T.I – PAPER TRAIL
T.I - Paper Trail
Without a doubt, one of the best Southern Rappers that went from “Urban Legand” to “King” to appearing on songs by Justin Timberlake, R. Kelly and Dj Khaled and combining street smart attitude with commercial appeal. His last album “T.I VS T.I.P” from last year went even further with a concept between the split personality T.I and T.I.P but while it had some of the best productions of last year (especially from Danja) the concept was old news and it didn’t work out that well either since the diffrence between the two was ice thin and T.I didn’t stick to the concept on all songs either. Just one year after he’s dropping a new album called “Paper Trail”. It may look strange that it’s successor is dropping so fast but alot of things happened in T.I life during the last year. He was arrested for weapon possesion and will eventually be serving 1 year in jail. In the meantime he’s been in house arrest writing down his lyrics (the first time since his debut) and partly writing songs about his reflections about his life and his crime, which is rare for T.I. But as usual, the album offers much more, we got the club songs, the radio hits, the #1 single “Whatever You Like” and some battle songs aswell. The production is good as always and feature guys like Danja, Dj Toomp, Jim Jonsin, Drumma Boy and Swizz Beatz to mention a few. What is there to expect from “Paper Trail”? is it as good as it sounds on the same level as “King”? Let’s read on to find out.
The album opens up with a freestyle intro called “56 Barz” which is mostly braggadoccio with a repetitive DJ Toomp beat. “I’m Illy” is simular in conent to the intro, but the beat is a little better. For instance, He’s saying that he’s the best rapper since Tupac. New star producer Drumma Boy is next out with a very nice cut called “Ready For Whatever” that is a mix between computer beats and guitar riffs and stand out as alot of his productions, keep his name on your mind. The lyrics are also very personal since they reflect the weapon charges aswell as the man behind it and the reasons why it happened and his anxiety to go to jail. A definite standout. “On Top Of The World” a modern Hip Hop song with heavy bass and electro beats feature Ludacris and B.o.B on the hook. Both of the rappers deal with fame and success. Good song aswell, especially the verse by Luda. “Live Your Life” with Rihanna on the hook and a production or theft by Just Blaze who borrows the entire song from Moldavian pop group O’Zone’s “Dragostea Din Tei”. Just Blaze use to be bad when he borrowed every good 70′s Soul song but this is the most unoriginal yet. The lyrics on the other hand are good aswell as Rihanna’s hook. “Whatever You Like” is currently topping the Billboard chart making it T.I’s biggest hit to date. It’s a commercial cut with alot of swagger for the ladies, with Jim Jonsin as the producer. Recently he also produced Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop”. No one can deny this is another winner.
When You thought things couldn’t get better comes the best song, the Danja produced “No Matter What” is unusual for him but is driven by an emotional bluesy guitar riff and computer beats. T.I reply to doubters of his credability and tells us his story of who he is and where he came from. One of his alltime best aswell as one of his deepest. Drumma Boy is back with a R&B influented song with omnipotent Usher Raymond on the hook. This songs deals with the down and lows of being a celebrity. Another potential single. The Lil’ C produced “Pornstar”, is creative in production and not as naughty as the title would refer to, just another song for the ladies. Infact it’s quite enjoyable, especially the hook from Ricco Barrino (Yeah he’s Fantasia’s brother). “Swing Ya Rag” is a standard Swizzy production (him also chanting the hook), with brassy horns and marching beats. It’s a deja vu but way better then the average Swizzy song lately. It’s purpose? Get up and dance. More from Drumma Boy on “What’s Up, What’s Happening” a diss on Shawty Lo which is quite good aswell. Dj Toomp is back on “Every Chance I Get” that shows T.I’s rougher sides, some people are gonna like this for sure I found it rather annoying. “Swagga Like Us” produced by Kanye West samples a part from M.I.A and also shows that West is trading Soul for Pop. It also feauture Jay-Z and Lil Wayne and a West using the Audio Tune. They declare they got swagga and that’s why they stick around why others dissapear. Although it looks good on paper, the hook here is almost unbearable. “Slide Show” a duet with John Legend is a very personal song once again and T.I talks about chosing the rigtht path in life. While Legend is a good vocalist, It could’ve been more of a hit with someone with a more pop-oriented voice. Even more from Drumma Boy on “You Ain’t Missin Nothin” A reflective song for the people locked up or formerly locked up. This one is slow and a little jazzy and sound nothing like Drumma Boy, let alone Hip Hop. The closer “Dead Gone” was produced and feature Justin Timberlake. It’s a somber mid tempo with a fast rapping T.I saying that he’s rougher sides are gone and that he’s a new man. Good way to end the album.
Overall, Perhaps this is the best T.I album to date. It’s both commercial and reflective with a good mix between modern futuristic productions and some more unusual suprises. It’s the the most personal T.I album to date and after listening to his last album it would almost look impossing to archive. I’m surprised and overwhelmed and enjoying most of the songs of this album. Although I hardly give commercial Hip Hop albums high votes I’m willing to make and exception here because of the factors involved and the incredible progress that T.I made from his last album. For the first time in a while there is a rapper combining commercial appeal with personal integrity. This album is gonna entertain all kinds of people and it’s easy to get into aswell. 5, a must check out.
Final verdict 
