hot album 4*

This ablum was way better than T.I. vs. T.I.P, I think he could have when harder though but for the most part great ablum

Best album of the year so far for sure. I almost forgotten who Justin Timberlake was until I listened to "Dead & Gone"
Top job T.I, keep it up bro

Your a music industry KING!

this is T.I.'s best album by FAR. 2nd best album of the year to Atmospheres when life gives you lemons

I think it's the second best album of 2008 so far. Great production and great lyircs. Also has some good guest appearances. Better than Carter III. It's just a little better than LAX, but doesn't beat Nas' Untitled. It's a 4.5 and I'll round up.

Definately lived up to the hype of what i thought it was gona be. but its not that hard to beat his TI vs. TIP album bought that and i was disappointed. But back to this album because this album is a classic, goes back to the KING days. And yes that was a classic album

4.5 would have had a 5 if Let My Beat Pound was on it. Luv dat trak

Honestly i've only bumped it once so far so i havent really gotten into it yet nor have i been able to enjoy it on "another level" but i think this cd is still missing something. Still a retarted album best since carta 3 and even when T.I. sells out he still brings it...live your life i have..no problem telling people its hot but i agree where the hell is let me beat pound???? he was hyping that up months ago and it's not even on it!! as well dj blaze i'm going to question your djbooth authoirty and wonder how you think S.L.U. and swing your rag arnt bangers???? Thoes are easily the biggest banggers on this whole cd including whats up. I was at the club the other day and swagga like us came on and it was like the whole place shut down for 4 minutes to BANG! still a sick album not a classic tho i would go as far to say T.I. vs T.I.P. might be better you guys all underrate that cd which says something about t.i.s carrer...he could have released his last 3 albums and be done.....we have a month to sit on this because NEXT UP IS 'YE!!!!!

this album garbage

Garbage my ass!!! Best album by far 2008! Album is crazy! I can;t stop listening to it. T.I. = King

T.i. Is The Best.
I wonna suck his blood LOL!

Pop3y3 (Stupid Name)
You got bad taste in music.

wow so many opinions!!! ok here i go: 1) donjonjon: i luv da song wit da dream and was very sad to c it didnt make da album...i hate when artists paly wit my emotions like dat...havin my fav songs NOT included on da album(jazmine sullivan, trey songs, j holiday, da list goes on...) 2) michael hannah:LONG ASS REVIEW sweetie...damn ;-]....3)if u think dis album is garbage, KILL YO SELF NOW!!.....4)although i luv luda, i have to sadly say dat i think T.I. is a betta rapper. yes luda may sell more albums n da long ru but i have neva been able to listen to a luda albumn all da way thru wit out gettin bored or havin to skip a COUPLE tracks......5)i thought "king" was overrated too....6)how cud u possibly not like "Im Illy"?.....its my fav song so far!!!!!!!!! r u serious?...7)i luv "wat up wats happenin"....lmao and he shot da video n bowen homes where shawty lo "supposingly" b at....and dey was makin fun of da dance....hahaha too funny......8)"Paper Trail" is betta den "Da Carter 3"....9)Tiny is a lucky chick. Cuz I'd do sum thangs to T.I.'s sexy ass....lol and IM OUT DIS B***h!!!

this is T.I.'s bread and butter, good stuff

I'm illy! Enough said.

once again, classic. best album yet. now luda's album is up next. but not even tha carter III can touch this album

ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!! Great album by The King Of The South, The best songs on the album are Dead & Gone (With Timberlake), Whatever You Like, Swing Your Rag, No Matter What, Ready For Whatever & Slide Show (With John Legend). They were my favorite tracks, but really every song on the album is good and i could easily listen each 1 again.

Man this cd was prolly tha best all year naw this is the best cd in tha last 2 years. This is his 2nd best cd yet after Trap Muzik. I love every song on this cd the best is Im Illy, Every Chance I Get, Dead And Gone, Swagga Like Us, and On Top Of The World.

this iz tha most sikkist album everrrrrrr!

