LL Cool J - Exit 13

LL Cool J has been around since 1985 after appearing in the cult film “Krush Groove” and dropping the classic Rick Rubin produced “Radio“, one of the first albums to come out of Def Jam, aswell as one of the greatest Rap albums of all time with it’s hard minimalistic style and no-nonsense lyrics. He invented the Hip Hop ballad with “I Need Love” from his next album “Bigger and Deffer” and he helped bridging the gap between Hip Hop and crossover appeal on “Walking with a Panther” aswell as being the fore runner for Bling Bling with it’s album cover. And One year later finding the perfect weight between commercialism and attitude on the Marley Mark produced “Mama Said Knock You Out“, another Hip Hop classic. However his greatest strengt was always the songs for the ladies. LL rarely had explicit lyrics on his album, only happened twice and he was also able to find good colaborations at any time, working with anyone from Diddy, to Timbaland and the Neptunes. A career that stretches over three decades is impressive, especially considering that none of the Rappers from the mid 80′s are still popular. But lately LL’s albums haven’t been so good, they always had hit singles but overall they weren neither too memorable or grounbreaking. His last album “Todd Smith” left alot to be desired to say the least. On his new album “Exit 17″, originally called “Todd Smith 2 : Back To Cool” he tries to rejuvenate himself further. Handpicking in demand producers like JR Rotem, Ryan Leslie and Tricky Stewart aswell as calling old collegues like Marley Mark and DJ Scratch. This is his third album that got explicit lyrics and part of the reason is that he’s trying way hard to aply to current trends. But that’s isn’t entirely a mainstream album, LL gives us songs for the ladies “American Girl”, “Cry” and the hit “Baby” with the Dream aswell as classic hard edge songs “You Better Watch Me”, “This Is My Ring Tone” and one political manifestation “Mr President” just in time for the presidential race and one about the demise of Hip Hop, called “Dear Hip Hop”. The naughty “Feel My Heart Beat” with 50 Cent is just embarrasing and is everything that LL never did in the past and on “Old School New School” he seem to be saying he’s one of the best, which is true if the year was 1993 and a failed party song called “Time For Party” with Fat Joe, that sounds more like 50 Cent by the way. But apart from some weak moments, there are highlights too. The Tricky Stewart produced Hit “Baby” is great aswell as “Cry” with Lil Mo with a really nice hook. On the somewhat cheesy “Like A Radio” Ryan Leslie goes old skool with beats resembling the 80′s and a title that makes references to his classic album. I actually enjoy “Mr President” with Wyclef Jean singing a great hook over a funky beat and LL talking about problems going on in USA. The aformentioned closer “Dear Hip Hop” is another highlight, simular to the song Nas did some years ago but this one is very soulish in production.

Overall, This one got it’s fair share of lacklusters, especially with songs where LL tries to rejuvenate himself by trying to sound mianstream, but on other songs he disses contemporary Hip Hop claiming that he’s one of the pioneers and still the best (huh?). However, it also got some pretty good songs like the some songs for the ladies and some harder songs, aswell as “Mr President” and “Dear Hip Hop” that both are welcome surprises. Hence the album is better then people are saying. While it’s sometimes unfocused, give credit to the man for sticking around and still making good music every now and then. I’ve heard better I’ve heard worse, but who cares LL still got my full respect. He’s been there, he’s done that. He’s LL. 3’5 stars.

Ne-Yo - Year of the Gentleman

Few people have made as big impact in music as Ne-Yo, probably the most talented songwriter to come out in the last decade. Ne-Yo wrote songs for a myraid of artists including Beyonce’s “Irreplaceanble” #1 , Mario’s “Let Me Lov You”, #1 Rihanna’s “Unfaithfull” #2 “Take A Bow” #1 and now also Jennifer Hudson’s excellent single “Spotlight”. On top of that he was still able to record two solo albums in two years “In My Own Words” 2006 and “Because Of You” 2007 with hits like “So Sick” #1. “Sexy Love #7 “Because Of You” #2 and “Closer” #8. In others words, Ne-Yo is is nothing short of excellent and as productive as he is right now there is no way you missed him. His third album, “Year Of The Gentleman” is aparently a tribute to the Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr) that have been influentual for Ne-Yo both cause they were good singers and cause they dressed elegantly, something that Ne-Yo also does. The album on the other hand is very simular to his previous two. So, all these rumours that he would be collaborating with Timbaland (and several big time guests like Beyonce) was proven false. Ne-Yo, Stargate and other simular producer are mostly behind this, apart from the Polow Da Don produced NKOTB “Single” which also appeared on their last album. In one way you may wonder why Ne-Yo once again play save with music we already know he got full control over, but who knows how his genuine songwriting would be adapted to the heavy synths and drums of Timbaland? and would Ne-Yo still be intersting enough if he was paired up with Singers better then him?. Anyway, “Year Of The Gentleman” is a very good album and if you like his previous stuff you’re gonna enjoy this one too.

