T.I. hits the 4th Quarter bound and determined to solidify his crown with his 6th studio album Paper Trail. With everybody from the Fed’s to Chaka, and Shorty Lo taking shots at the self proclaimed King Of The South, it was uncertain that who would be holding the Crown when the dust Settled.
T.I. appeared no less that regal as he addressed all of the above. He starts off by beating the Fed’s and lyrically walking you down the road that brought him to the decisions that put him in that court room on “Ready For Whatever“. Next up DTP… From “On Top Of The World” It seems the feuding has been brought to an end (at least temporarily) with two of ATL’s best on the same track. “And with the third pick, I made the earth sick,” whatever cred Shortly Lo hoped to garner from the feud with “da King” has got to be wounded and bleeding profusely after “you watch T.I. bring out a lawn chair and spend the day sipping lemonade in the Bowman Projects on “What Up, What’s Haapnin’“.
Paper Trail started off exactly how it should, with a monster intro that reunited Thomp’s drums with TIP’s ever energetic vocals. That alone made Paper Trail better than TIP’s last effort, however its clear that T.I. was reaching for a mainstream audience and more rhythmic airplay, which may or may not be the best move.
It is undeniable that Paper Trail will make a sicnificant impact at SoundScan, I’m just wondering what the long term effects of a polished crossover HipHop album will be with T.I.’s core fans. Album available In Stores and available to download on iTunes NOW, COP DAT DISC!!!
Grade: B+
J. Manning
Superintendent
