Paper Trail - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
T.I. has grown to truly be one of his generation's most captivating speakers. Whether he's conversing frankly with a room full of youth about the positive side of staying in school and following their dreams, or moving tens of thousands at one of his concerts, the audiences are immediately engrossed by the King of the South's words. T.I., here delivers his most potent and important LP to date; 'Paper Trail.' The title is a direct reference to T.I.'s return to literally writing down his lyrics- a practice he hasnt engaged in since his debut. By going back to the basics T.I. has evolved into a better MC. The album features guest appearances and production by Lil Wayne. Rihanna, Usher, The Dream, Fall Out Boy, Kanye West, B.O.B, John Legend, DJ Toomp, Swizz Beatz, Drumma Boy, & Danja. This is the explicit version.

Album Description
Explicit Version.T.I. has grown to truly be one of his generations most captivating speakers. Whether he's conversing frankly with a room full of youth about the positive side of staying in school and following their dreams, or moving tens of thousands at one of his concerts, the audiences are immediately engrossed by the King of the South's words. T.I., here delivers his most potent and important LP to date; Paper Trail. The title is a direct reference to T.I.'s return to literally writing down his lyrics- a practice he hasnt engaged in since his debut. By going back to the basics T.I. has evolved into a better MC. The album features guest appearances and production by Lil Wayne. Rihanna, Usher, The Dream, Fall Out Boy, Kanye West, B.O.B, John Legend, DJ Toomp, Swizz Beatz, Drumma Boy, & Danja. 16 tracks.

Customer Reviews: Read 82 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Hova may have anointed Wayne, but T.I. just staged a coup September 30, 2008
51 out of 55 found this review helpful

Ostensibly, "Paper Trail" is a reference to T.I. taking the time to put his thoughts on paper rather than relying on spontaneity and his mental notebook for his lyrics. Having listened to the album closely I'd like to draw two additional meanings from the title, each alluding to our old friends T.I. and T.I.P. First, there is a set of songs on this album that read unmistakably like pages from a diary, songs that are deeply personal and insightful. The second "Paper Trail" is simply money, and it inspires a set of songs about the fun and the swagger that comes with fortune. On "Paper Trail," T.I. expertly walks the line between relevance and entertainment, and delivers a magnum opus.

Four tracks best illustrate the lyrical diary I gleaned from this album. Lead single "No Matter What" is a window into T.I.'s time under house arrest and is astounding in its sincerity and lyrical complexity, he raps "Even though it's heavy, the load I'll still carry it/ Grin and still bear it, win and still share it/ Apologies to the fans, I hope you can understand it/ Life can change directions, even when you ain't plan it." "Ready for Whatever" is a stunningly honest explanation of his weapons charges, "Yes officially I broke the law, but not maliciously/...Either die or go to jail, that's a heck of a decision/ But I'm wrong and I know it, my excuse is unimportant." "Slide Show" blessed by John Legend is likely the most inspirational rap track of the year, on which T.I. advises his fans, "Don't forget that impossible is nothing, your environment is irrelevant/ Just don't let your emotions, overpower your intelligence/ Refuse to give up, Your mistakes don't define you/ They don't dictate where you're headed, they remind you." "Dead and Gone" with Justin Timberlake calls on listeners to let cooler heads prevail in tense situations, "No more stress, now I'm straight/ Now I get it, now I take/ Time to think before I make mistakes, just for my family's sake." These four tracks, and additionally "Live Your Life" and "You Ain't Missing Nothin", represent T.I.'s nuanced understanding of not only rap and music, but of life itself.

T.I.P. and the financially-focused half of the album come into sharp relief on more carefree tracks including hit single "Whatever You Like." "Swing Ya Rag," which will have even the most jaded gangster on the dance floor also falls into this category as does "Every Chance I Get." One would be remiss to not mention goliath record "Swagger Like Us" featuring Kanye West, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne (obligatory verse ranking: Tip, Hov', Weezy, `ye).

In sum, this album manages to cater to both listeners that are looking for a message and those looking for an escape. It is not without its problems (how "Porn Star" made the album over the leaked "Like I Do," I'll never know) but a T.I. album with a blemish outshines 99% of records today. Personally, it is my album of the year.

1 out of 5 stars

Another Run-o-the-mill "Hip-Hop" Album September 30, 2008
11 out of 37 found this review helpful

So I bought this album about an hour ago, and I have listened through. Its Pretty Bad.
I won't say its abysmal, but it's pretty close.

