Disco de T.I.: “Trap Muzik [Clean]”

I bought this CD because I liked his Debut album, but I got much more than expected. Don't Hate Me Shawty is one of my favorites. His approach is innovative and fresh. He breaths life into a lackluster industry that's focus has been how much bling and things can make you broke before you even have a real hit. Real South folk are going to love this one. He made a name for himself in the region with I'm Serious... I just didn't know how serious (and talented) he was before I heard this one.

This cd is off the chain. beats galore, sick ass lyrics and nice flow.

Top 5:

1.24's

2.Look What I Got

3.Rubberband Man

4.T.I vs. T.I.P

5.Be Better Than Me

So far, 2003 is shaping up to be the year of the southern invasion in hip-hop. Atlanta crime-rhyme spitter T.I. is the latest in a seres of regional stars to explode onto the national scene with anthems that get crowds crunk from NY to LA and everywhere in between. To that end, T.I.'s lead single, "24's" is 4 minutes of pure dirty south adrenaline. Fans fiendin' for more of the crunk will certainly find their fix with Trap Muzik, but the strives for much more than just tearin' the club up. The Trap referred to in the title is the drug game, of which T.I. rhymes on "I Can't Quit", "I this far from a star/and just this close to quittin'". Throughout the album, he goes beyond standard crime rhymes and offers contemplative meditations on the game he is about to leave. "T.I. vs. T.I.P." is T.I.'s dialog with himself. A part of him is still drawn to his former lifestyle, but ultimately he rationalizes why his life has to change. "Be Better Than Me" urges kids in similar circumstances to avoid the temptations the seduced T.I. himself into the Trap. And "I Still Love You" is both an offering of forgiveness (to his absent father) and a pledge to do better (to his own children). But the albums highlights come back to back on "No More Talk" and the Kanye West produced, "Doin' My Job". On the former, T.I. deftly places the nihilistic life of inner city "trappin'" in the larger context of a world where "you can die on a plane and they'll say it's a bomb/when they run it into the tour they'll just say it's Sadam". And on the latter, he humanizes the often villified street entrapanuars, explaining that he is simply making a living. While his logic might be flawed, the song offers the most poignant moments on one of the year's better albums.

I appreciate the fact that T.I. actually has something new to say. I have alot of CD's where I can't listen to the CD without skipping a few tracks; I've never had to do this with Trap Muzik. Each track seems to flow to the next one ranging from topics about drug dealin' to his views on his mistakes as well as an Ode to his children on "I Still Luv You".

If you've read any of his articles, you'd notice that he has alot to say and infact is a very intelligent young man. This fact comes across on his CD as well.

There are a few club records on this CD,but you can't have a CD full of serious issues,because lets face it, even though that's something that we,as listeners, say we want, we wouldn't buy it.Therefore, it wouldn't sale.

Overall, I think this CD is a step for Hip Hop in the right direction. I appreciate an artist who isn't afraid to show a softer side on their CD and T.I. does just that.

I hope he continues to make music and continues to use his CD as a journal and diary into the life of T.I. because I,for one, will be sure to listen.

"Rubberband Man" has stayed on my top ten list for a loooong time, ever since I saw the video in late 2003. This guy's voice is addictive and has beats to compliment his awesome rapping style. He is blunt with all his subject matter and pulls it off quite well. His best song is definitely "Rubberband Man" and "24s" and "Let's Get Away" are also awesome singles to help sell his sophomore album. This is a must buy for any dirty south fan or any rap fan.