Album Review: T.I. - Paper Trail

Cliff had a crazy year, Gun Charges + House arrest and with that came with many people doubting his credentials, soon after Tip announces he's going to write (hence: 'Paper Trail') his new album, something we haven't seen since 'I'm Serious', now were in September 2008 waiting for the 2 time Grammy winner's 6th album.

1. "56 Barz"
The opening track of Paper Trail, I couldn't find the producer of this but I'm guessing DJ Toomp purely because it sounds like a Toomp beat. Cliff kills his 56 Bars.

Rating: 7.5/10

2. "I'm Illy"
After the strong opening track, immediately I thought to myself: "This has gotta be the A Milli competition track" except on Paper Trail, another Toomp beat. "Yeahhhh, its the King, BITCH!"

Rating: 8/10

3. "Ready for Whatever"
When, I first heard this one, I was expecting a "What You Know", "Whatever You Like"'esque track, but its different from that, he talks about the lawsuit, and publicity, deep track, his point is he's ready for whatever. Fo'real...

Rating: 8.3/10

4. "On Top of the World Feat. Ludacris & B.O.B."
FIRE! Another colabo with Luda & T.I. the beat goes hard, brought back back by popular demand as he says. I was feeling how he picked B.O.B for the hook, he's gonna be big in the future, watch that space.

Rating: 9/10

5. "Live Your Life" Feat. Rihanna
Before the VMA's my opinion on this track was it's aiight, but I wouldn't consider it single material. But after the live performance that shit sounded wayyy better, Rihanna does the hook well and her verse for the album is aiight too. The sample of this track made me laugh, you'll know what I'm talking about when you hear the seperate one, lol.

Rating: 9/10

6. "Whatever You Like"
Everyone has heard this track by now, #1 on Billboard and its just pure fiyah! Hahaha AJ, word Jim Jonsin is on the beat again with this one..

Rating: 9.5/10

7. "No Matter What"
I heard this track on May 26th, 2008, I was skeptical at first wasn't feelin it, but it gradually grew on me. And, damn was he right when he says: "I ain't dead, I ain't done." on the hook, if you need further evidence please listen to: Paper Trail.

Rating: 7.9/10

8. "My Life, Your Entertainment"
This one is repedemption for Usher mayne, Here I Stand didn't do as well as he probably wanted it to do, but his colab with Tip on this one is really good, he fits the hook/theme of this track. Pay attention for Drumma Boy's drum-rolls throughout the track, dope.

Rating: 8/10

9. "Porn Star"
You can make out what this joint's about by the title, but you can check Cliff's flow on this is really smooth. Is that Usher or Bobby Valentino on the hook?

Rating: 8.3

10. "Swing Ya Rag Feat. Swizz Beatz"
Swizzy! You gotta dig the T.I. & Swizzy compliation, alright ok, I don't dance either so this works for me, lol. Swizzy on the hook, and expect a video real soon...

Rating: 8.6

11. "What Up, What's Haapnin'"
The 'What Up, What's Happnin' Music Video just came out a few days before I'm writing this review right now, its shot in Bankhead (You should make the connection right about NOW!) You got it, R.I.P Shawty Lo after that vid, one of my favorite joints of the album.

Rating: 8.6/10

12. "Every Chance I Get"
This joint's aiight Tip talks about and compares his life to ours, Grand Hustle, and shows the different side/darker side of Paper Trail, imo.

Rating: 7/10

13. "Swagga Like Us Feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne"
The shit. The epic track of the album, iRemember when I first saw the features, producer of the track I thought something wasn't right, pure fire. I hear Jay-Z's going to 'jock' this track for Blueprint 3, anyways even if does still dosen't change this being dope. Too bad some people "Spoilt the cake before it came out" I would have waited for the album to hear this trakc, would have sounded wayyy doper. Sample of MIA's infamous 'Paper Planes'.

Rating: 8.7/10

14. "Slide Show Feat. John Legend"
The beat off this track is pretty mellow and sweet, and the track fits John Legend's persona with him on the hook, gives the album a different dimesion.

Rating: 8.7

15. "You Ain't Missin' Nothin"
Here Tip continues the theme from the previous track, with a jazz beat, Tip talks about his advice to y'all and talks about some moments in his life.

Rating: 7.5/10

16. "Dead & Gone Feat. Justin Timberlake"
As y'all know 99% percent of the times when Timbo and Jutin link up its a dope track, iTend to think this track is getting back at T.I. for the feature off 'My Love' iActually even prefer Tip's verse on this to the one on 'My Love' its really dope, Timbo kills the beat, the perfect ending to this album.

Rating: 9.2/10

Extra Notes:

Album of the year of far, I bet Kanye would have something to say about that with '808's & Heartbreak' but till then you can listen to this fire. King is back, homie, that official. And this review wasn't biased what-so-ever as T.I. actually isn't even in my Top 5 rappers but that just goes to show how good this album actually was. I'm going to buy this album, September 30th or whenever iCan, you should too.

Paper Trail: 8.9/10