Album Review: T.I.-Paperwork

It’s a good thing that “King” is the first track off of T.I.‘s latest studio album Paperwork, because if it came any later the claim would be harder to warrant . Kings have more than a few gems and usually choose to stand alone. Neither of which are true are of T.I. on this one.

With the exception of “King” every song on the 15-track compilation has a feature. In some cases, the featured artist takes the focus off of T.I. Either by having a stronger verse, spitting bars that are not up to par, or distorting the track’s mood.

In the title track “Paperwork” Pharrell does the latter. His animated voice seems out of place when coupled with Tip’s anecdotes of loss. Ultimately making hard to decipher what kind of song it really is.

Boosie Badazz is guilty of the second one on “Jet Fuel.” Although his verse is not bad, Badazz’s choice of words and bar structure is not something one would not expect on a T.I. track.

Nipsey Hussle on “About The Issue” featuring is a great example of a better verse. Even though T.I.’s verses tied together lyrically Hussle simply had a more vigorous delivery. Therefore making him the memorable one.

Luckily for T.I. the vocally assisted tracks are just as if not more memorable. “Private Show” featuring Chris Brown, “Stay” featuring Victoria Monet, and “Let Your Heart Go” featuring The-Dream are guaranteed repeats. The R&B touch they provide allow T.I. to expose his emotions and vulnerabilities in an enticing way.

This is especially true of “Let Your Heart Go,” with it’s heavenly piano chords and The-Dream’s reflective chorus. He sings “We said we’d never be just a memory yeah, and even though it breaks my soul still I’d never let your heart go,” as T.I. puts his feelings of grieve and regret into well-crafted bars filled with nostalgia.

This heart-felt track is preceded by “Light Em Up” (R.I.P Doe B) featuring Pharrell and WhatTheDuck where T.I. talks about losing fellow Hustle Gang member Doe B. At the beginning of the track T.I. exclaims “you was ‘posed to make it.” He then then goes on to comment on today’s culture, Doe B’s character and his come up. All of this is placed over a trumpet heavy instrumental that has subtle yet meaningful clock chimes.

Tracks like “Stay” and “Private Show” tackle a lighter but equally important topic to Tip–his lady. With the help of Breezy on “Private Show” T.I. spits about the pleasures of a relationship whereas “Stay” focuses on the frustrations that can exist in one.

Paperwork‘s remaining tracks include the singles “No Mediocre,” “About The Money,” “New National Anthem” as well as “G Shit,” “At Your Own Risk,” and “Oh Yeah.” “G Shit” features Young Jeezy and WhatTheDuck, Usher lends his vocals to “At Your Own Risk,” and Pharrell is on “Oh Yeah.”

Ultimately the album is just like paperwork. Enclosed in Paperwork, are the things T.I. had to confront both good and bad, along with the happy feeling one gets when the last page is completed.