First single “Closer” doesn’t need much of a presentation, it’s one of the faster Ne-Yo songs to date with a great hook and a dance-pop sound. He sings about the obsessive attraction he gets over watching a beautiful woman. The song peaked at #1 in the UK And #8 in the US. Second song “Nobody” is Michael Jackson influenced and somewhat resembling “Can We Chill” from his last album. Another good song. I was surprised to find “Single” with NKOTB here, cause Ne-Yo normally doesn’t include songs he wrote for other artists on his own albums, like “Hate That I Love You” for Rihanna but on this particular version NKOTB doesn’t appear and suddenly the song is much better. “Mad” not to be mistaken for his other song “When You’re Mad”, is one of my favorites. Infact it’s a little simular lyrically, Ne-Yo sings he doesn’t want to go to bed “Mad at You”. This is a brilliant midtempo. Second single “Miss Independent” with that synth beat resembling Kanye West’s “Flashing Light” is also excellent and one of the more commercial songs here. You got to love the strong, hardworking independent women that know what they want. Only Ne-Yo would dare coming up with a song like this.

Next up is a song called “Why Does She Stay” a ballad. Ne-Yo sais that his girlfriend is “So Much Better Then Me” and wonders why she stays when he’s both lazy and always working. “I’m So Unworth Of Her”, but it’s because “She’s In Love”. He ends the song by saying So “I take my time and do what im suppose to do/Because i just cant see my life without you”. A song better for it’s lyrics then for it’s charisma. “Fade Into The Background” another slower/midtempo song about missing out the chance to hook up with a lady. Ne-Yo sings “I Just walked in sat down silent/ I stood outside for awhile/ Wondering why did I come here /Face it you messed up and now she’s with somebody else” This is a song almost anyone can relate too, this song in particular got married with someone else. “So You Can Cry” is also lyrically excellent about a heartbreaken girl. Ne-Yo sais he wants to “Go have calamari/And maybe a drink” but if she’s still sad “I’ll ask the sun to shine away from you today so you can cry (if that’s what you want)”. “Part Of The List”, he mentioned things that he miss, and his ex-girlfriend is part of that list. “Back To What You Know” is slighlty faster with guitar riffs, here Ne-Yo said that if a girl don’t love him and is thinking of her ex she can go back to him instead. Proposed third single “Lie To Me”, is simular to the previous song while the closer “Stop This World” unusual for a Ne-Yo song with majestic “We Are The World” arrangements, but it’s another love song about being in love. “And I see Heaven when she looks at me/
In her smile is the most amazing dream/ And in her eyes I fall asleep/ And I hope, Hope that she can see through the smoke
Of my imperfections into my soul/ And my heart where she has control”. Beautiful.

Overall, another good Ne-Yo album, nuff said. If you liked his previous stuff you’re gonna love this one too. It seem like the first 5 songs are more commercial and the rest are deeper love songs where the lyrics are in focus. So, basically there is something for everyone here. I needed about 2-3 listens to get into the songs but when I did I absolutely love them. Ne-Yo did it again, and so far this is the best R&B album of the year. Recommended.

Michael Jackson – You are not alone!

Michael Jackson

So much memories, so much sorrow.

We will always dance to “Billie Jean”, cry to “You are not alone” and feel love and anger listening to “Earth song” and “They don’t really care about us”.

You are not alone Michael, though we’re far apart – you are always in our hearts!

Solo Soundtracks:

1972: Got to be there

1972: Ben

1973: Music & Me

1975: Forever, Michael

1979: Off the wall

1982 Thriller

1987: Bad

1991: Dangerous

1995: HIStory, past, present, future

2001: Invincible

Ciara Fantasy Ride

On the cover of this album she looks like a superhero ready to save the world, but will the record sales save her?. Pushed back and re-organized many times “Fantasy Ride” released May 5 looks nothing like it was proposed a few months back in 2008. First of all it was suppost to be a 3 disc album combining Crunk, Uptempo R&B and Slow Jamz and many wonderful songs that were previously leaked out indicated that it was going to be something big. But for unknown reasons it was scrapped down to just one ordinary disc with 13 songs and many of the proposed hits are nowhere to be found here. Songs like “Yearbook”, ThgeT-Pain uptempo “Go Girl” the Ne-Yo penned ballad “Supernatural”, “Common Denominator” and the Danja beat of the year “Echo” that is only a bonus track for the Deluze edition now. All this fuss suddenly make a possible album of the year look like something rather usual and the only thing I can do is judge is for what it is not for what it was meant to be. Regardless of this Ciara has been making miracles during the last few years, from being the “Queen of Crunk” she’s proven to be more versatile then most people though, her 2006 album “Ciara: The Evolution” was good evidence on that with hits like “Promise” and “Like a Boy”, that why I’m looking forward to see if the evolution of one of the finest artist will continue or reach a creative dead end. Read on to find out.