Standard Synth chords, Standard Auto-Tune Vocals on half the album. Standard beats with nothing
more than a low-kick and snappy snare about em. A standard album on todays mainstream terms.
Which in my opinion is pretty lame.

I am sure a lot of you will disagree with me because you like your bassy, club-style, say-nothing hip-hop.
But this album makes me sleepy with its complete lack of innovation. So listen to this album and let your brain enjoy a nap.

4 out of 5 stars

This is the CD that TI should have made after "King". October 3, 2008
7 out of 10 found this review helpful

After enjoying the majority of Trap Muzik, Urban Legend, and King, I figured that T.I. vs T.I.P. would fall right in line and be just as good as TI's previous 3 CDs. In my opinion, that clearly wasn't the case. For some reason TI decided to not have DJ Toomp produce any songs and TI Vs TIP was clearly the worst CD that TI had ever released. The CD did have its moments with tracks like "Help Is Coming", "Tell 'Em I Said That", "My Type", "Hurt" w/Alfamega & Busta Rhymes and "Watch What You Say" w/Jay-Z but overall this effort didn't live up to any of the expectations that were set from TI's previous releases. TI Vs TIP couldn't even give TI's 2001 debut I'm Serious a run for its money.

Once TI's troubles caught up with him and he found out he was going to have to do some time, he must have got reenergized. It seemed that he wanted to give his fans something to hold them over while he was in jail.
Danja produces the 1st single and best song on "Paper Trail" with "No Matter What". This is clearly TI's best anthem since "What You Know (About That) from "King". TI gives us all a look into his life and throughout the track he is able to reaffirm his status as one of the top Southern rappers of today. The 2nd single, "Whatever You Like" is dedicated to the ladies as TI flaunts the ability of being able to provide any woman with any wish that they desire. The song is catchy and appropriate to be a single but when you pull out Paper Trail for years to come, this won't be the first track that you will want to listen to. The 3rd single "What's Up, What's Haapnin'" is produced by Drumma Boy, who also produced "Put On" w/Young Jeezy & Kanye West. The song has TI getting back to basics with words for Shawty Lo or any haters that doubt that the self appointed "King" doesn't still have his throne. If TI drops a 4th single, I am pretty sure that it will be the Swizz Beatz' produced "Swing Ya Rag". There isn't anything that will be too memorable about the track. However, as reviewer "Josephll" says it's definitely better than anything that Swizz has produced lately. If you ever hear the track in the club or if you need a pick me up after a long day of work, then this is the track for you.

"Paper Trail" gets started on the right note as DJ Toomp returns to produce "56 Bars", which really shouldn't be labeled an intro since it clocks in at a little over 3 minutes. TI returns to his lyrical capabilities after the lackluster "TI Vs TIP". This verse on "56 Bars" is better than any verse than I heard on any song on his last CD. Just in case anyone is still sleepin' on TI's lyrics, "I'm Illy" continues where "56 Bars" left off. Most of TI's fans that have been listening to his CDs since "I'm Serious" will prefer this lyrical TI over the TI has been created because of his commercial success. Drumma Boy shows up again on "Ready For Whatever" and the results are pretty good once again. TI appears to be more focused on "Paper Trail". It just seemed on his last effort that he took a lazy apprach to certain tracks. TI & Luda squash their beef long enough to appear "On Top Of The World". The track is pretty good but doesn't measure up to the collaboration "Wish You Would", which is scheduled to appear on Ludacris' "Theater Of The Mind" CD that is droppin' soon. "Live Your Life" features Rihanna and is clearly a hit or miss type of track. Most people will really like or really hate this track. It's catchy in some senses but seeing that Just Blaze is the producer on the track, I have higher expectations from a Just Blaze track. The more you listen to the track, the more you may grow to like the song. "My Life, Your Entertainment" features Usher and is another decent track. TI talks about how his life is always subject to be criticized by the public since he is a celebrity. "Swagger Like Us" features Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil Wayne and is produced by Kanye West and Mike Caren. When you see the 4 of these artists on the track, your expectations should be high. However, TI is the only MC that gives a quality verse on the track. Jay Z, Kanye, and Lil Wayne were too concerned with their swagger and not delivering a quality verse. Don't get me wrong, I like the song but I expected better with the all star cast. John Legend shows up to appear on "Slide Show", which in the end is "My Life, Your Entertainment" with more of an inspirational story behind it. TI dedicates "You Ain't Missin' Nothing" to his friends that are locked away in jail. He promises to be there when they get out and to take them out to celebrate the day that they come home. He also has a message for anyone that's ever turned their back on their friends just because they got locked up. TI dedicates "Dead & Gone" to his friend Philant Johnson and Justin Timberlake even surprised me with his nice performance on the track. I expect Justin to do "Sexy Back" and "What Comes Around", not RIP anthems to a rapper's fallen friend.

