Album Review: T.I. - Paper Trail
T.I.
Paper Trail
Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records
4/5
Written By Samir Siddiqui
T.I.’s last major release, T.I. vs. T.I.P., was akin to a story about a hero without obstacles- though the protagonist (and in T.I.’s case, two lead characters) were interesting enough on their own, a sense of complacency on the writer’s part put a serious hamper on the well-produced proceedings. This time around, T.I. has simplified the writing process to a pen and a pad, and there is no shortage of drama for Tip to sort through. Juggling emotions and reflections on everything from his impending prison sentence (”Ready for Whatever) to the deaths of his daughter and close-friend (”You Ain’t Missin’ Nothin’), Paper Trail is T.I.’s most lyrically-engaging album to date.
At the heart of the album is what is arguably the most well-crafted song in T.I.’s impressive career, “No Matter What.” Danja’s majestic production, comprising of squeaky synths, marching-band drums, and an organ backdrop, is the perfect complement to T.I.’s lyrical exercise (”Avoid insanity, manage to conquer, every obstacle, make impossible possible// even when winning’s illogical, losing’s still far from optional.”) But even amongst the introspection, T.I.’s brash confidence hasn’t lost a step, as he takes aim at an obvious ATL target with lines like, “It’s very plain to see you study me awful hard, to the point that my swag needs a bodyguard.” The unnamed D4L- member gets subliminally assaulted yet again on the captivating anthem “What Up, What’s Haapnin’,” where T.I. conjures up an instantly infectious chorus on the triumphantly-produced joint (courtesy of Drumma Boy).
Despite featuring a myriad of star guest appearances, Paper Trail keeps the focus on T.I., thanks largely in part to the star’s standout rhymes. When lined up with fellow heavyweight’s Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne on the frantic “Swagger Like Us”, T.I. runs away with the song’s best verse, dropping cleverly relevant lines such as, “Verse is autobiographical, absolutely classical, last thing I’m worried ’bout is what another rapper do.” The other big collab’s are more of a mixed bag- the Just Blaze-produced “Live Your Life” seamlessly weaves T.I.’s nonchalant lyrics with Rihanna’s stadium-worthy vocals, the Usher-assisted “My Life, Your Entertainment” fizzles due to a mediocre chorus and concept, and Ludacris overcomes B.O.B.’s cheesy chorus to deliver a noteworthy verse on “On Top of the World.”
Paper Trail provides highlights throughout the LP, from the boastful intro the dramatic closer, “Dead and Gone,” and with better editing (namely the cutting of “Porn Star” and the aforementioned “My Life,”) the album would stand toe-to-toe with T.I.’s best work. Still, Paper Trail is a solid offering from a seasoned vet displaying a new-found sense of maturity and a renewed sense of hunger. In T.I.’s case, the pen is indeed mightier than…machine guns?
36 Comments so far
nice review
Nigel you should make your own review,
this one was pretty decent though.
Havent heard the album but im sure its as good as the review suggests.
Lol, #3 its just a human who made it, and it is a opinion
so it could be that you dont like it.
*STATIC* THE SITUATION APPEARS TO BE STABLE,OVER *STATIC*
album of the year so far, not as important as nas’s nigger but overall best lp of the year so far.
Paper tail is nice. It aint like that wack Carter 3.
LOL @#4 u right. IIght ima be honest, I kno its goin be a cool album but no longevity cuz artist’s like T.I dont keep my attention for long lol
I really don’t listen to T.I. i only like the track he had with Beenie Man .. But Swagger Like Us i was impressed.. it was a good verse
#6 why you hating that much, but can’t even write the album’s name well? whaha hey we all be coppin’ PAPER TAIL!
Album of the year in my HONEST opinion. Tha Carter is a close 2nd, very tough decision.
One of Samir’s better reviews. Only mistake was (you aint missing nothin) isnt about his daught and homeboy, its about niggas locked up.
Every song should be listened to twice if not more before a review is written in my opinion. A rapper like Tip might say some shit that goes over your head the first couple of times.
And if you blow, then put one in the air and listen to the album and then write the review. All in all 4/5 is cool.