Solid album....but not as consistant track by track as King (my opinion)....the question still remains to be answered....who's the king of the south Tip or Luda?

Whatever you like and Live your life is the shit, but one of my personal favs is Like I do feat. The Dream who's part is sick.Should have replaced that with pornstar. Let me say again Whatever you like is one of fav songs of all time. Only because made that ablum on house arrest ill give him a 5, dats some 2pac right there. Plus swing your rag's beat and usher's my life your entertainment. dead aND gone is the way to end it. Lil wayne is still better lol

shouldn't of used all of his singles. sure it made people buy the album----------but when the rest of the material doesn't add up, his talent gets criticized--------come on TI, you can do better man.

The album is nice but it is not the best of the year but it is top three in front of Plies but after L.A.X. and Carter 3. Jeezy would be #5. It is a HOTT album much better than T.I. vs T.I.P. The track with Luda is the best and Luda killed it as only he can do.

good cd but not great not even close to best of the year the cd has some bangers and some songs i just cant stand and it really messes up the flow of the cd in my opinion this is not his best work but still a good cd

If this sheds any light...this is the first album I've bought in the last 3 years because this so far is my favorite of 2008 and prithee to this album I was far from a T.I. fan but I think yo boy's a convert. Michael Hannah and Nate both excellent reviews I must say though that Weezy was definitely number two on S.L.U without a doubt and it's unfortunate that L.A.X wasn't anywhere close to the rawness or completeness of this album. Here's to Jay and to the others droppin albums to close out a year that has been very memorable in hip-hop.

this album is classic... on top of the world was off the hook, slide show was sick, 56 bars was a tight intro... hip hop album of the year?

This sh** is horrible. This is guy is a killer of hip-hop. I hate this stupid mainstream crunk music.

solid album, my favorite is track 2.

I agree with Nathan in that I thought "Swagger like us" would be much better.

in response to what dj j said ti is more consitent than luda only 2 rappers along side ti who drops every year there are jay z and kanye . even if luda decided to drop every year i think people would get tired of him like they got tired of 50 cent because he has one style of rapping while ti is a versatille rapper like jay z you would never get tired of those guys cuz they are creative . hands down luda is great rapper word of mouth is a classic . i aggree when those two guys emerges in the rap scene luda was a better rapper but as the year goes by ti is evolving maturing is hungry for the top spot . while luda has stay in a steady rate. ti like to take risk while luda play it safe thats why is becomming a better rapper than luda

this c.d goes hard i like number 8

HOTTT AS ALBUM, fa real, no matter where you go you can hear sumbodi singing TI'z songz. paper trail one of the hottest albums out rite now. i consider TI one of the best rappers. good sht

HEY POP3Y3,OBVIOUSLY THESE PEOPLE HAVENT HEARD LAX AND/ OR RAW FOOTAGE...PFFFF! .....KEEP UPDATED WIT THAT DETOX!!

LUV T.I!!!

It's that sense of confidence and "extraordinary swag" that carries T.I. through all the trials and tribulations of his life, including beefs with multiple Southern artists and a rap sheet with as many criminal hits as he has chart hits. With his slick talking and often surprisingly introspective flow T.I.'s ability to flip it fast or slow and maintain clear diction on his flow even with a distinctive Georgia accent sets him far apart from his contemporaries. In other words, T.I. is just as much of a star as he thinks he is, and when you believe in yourself and have great ability you can achieve great things. You can hear him reaching for the stars and grabbing hold even on songs that HAVEN'T been released as singles...Congratulations to T.I. on finding the perfect balance of comedy and tragedy, swagger and humble attitude, pop music and hardcore hip-hop, living up to the nickname "Jay-Z of the South" in a big way....

My Top Picks

1. No Matter What
2. SLU
3. Live Ur Life
4. Whatever U Like
5. Slide Show
6. Im Illy

CLASSIC....ohhhhweeeee