With "Paper Trail", TI creates the CD that he should have created after he released "King". There may be some hit and miss moments on here especially with "Porn Star", but overall TI stays true to what made "Trap Muzik", "King", "Urban Legend", and "I'm Serious" memorable CDs.

James' Top 5

1) No Matter What
2) Dead & Gone w/Justin Timberlake
3) 56 Bars
4) I'm Illy
5) Swagger Like Us w/Jay-Z, Kanye West & Lil Wayne

Honorable Mention:

Ready For Whatever
Slide Show w/John Legend
What's Up, What's Haapnin'
You Ain't Missin' Nothing
On Top Of The World w/Ludacris
Swing Ya Rag w/Swizz Beatz

4 out of 5 stars

T.I.'s 'Paper Trail' Review September 30, 2008
4 out of 9 found this review helpful

T.I.'s latest 'Paper Trail' doesn't leave much room for disappointment. The best thing about T.I. on this album is the attitude; the lyrics and production, in my opinion, is better than it was on 'T.I. vs. T.I.P.'. This one definitely keeps you interested from start to finish and while it's in the rap genre, there are some songs that really straddle the fence and borrow some sounds and vibes from pop, hip-hop and urban music. In all, a good fusion coupled with good and engaging lyrics.

The Good: The collaborations really offer the best selections on the album. 'Dead and Gone' featuring Justin Timberlake for me was the stand-out track on the album simply because T.I. seemed to drop the stereotypical and expected lyrics about money, being the best, so and so forth for a bit of a confessional about the pitfalls of fame and showing his more vulnerable side. 'Whatever You Like' is the best solo track on the album - fun, bouncy, good beat, a tad bit dirty. 'Livin' My Life' featuring Rihanna is also good just for sampling an odd and unexpected song, while 'You Ain't Missin Nothing' offers another vulnerable/insightful view of the world rather than the dull and expected subject of most rap songs. Overall, the beats on most of the tracks is really top notch.

The Bad: T.I. is at his worst when he just raps about the expected 'rap' subjects of fame, money, survival and the mistakes he's made in life. For example, 'Ready for Whatever' is a hot track but the lyrics are all about him trying to make sense of his recent legal problems, making for something of a boring track that you'll either enjoy or will feel isn't something you want to hear someone sing or rap about.

In all, a good release with strong production and good lyrics. There are one or two songs I really wasn't sold on but cuts like 'On Top of the World', '56 Bars,' and 'Dead and Gone' really make up for the few flaws. Definitely worth your money.

5 out of 5 stars

T.I.- Paper Trail Is A Golden Road! September 30, 2008
4 out of 9 found this review helpful

I just have one thing to say to start off this review: It will be hard pressed to knock this from the top of the totem pole for hip hop album of the year. He came HARD! I honestly have to say that I was looking a little bit more forward to Jeezy's release of The Recession than Paper Trail, though I was looking forward to this as well with the depths T.I. had went through with the kind of criticized last release T.I. v. T.I.P. and the problems in his personal life (i.e. getting caught up with the arsenal of weaponry in his ride and house arrest). He came through in a major way. He got back to basics with the reference to the title in getting back into writing down his lyrics & verses and the output added up in the end. But I also think the title has a double reference as I would agree with Akash's review. T.I. is on a path to letting go of his past and on a paper trail to help make a life better for his fam and hoping that others around or associated with will follow him in the right way.

The production on the CD has a lot of thump-and-bump, sort of the crunk and heavy bass sound you are used to from the South. But he does have a couple of beats and sounds that give a nice switch-up with adding some piano here and some different sounding drums there. Getting a hand from a various group of producers from the likes of Toomp to Justin Timberlake, Kanye West to Drumma Boy, Swizz Beatz to Just Blaze. Kind of maybe different sounds in their own ways, but they come together to bridge their methods and make it work very well. You will catch yourself bobbin' your head or getting up rocking to the sound on pretty much all of the tracks.

