T.I.

Trap Muzik

3-1/2 stars -- Much better than I expected

Review Score:

(6/10)
I realize this isn't T.I.'s first album, but the first time I remember hearing of him was when he was featured on Bone Crusher's "Never Scared". And sorry, but I never liked "24's". But "Rubber Band Man" is a guilty pleasure, and his latest song "Let's Get Away" is pretty good too, so I decided to check out the album.

Lyrically, T.I. may not be saying anything new, but this album is still decent enough to ride to. Aside from the aforementioned singles, "Be Easy" and "Doin' My Job" (which samples Bloodstone's "I'm Just Doing My Job") are worth listening to. But there also some missteps on the album, like the too radio-friendly "Kingofdasouth". "Let Me Tell You Something" was a mistake, and let me tell YOU something: any time Roger Troutman's "I Want to Be Your Man" is sampled for a rap song, it's going to suck. Just ask Lil' Troy.

Another problem is that T.I. contradicts himself sometimes. In "No More Talk" he says that he's tired of the bling-blingin', which I agree with, but is he forgetting what he's rapping about in "24's"? And the title track is listenable, but I don't like it when guest Mac Boney says: "(I) keep the coke stretched out like Carl Lewis' hamstrings." Finally, I think T.I. is talking too much at the end of "Be Better Than Me".

Despite its shortcomings, Trap Muzik is still better than a lot of the stuff that's out right now. If you want something to bump in your ride, add this to your rap collection.

Anthony Rupert

P.S. In response to the reviewer that expected this to be a classical album, um...you're not serious, are you?

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