Paper trail leads to booty

Did Clifford Harris have any option other than to ditch his button-up shirt infatuated persona on his 6 disc?

Considering looming beefs with local and mainstream artists that produced volumes of DVDs of their interviews criticizing both his authenticity and his loyalty to the G-Code (a strict policy which crucifies legal informants), TI faced equal fire from the streets as he did from the government when his federal case ended.   While his legal dilemma was brought upon by a mind state of both his TI & TIP egos, TIP undoubtedly goes in on Paper Trail and leaves TI very few guest appearances.

Fans of Clifford Harris have, in fact, been waiting for this resurgence of this careless, purposeful leader.

TIP’s presence is evident throughout the first five tracks of the album.  On I’m Illy, a fascinating take on Lil Wayne’s Milli, TI states “Every single thing I ever did was done heavily/Rap until you’re 70, still ain’t no catchin me.”

He proclaims his realness with an unmatched fervor.  His delivery is consistent and he never really bores you with a verse outside of the only real “TI” track on the album, Whatever You Like.  With that aside, On Top of The World is definitely the standout track of the album despite the countless hip-hop quotables on Swagger Like Us.

If you’re one of the fans that like to read the track listing then you would suppose that you are not in for much of a surprise after you read that Ludacris is featured but Luda’s verse absolutely buries the instrumental as does its pairing with hopeful Southern phenom B.O.B.’s hook.

The obvious singles on the album even point out TIP’s sometime underrated lyrical dexterity.  While artists are often recognized for their genuineness, they don’t step up to the plate in the same manner as TIP.

The Rihanna-featured Live Your Life, is very reminiscent of Wiz Khalifa’s techno inspired Say Yeah, however, TIP makes the track timeless notwithstanding very similar subject matter.  The look to Swizz Beatz’ production for another single that makes those that won’t spend over $100 for an accessory feel bad in the club Swing Ya Rag was one of the wisest decision on TIP’s part (not to discredit the exceptional contributions of DJ Toomp [56 Bars], Danja [No Matter What], and the omnipresent Drumma Boy [My Life Your Entertainment, What’s Up What Haapnin, You Ain’t Missin Nothin]).  Truth be told, if any southern rapper’s (Lil Wayne included) pinnacle is decided by a well crafted body of work, it’s TIP.  Maybe after he cools down it will be TI.

The CD is well worth the listen and money, TI appears to have topped himself. Through his lyrics and decisions in choosing guest artists, he has obviously matured since his last album and has cemented his position in the Rap world.