It all starts with a ballad called “Ciara To the Stage” produced by Tricky Strewart, the man that defines music in 2009. Eventhough it got and ankward name it’s not an intro, it clocks at 3.45 and is a decent ballad but no hit. A new formed production trio with Jutsin Timberlake called The Y’s is next out on “Love, Sex, Magic” that was even this album’s second single. Personally I find it mediocre at best and reminds me alot of the funky Neptunian pop of “Rock Your Body”, It Timbakand hadn’t teached Mr Timbaland how to make a beat there’s not a change that he would be having a song in his own name on a Ciara album. The next song “High Price” also from Tricky Stewart is actually not much better even if it was among the first songs I heard from “Fantasy Ride”, it’s a crunk headache with a bass beat that is very loud, cool studio teqnique but a hit for the radio? I’m not buying it. Ludacris appears and yes he makes one of his useful annoying appearences. “Turnables” is produced by Danja and feature now Music reject Chris Brown. While I think the beat is the weakest of the Danja productions here, it’s probably the one of biggest chance to get airplay, It’s basically a uptempo song but far from Crunk. “Like A Surgeon” (No relation to the Weird Al song) is a hit from Tricky/The Dream and you can expect a fascinating musical journey in slow tempo, but it doesn’t convince me of being her next hit. Polow Da Don produced “Never Ever”, is sort of a remake on Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes 1972 hit “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”, It proved unsuccessful eventhough it isn’t bad. Young Jeezy make an appearence too by the way. “Lovers Thing” is one of the best with The Dream(also appearing)/Los Da Mystro in topform with a smooth love duet. “Work” the second Danja single here is another clubfiller with a typical Danja beat that is both dancable and futuristic, It features Missy Elliott but for little use. What’s up with all these collaborations anyway? Can’t Ciara stand on her own legs?. “Pucker Up” produced by Darkchild, is another good dance hit but it feels like it’s beats over hook since you hardly recall what she’s been singing or what the hook goes. “G Is for Girl (A-Z)” The second song from JT and it sounds like a leftout from Pussycat Dolls last album. “Keep Dancin’ On Me” is another winner from Tricky/The Dream, the best slow jam on this set for sure. “Tell Me What Your Name Is”  was produced by Dr Luke, the man behind Kate Perry’s superhit “Hot & Cold”, this one is more Dance Pop then anything and not too bad actually. “I Don’t Remember” is from Polow Da Don and written By Ne-Yo, who also sing backround is the odd song out since it doesn’t have any particularly interesting production, why couldn’t “Supernatural” be included instead?. There’s a couple of bonus songs too, depending on which edition you have,. “Echo”, “I’m On”, “Go Girl” etc. But the normal edition closes at 13 songs.

Overall, This album is not bad but it couldn’ve been better. Too many songs are too simular and they’re more beatoriented for their own good. Infact most songs are dance-pop and it become a little repetitive after some time. I sure miss many songs here that were proposed for the 3 disc album and many of them would have made the diffrence since they are better then many songs included here. There are also too many guests, many of them only making irrelevent intros and guest verses and not contributing much. It’s hard to not be dissapointed considering that I thought this woul’dve been album of the year in it’s initial form. Having said that “Fantasy Ride” is ok, and got a few memorable moments but it also got alot of filler. 3’5 stars, cause it’s well produced and still differs from the majority of music out there.

The Lyrics

“If I were a boy
even just for a day
I’d roll out of bed in the morning
and throw on what I wanted and go

Drink beer with the guys
and chase after girls
I’d kick it with who I wanted
and I’d never get confronted for it
cause they stick up for me

If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I’d be a better man
I’d listen to her
Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
Cause he’s taking you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

(R. Kelly)
If you were a boy
then girl you’d understand
you need to stop listening to your friends
love, respect and trust your man

So I go to clubs with the guys
and sometimes flirt with the girls
I should be able to roll out
as long as I’m coming home to you
and give you the world

But you are not a boy,
so you don’t have a clue (ey)
How I work and pay the bills
girl everything I do is for you (eh eh)

(Beyonce)
I’d listen to her
Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
Cause he’s taking you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

If I were a Boy (Beyonce)

If I were a Girl (Kelly)

I would turn off my phone (Beyonce)

I wouldn’t play games (Kelly)

Tell everyone it’s broken
so they’d think that I was sleeping alone (Beyonce)

Girl you know that’s wrong (Kelly)

I’d put myself first
and make the rules as I go
Cause I know that she’ll be faithful,
waiting for me to come home, to come home.

