Rating:
Genre:
Rap
Release Date: 07/03/2007
T.I. has been playing with the split-personality concept for years, most notably on 2003's
"T.I. vs T.I.P.," where the only strict differences were laid out like this:
T.I.P.'s women sell weed and have gold teeth, while
T.I.'s women have jobs and good credit, and
T.I.P. is neither as paid nor as laid-back as
T.I. Four years on, after getting
real paid (
King was the most successful
rap album of 2006), the MC constructs an entire album around the penthouse and pavement concept, dividing the program into three acts: T.I.P. (seven tracks), T.I. (seven tracks), and T.I. vs T.I.P. (four tracks). This is also signified in the album's outer sleeve and booklet photos. Roughneck
T.I. scowls from a beat-down stoop, gripping a wad of cash; dapper
T.I.P. kicks back in a plush den, holding a shot glass.
T.I.P. tends to scowl through his rhymes, while you can picture a heavy-lidded
T.I. in the vocal booth. Otherwise, the concept is only somewhat perceptible through the sequence of songs, and it's the only way of positioning the album as something beyond just another
T.I. release. After the sustained greatness through
Trap Muzik,
Urban Legend, and
King, a fall-off of some degree had to be expected -- especially after reaching the top after a steady climb -- and that's exactly what happens. Though he undeniably remains one of the top MCs,
T.I. tends to either reheat familiar material with less fire or tread dangerously close to unrelatable
Kingdom Come-like "Look at who's obnoxiously shedding his underdog status!" routines (as on
"My Swag"). The productions similarly do not match up to past successes, and even some of obvious choices for singles fall short of past tracks that were never thought to be released as singles. The album is generally enjoyable, and it's doubtful
T.I. has to worry about being dethroned within the near future.
~Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
Average Review:
Number of reviews: 3
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A reviewer
from Charlotte, NC
The cd isn't as good as King but it is still hot
This album is tight but it doesn't compare to King. It is tough to compare to King because I consider that a classic. T.I. still hot and I like the concept of T.I. vs T.I.P.
A reviewer
from New Yory,NY
Da Best!
Anyone who says dis album stinks needs a hearing aide!!
The beats are bangin, the lyrics are awesome, and the alter-ego thing really works out in the end.
Guest stars like Eminem and Jay-Z really makes this album a must buy.
5 Stars!!!
I might be a NYC guy, but i can confidently say,
T.I. IS THE KING OF THE SOUTH
A reviewer
from Rowe, MA
Hard to describe. i'll admit my expectations were higher.
Well i'm gonna run through the track listing.
1. act 1: a cool intro with a nice beat. t.i. did some pretty good spitting. it's up to par with t.i.'s memorable album intro's. B+
2.Big **** poppin: best song in ages. honestly the coolest song in years. i love it. A+
3. Raw: heres one of those filler songs i've been talking about. sounds like dip slide ride out from dj khaleds first album. in other words... generic tough talk over a forgettable track. honestly compare the two tracks...there is no difference. C-
4. you know what it is: and with a cool danceable track produced by wyclef the album gets back on track. A
5. Da dopeman: another skippable track. it is better than raw though. C
6. watch what you say to me: very nice. jay-z kinda killed t.i. on this track though. B+
7.Hurt: rapid fire flows from t.i. and the guest rappers. 2nd best track on the album. A
8.Act 2: now were going into t.i.'s part and we're past tip's tough talk. i wish they didn't reuse the beat from the intro. B
9.help is coming: t.i. is here to save the rap game! with a pretty nice track as well. B+
10.my swag: oh my god where did t.i. and wyclef go wrong. they did an amazing track with you know what it is but this track honestly sucks. king didn't have a track this bad i'm sad to say. F
11.We do this: phew t.i. is on track again. this track is a bit generic but the runner's provide an outstanding beat so i can't complain. B+
12.show it to me: a really cool danceable beat. it kinda reminds me of "shake ya tail feathers" it's catchy. A-
13. Don't you wanna be high?: heres the deal. guys like me will give this a C- and skip it. ladies will give it a B and listen to it fairly often.
14. touchdown. so far these a list collaborations were great but this track had to many flaws. such as a really repetitive beat and t.i. and eminem not bringing their a game. heck they didn't bring their b game. C
15.Act 3
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