Straight out the box from the jump, T.I. comes out swinging with the first few songs with hard-knocking beats and just snapping off. Coming with tracks like 56 Bars where he just raps straight through it with no hook and I'm Illy, Tip puts his feet in the dirt and it is not to be budged like he's stuck in concrete. Leads into the track Ready For Whatever, a heavy-drum song with a kind of a dark and haunting sound to it where he speaks on going through all he went and being able to come through it to the point that he is ready for anything that comes his way no matter what it is. Then who would have thought after that we would see Ludacris and T.I. come together on a track. But that is what we get with On Top Of The World in which they look back on the road they traveled to get to where they are now. May not be in my top five for the album, but I do like how they held it down. Them coming together is a statement in itself for T.I., saying that I'm past whatever beef I may have had with Luda. I've grown up, moved on and matured, a theme that resonates a lot later in the album. One of the tracks that grabbed me soon as I heard it was Live Your Life with Rihanna, heavy bumping song with an R&B twist. It is one of those feel good songs that everyone can relate to and sing along with a simple message that we forget sometimes: Don't worry what other people say and how they may talk bout you, but just keep living whether times are good or bad. The opera sounding singer in the beginning may have you questioning what kind of song is this at first, but stick with it. You'll see what I'm talking about.

Of course T.I. had to hold it down for the ladies which he does well with Whatever You Like and kind of with Porn Star. No Matter What kind of ties into Ready For Whatever in getting back to being able to come through any storm/issue that comes your way. The track with Usher, My Life Your Entertainment, could have been somewhat better especially with the A-town collabo though the concept of Hollywood and famous stars' lives being entertainment for some people to talk about was a good one. Also, Every Chance I Get is a little bit too gutter for my taste at this age but it may appeal to some. But he quickly rebounded for me with the wrap-up in the last four tracks. He formed a dream team in a way for the track Swagga Like Us bringing together himself with hip hop heavyweights Jay-Z, Kanye & Lil' Wayne. With Kanye behind the keys and bringing a track that has some African-sounding drums as the basis of the song, they each pass the baton to each other in trying to one up each other and as they do it blow off anyone outside of them who thinks they are close to any of them. Coming with lines like Swag on a hundred, thousand trillion/I know it got it first/I'm Christopher Columbus/Ya'll just the pilgrims and How is it to wake up and be the ish and the urine/Tryin' to get that Kobe number/One over Jordan(Kanye- possible friendly diss to Jay in that Hova always refers to himself as the Jordan of rap), I can't teach you my swag/You can pay for school/But you can't buy class(Jay), What the bleep you boys talkin' bout/Must be us/Cause we the only thing to talk about(Weezy), Sellin' lotta records/I respect and salute that/But spittin' real ish over hot tracks/I'm the truth to that(Tip), they all give you strong verses. Rate them individually how you want on their verses, but you most definitely must rate the song as a whole high up there. Slide Show with John Legend softens the CD up a bit in the right way with an introspective side of T.I. in saying learn from the highs and lows of life and believing you can make yourself into anything in living life moment by moment and when you do make it, look back on life like a slide show. You Ain't Missin' Nothing is a laid-back kind of song with a blues and jazz sound a bit with it background saxophones in a shout-out to those who are locked down in prison. This is definitely a song I feel cause with of my best friends is in the joint for murder and hoping he's keeping his head up and knowing we still thinking of him while at the same time not missing too much with everybody just take life by the day(other than raising his two baby girls). Dead and Gone with Justin Timberlake is what I hope T.I. is in the process of finishing, putting his old past to bed. Not having to live in the streets no more like some may still do now, maturing and leaving all of that behind. Stay in the streets long enough, your friends will leave you one way or another whether through death or getting caught up with jail time (or dropping dime on you before you can on them so they can snake their way out of time). At some point, you have to move on for your family's sake and that is what Tip gets at here with great help from Justin. Fitting close to a heck of an effort here from the South's King.

In the end, this may have flew under the radar when you compare the anticipation levels to other albums (i.e. Wayne's Carter III). Wayne may have had his CD far more waited upon than T.I.'s, but I'm sure the outcome of this CD is what Wayne probably would have wanted in his own regard and T.I. beat him in that sense. Paper Trail gives you laid back joints, smashmouth joints, cool playboy joints as well as revealing his inner thoughts and feelings. You really start to see the man himself as the cover shows when it is all put together like this CD is and the events he has seen. The lowest points of your life can either break a person or bring out the best in them. T.I. used this to bring out some of his best work in his career. It happens a lot with these artists where going deep inside yourself after going through a valley sparks something in their work(his fellow A-town compatriot Monica comes to mind). Couple of the tracks are so-so, but overall definitely at least 4.5 stars. This is one record you definitely must check out!

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