But you are not a boy,
so you can’t understand
You are not a perfect woman
and I am not a perfect man (remix,remix)

I’d listen to her (eh eh)
Cause I know how it hurts (Kelly: and I know how you feel)
When you lose the one you wanted
Cause he’s taking you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

Kelly: Said I’m sorry

It’s a little too late for you to come back

but I cant let you go
cause I’m too attached (Kelly)

If you thought I would wait for you
you thought wrong

But you’re just a boy”

We did the test with Beyonce!

Beyonce as Old

Flo Rida R.O.O.T.S

Flo Rida (a play on the state he comes from) was the rapper that plauged us with the annoying superhit “Low” one year ago. A typical example of the brainless pop-rap songs that are dominating the radio at the moment. It’s really commercial pop, cause Flo Rida got as much in common with Public Enemy and Eric B & Rakim and Madonna. Debut album “Mail On Sunday” was the typical commercial mainstream release with dance floor grooves, sing-a-long hook and big time productions but it still ended up feeling quite mediocre. One year later he’s back again in order to not end up in the one hit wonder cemetary and against all odds he manged to score another big hit, the #1 with “Right Round”, that cowardly borrows the hook from Dead Or Alives 1984 hit “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) aparently the new generation didn’t hear the original cause this one is nothing special. But does the album have more to offer then thatg, unless you just care for having a good time at the clubs?. Sophmore album “R.O.O.T.S” stands for “Route Of Overcoming The Struggle) and may be a ankward name considered that Flo Rida is a commercial rapper. Let’s that a look at the songs.

First there is a song that was aparently produced by Drumma Boy and it’s called “Finally Here”, One of few singles that doesn’t feature any guests and for good and bad it’s also less commercial. with a autobiographical concept. The second song with wannane Hip Hop girl Nelly Furtado, “Jump” is just embarassing and painfully bad with a electro bass beat and a hook written in 1 minute. “Gotta Get It” plays on the hook from Tina Turners “Private Dancer” but that’s where the simularity ends. Another dead end. Jim Jonsin (Whatever You Like, Lillipop) is the producer of “Shone” featuring Pleasure P, a talentless member of Pretty Ricky. The song is also for the clubs and beat-wise it resembles most of Jonsin previous hits but this one doesn’t deliver. The title track is obviously self autobiographical aswell where he talks about his childhood but it’s missplaced on an a party album like this. The token Ne-To/Stargate song arrives just in time with “Be On You”, not bad per se but we heard it before. The Eric Hudson produced “Mind on My Money” got an obvious theme, but actually it’s one of the better songs musically and it’s not as corny as the avarage rap song dealing with money. “Available” from will.i.am and a hook from Akon is just like the Stargate song, more of the same of a producer out of ideas. “Touch Me” borrows the hook from Benny Benassi’s Techno hit “Satisfaction” and got the usual nonsense lyrics, isn’t there any more creativity then this?. Another conscious song is Happy Perez “Never” but it’s missplaced and boring. The worst song is the uninspiring remake of Eiffel 65′s Eurodance hit “Blue(Da Ba Dee), I didn’t think Hip Hop could go sink this low but this is beyond ludicrous. Wyclef Jean joins in to the closer “Rewind” where Flo Rida tries to be conscious again, next time save it for Common or Lupe Fiasco.

Overall, This is not really a rap album, more like pop like Keri Hilson or Beyonce but as bad as you could imagine it, None of the club songs is original or entertaining and none of the personal songs is touch or interesting. The ironic thing is that a song like “Right Round” actually topped the billboard charts. What’s happening to Hip Hop when talentless artist like this are dominating while original artists are struggling in the backround?. I suppose this album could be could be enjoyed when you’re just got paid and yoru’re drinking in a club but if you play the same album the day after you just wanna “Rewind” and wish you never embarrased yourself that much. While Flo Rida’s last album was ok, this one offers nothing interesting at all and should be avoided at all costs.