This was better than tha carter 3 as far as content, but c3 was far more entertainin to listen to. And it also has more replay value to it. Joints like “shoot me down”,”3peat”,”tie my hands”,”mr carter” and dontgetit really made that cd shine. Paper trail was good but you could tell he was tryin to compete with wayne as far as rapping goes. If c3 didn’t come out this year I don’t think tip would have started the album wit 56 bars.
With that said I most also say that it is only a matter of time before ti and wayne are forced to beef or biffo lol. I really think tip was speakin about wayne in swagger lik us and they really are going after the same title as best in hiphop…ti will either have to go against kanye or wayne in a battle that will see somones career ended or seriously injured and ti is far too smart for it to b him
Like this album or not, You gotta admit that this is the Most Consistent he has been with the Hit singles, Whatever You Like was at #1, Swagga was at #5 & His Live Your Life with Rihanna is gonna do well too!
“Paper Trail is T.I.’s most lyrically-engaging album to date”
How much $$ you get for that lie?
One of the best albums I’ve heard in a long time. This album is a classic.
#13 he definitely jabbin wayne in his verse and Kanye and Jay going back and forth.
OMG look at itunes:
Top songs nr 1 T.I
Top album nr 1 T.I
Top Ringtones nr 1 T.I
he is killed it on the charts
Album of the Year!
T.O.S comes second!!! LOL
T.I. is the best raper alive not no gay ass bitch lil wayne 1 word for wayne.OVERATED OVERATED OVERATED OVERATED!!!!!!
This album definately top 3 this year thus far
Yo where tha clipse at?
whats up with u people promoting that digg side,i’ver never seen such an poor excuse for an website like digg they clerly show who they like and not,the site owners are probably some depressed backpackrappers who want d.i.t.c back,the remind me of the old source when benzio was running thins over there.please stop suporting this website u dont need them they need you nigel
The Recession
Paper Trail
T.O.S.
Carter 3
It’s a nice album but let’s not talk about classic. Only time will tell if this is a classic or not. Niggas always start talking about this is a CLASSIC after listening to the album ONCE.
LOL…That track with Rihanna they sampled that awful eurodisco track that were a big hit in the gay community over here in most countries in Europe. Is T.I trying to reach the gay audience with this track?
here’s the song
O-zone Numa-numa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn4Y60cv__U
http://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TSS/?p=10481
here’s another spin on it….
Ok so its not a classic but its the best thing I’ve heard all YEAR!!! Sorry you wayne fans but I refused to even lend a ear to carter 3 until that nigga start rapping about some real shit
Horrible review and TIP did not have the best verse on “swagga like us” hov did then weezy I swear niggas is dumb slow when it comes to lyrics
this album is cool. it’s not even the best album to come out on 09/30/2008.
TI fits into my sons clothes
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!!!!!!!!!!!! u stupid… but ayo… is it me or was Tha Carter 3 bumpen 4 like 2 days… i can’t fuk wit nutten but Mrs. Officer, Misurstood, La La and Dr. Carter… that shit was a waste.
Yo On Sum Real Shit, Paper Trail Is A Fuckin Classic. This Nigga T.I. IS VERY underrated and Deserves More Credit This NigGA LYRICS,SAWGG AND FLOW IS CRAZY AND THE ALBUM GIVES U EVERYTHING, CLUB BANGERS TO REAL LIFE OF HIS OWN EXPERINCES.DIS ALBUM TO ME IS 10/10….. AND OH YEAH T.I. WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE TOP 30 GREATEST LYRICST.
Best Hip Hop album of the year.
Peace.
#29 is on da jay-z/lil wayne ban wagon how u said lil wayne had a better verse on swagga like us he said nothing!!! what did he say that was hot? And jay i would say kanye was better TI had the best verse hands down your crazyer then a crack head homie. you must think C3 is a better album then paper trail as well all u C3 lovers how can u love an ablum thats not better then the last one albums are spose to get better not go back C2 is way better then C3. And to the jack ass that put jeezy album as
#1 ya sick jezzy album is not lyrical at all it’s nice but not the best.
@#35, everybody has they’re own opinions fool!
i agree with 29, i think jay had the best verse than weezy than t.i. than kanye. Weezy was good with the wordplay listen fool.