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ALBUM REVIEW
 Artist: T.I.
Album: Paper Trail
Exec. Producer: T.I.P.
Label: Atlantic
Release Date: September 30, 2008
One of the most heavily anticipated albums to hit shelves to mark the end of the summer. Clifford Harris is able to deliver one of his most potent works to date. The title of the album is a direct reference to his return to penning his rhymes – something he hasn't done since his debut I'm Serious.
Yeah you remember that $#!t huh? That album was like the Reasonable Doubt of my freshman year in high school. And let me not forget to mention the all-star ensemble cast of industry heavyweights ranging from Lil' Wayne to Justin Timberlake.Oh and all this was being worked on whilst he was on house arrest for pending gun charges.
The production is also USDA approved. I mean seriously, what would a T.I. album be without Toomp and Drumma Boy running the boards. I mean that's the big 3 of Atlantic records and T.I. kind of does look like a light skinned Ray Allen. Toomp runs the first two tracks of the album with "56 Barz" and sets it off with the swagger slathered tune "I'm Illy", a track on which T.I.P. shows why he's one of the best MCs to flex rhymes out of the south:
"Rebel for the hell of it/hella rich/Never have to sell a brick again must I tell a bitch again/The bullshit I'm addressing check em' on some next level $#!t/never been #u¢k&d in the game I'm celibate" – "I'm Illy"
Those bars pretty much give you a broad idea of what to expect for an artist like T.I.; on point delivery, a swagger bigger than the continent of Asia, and did I mention the ESPN highlight worthy metaphors Shall I hit you with another one kemosabi?
"Live Your Life" features Rihanna singing the hook and with T.I. giving a shoutout to our troops fighting a senseless war on two fronts. This track is seen as motivational with a general message; to give thanks for what you have and to not complain about what you don't posess at the given time. Humility – a virtue many people couldn't afford to do without at least in this day and age. With a simple yet driving beat produced by Just Blaze which got my attention, and in all fairness T.I.P. explains what it is that he does:
"I'm the opposite of moderate/ immaculately polished with/ the spirit of a hustler and the swagger of a college kid/ Allergic to the counterfeit/ Impartial to the politics/ Articulate but still will grab a n!%%@ collar quick/" – "Live Your Life"
The aforementioned is the reason why I sometimes call T.I. the Joe Pesci of hip-hop.
We move into one of the heaviest tracks not only on the album but pretty much since it was made available for Digital Download back in July. "Whatever You Like" – courtesy of Jim Jonsin (Lil' Wayne – Lollipop, Pretty Ricky, Danity Kane) also featuring elements from "Redemption" the theme from "Rocky II". Like I've said many times, sampling is an art, not a crime. What moved me most about the track is the simple drum pattern that carries nothing BUT weight. You'd have to be at a club to feel this track the same way I do.
After we slide through one of the aforementioned bangers we move to a track entitled "No Matter What" produced by Danja who got his shot from Timberland back in the day (he was a studio rat just like me) this particular beat isn't gonna make me jump out of my seat or anything but the message of adversity and perserverance is what made me pay attention.
"My Life Your Entertainment" is one of those joints that every realist out there can appreciate. I say this because it speaks truth in the fact that some people who idolize the lifestyle that T.I. has therefore making it something they wish to obtain themselves. Now that my friend is entertainment in and of itself.
And what's a T.I. album without a joint for the shorties? With Lil C' running the point (Shoulder Lean) With the same presence and strength of past glories such as "Why You Wanna" and "Let's Get Away", Mr. Harris once again has failed to disappoint his already dense female population.
The joint of the summer comes right after and hit me like a kick in the nuts with spiked Timberland boots "Swing Ya Rag" with it's heavy Mike Tysonesque production done by none other than Swizz Beatz. This was a track that had me moshing with the nearest 4 people around me (too bad 2 of the 4 people were an elderly couple – lesson learned for them at least) Swizz without a doubt does T.I.P. justice and churns out a freshly baked single that will definitely assure him platinum status. Why this track didn't peak past top 20 on the Billboards is totally beyond me.
Once again another Drumma Boy banger comes in the form of "What's Up What's Happenin" which is a direct diss to Shawty Lo. Peaking at number #5 on the Billys.
We move on to another certified joint entitled "Every Chance I Get" pretty much another concoction by Toomp crashing the boards with those dastardly horns and strings and T.I. lets out the Casinoesque swagger he's been know for since jump street.
The album concludes with excellent production especially on the track "Swagga Like Us" which is the first track that Kanye West produced since the death of his mother. This track features the current Mt. Rushmore of the rap game. (Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne in that order). Check out Kanye's verse and then listen to him on the "Put it On" remix. Does something sound familiar? I thought so.
The home stretch of the album continues with "You Ain't Missing Nothing" (Toomp) and rounds out with "Dead and Gone" a track produced by Justin Timberlake, FEATURING Justin Timberlake with consideration from Rob Knox.
Overall this album has enough diversity to keep even the most itchy skip-track finger in check. Furthermore, unlike most albums that come out in this bling-bling, misogyny slathered genre we call "hip-hop" today, Paper Trail isn't over saturated with guest appearances. Rest assured the singles which are nicely apportioned throughout the album, will keep the most avid T.I. fan glued to their seats already anticipating his next work or run-in with the law whichever comes first.
s3kshun8SonicAmp Rating: 9/10 |
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