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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 79 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Hova may have anointed Wayne, but T.I. just staged a coup September 30, 2008
47 out of 51 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
10 out of 35 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
6 out of 9 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

5 out of 5 stars

No Matter What, This Album Is Great October 2, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

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. 4'5, a must check out.

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.

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