Final verdict:

It wont be long
Before I get you by my side
And just hold you, tease you, squeeze you
Tell you what’s been on my mind

I wanna make up right now, na na
I wanna make up right now, na na
Wish we never broke up right now, na na
We need to link up right now, na na

I wanna make up right now, na na
I wanna make up right now, na na
Wish we never broke up right now, na na
We need to link up right now, na na

Girl I know mistakes were made between us two
And we show our eyes that night
Even said somethings weren’t true
Why’d you go and haven’t seen my girl since then
Why can’t it be the way it was?
Cos you were my homie, lover and friend

I wanna make up right now, na na
I wanna make up right now, na na
Wish we never broke up right now, na na
We need to link up right now, na na

I wanna make up right now, na na
I wanna make up right now, na na
Wish we never broke up right now, na na
We need to link up right now, na na

I can’t lie
I miss you much
Watching everyday that goes by
I miss you much
Until I get you back I’m gonna try
Yes I miss you much
You are the apple of my eye
Girl I miss you much

I miss you much
I can’t lie
I miss you much
Watching everyday that goes by
I miss you much
Until I get you back I’m gonna try
Yes I miss you much
You are the apple of my eye
Girl I miss you much
I miss you much

I wanna make up right now, na na
I wanna make up right now, na na
Wish we never broke up right now, na na
We need to link up right now, na na

I wanna make up right now, na na
I wanna make up right now, na na
Wish we never broke up right now, na na
We need to link up right now, na na

I want you to fly with me
Want you to fly
I miss how you lie with me
Miss how you lie
Just wish you could dine with me
Wish you could dine
One that would grind with me
One that would grind with me

I want you to fly with me
Want you to fly
I miss how you lie with me
Miss how you lie
Just wish you could dine with me
Wish you could dine
One that would grind with me
One that would grind

I wanna make up right now, na na
I wanna make up right now, na na
Wish we never broke up right now, na na
We need to link up right now, na na

I wanna make up right now, na na
I wanna make up right now, na na
Wish we never broke up right now, na na
We need to link up right now, na na

I see the guys tryin holla, girl I don’t wanna bother you,
‘Cause you’re independent and you got my attention,
Can I be your baby father? Girl, I just wanna show you,
That I love what you are doin’ hun

I see you in the club, you gettin’ down girl,
I wanna get with you, yeah,
I see you in the club, you showin’ thugs love,
I wanna get with you

You’re so beautiful,
So damn beautiful,
Said you’re so beautiful,
So damn beautiful

You’re so beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful ( x2)
You’re so beautiful

Like the clouds you,
Drift me away, far away, yeah,
And like the sun you,
Brighten the day, you brighten my day, yeah

I never wanna see you cry cry cry,
And I never wanna tell a lie lie lie,
Said I never wanna see you cry cry cry,
And I never wanna tell a lie lie lie

I see you in the club, you getting’ down girl,
I wanna get with you, yeah,
I see you in the club, you showing’ thugs love,
I wanna get with you

You’re so beautiful,
So damn beautiful,
Said you’re so beautiful,
So damn beautiful

You’re so beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful (x2)
You’re so beautiful

Kardinal told you, whether the sky blue or yellow,
This fella ain’t that mellow if it ain’t about you!,
Hourglass shape make a place go ‘woo!’
Waistline makes my soldier salute

I’m a brute, high from your high heel game,
High heels push up ya ass last name,
And you livin’ in the fast lane, eyes like an angel,
Goddess, watch my gal and how she undress

Spotless, heartless, bad to the bone,
Make me wanna go put me in the triple-X zone,
Lames don’t know how to talk to you,
So let me walk with you, hold my hand

I’ma spend them grands but after you undress,
Not like a hooker but more like a Princess,
Queen, Empress, President,
Pull anywhere you go on Earth ’cause you’re beautiful, okay?

I see you in the club, you getting’ down girl,
I wanna get with you, yeah,
I see you in the club, you showin’ thugs love,
I wanna get with you

You’re so beautiful,
So damn beautiful,
Said you’re so beautiful,
So damn beautiful

You’re so beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful (x2)
You’re so beautiful

Where’d you come from? You’re outta this world to me,
You’re a symbol of what every beautiful woman should be, ooh wee

I never wanna see you cry cry cry,
And I never wanna tell a lie lie lie,
Said I never wanna see you cry cry cry,
And I never wanna tell a lie lie lie

I see you in the club, you gettin’ down girl,
I wanna get with you, yeah,
I see you in the club, you showin’ thugs love,
I wanna get with you

You’re so beautiful,
So damn beautiful,
Said you’re so beautiful,
So damn beautiful,
You’re so beautiful”

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