Paper Trail - Dark Publications

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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 92 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
13 out of 41 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

1 out of 5 stars

Hip Hop is Dead October 30, 2008
6 out of 11 found this review helpful

This is what hip hop is today? Thank God I grew up in a time when hip hop was special. This is a little boy making music. Kids, go listen to Tribe Called Quest to hear what hip hop is supposed to be. Or go back further and listen to Eric B. & Rakim or Public Enemy. That is hip hop. This album is nothing but a little kid rapping (if you want to call it that) about non real life things. Don't call this hip hop. Call it little kid music.

2 out of 5 stars

I must be missing something October 5, 2008
5 out of 9 found this review helpful

I just dont see what everyone see's in this album, this to me is his worst one yet, it just sucks to me. I aint tryin to hate on it but I just expected more.

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