T.I. collaborates with Rihanna, Ludacris, others for Paper Trail

By Derek Reagan

Published Oct. 3, 2008

It's hard to believe that it has only been a year since T.I. dropped T.I. vs. T.I.P.. Since the rapper's last release, he has been charged with two felonies, involved with an ongoing beef with fellow Atlanta rapper Shawty Lo, lost his daughter in a miscarriage and lost his best friend in a drive-by shooting. After suffering many heartaches and hardships, the rapper stayed on schedule and put out Paper Trail this month.

The album is a unique one for T.I., not only because of his recent life experiences but also because he decided to put his lyrics down on paper for the first time since his 2001 debut I'm Serious. After great successes like Urban Legend and King, T.I. decided to switch up his strategy to create a lyrically deeper album. The decision to write down lyrics has helped T.I. make Paper Trail one of his best. The various songs and themes presented on the album help to make sure that every listener can find a favorite in this 16-track masterpiece.

Starting with "56 Bars (Intro)" through third track "Ready for Whatever," T.I. raps like a newcomer in the game over the darkest beats of the album, rapping with the hunger of someone who hasn't gained the comfort of notoriety and success. This is a refreshing change of pace when it seems that most rappers rest on their laurels while waiting for the next paycheck.

"On Top of the World" marks the beginning of the fantastic collaborations on seven of the 16 tracks. On the synth and percussion-heavy song, T.I. recruits some help from fellow Atlanta musicians Ludacris and B.o.B. The chemistry between T.I. and Ludacris is great; you get the feeling that the two haven't been feuding for the last eight years and might as well have been pals since grade school.

Another hit follows with "Live Your Life," a tremendous mix of the techno hit "Dragostea Din Tei" (remember the Numa guy?) and producer Just Blaze's drums. With assistance from Rihanna, the song is catchy and surprisingly deep with lyrics like "Some move away to make a way not move away 'cause they afraid." With T.I. reflecting on life and Rihanna singing its hook, "Live Your Life" is one of the best songs on the disc - perhaps of the year.

Already setting records before the album was released, "Whatever You Like" was a sample of what was to come. The song is an interpolation of "Redemption" by Bill Conti (a song from "Rocky"). When released for digital purchase in August, "Whatever You Like" set the record for the largest one-week Billboard Hot 100 jump to the number one spot (going from No. 71 to No. 1).

But it's on "You Ain't Missin' Nothing" that T.I. really sets Paper Trail apart from his other albums. The song is a piano melody to send love to those locked behind bars. Emphasizing the idea of having a plan to live out after being released from prison, this song is probably the best since Nas' "One Love," trying to bring hope to those who are incarcerated.