T.I (Paper Trail)

[Slim Zaddy]

Released September 26, 2008 (2008-09-26)
Recorded 2007–2008
Genre Southern hip hop
Length 73:15
Label Grand Hustle, Atlantic
Producer Chuck Diesel, Nard & B, Rob Knox, Danja, Toomp, Drumma Boy, Kanye West, Lil C, Jim Jonsin, Just Blaze, Justin Timberlake, Swizz Beatz, Blac Elvis

Overview
Paper Trail is the sixth studio album by American hip hop artist T.I., released on September 30, 2008 (see 2008 in music). T.I. began to write songs for the album as he awaited trial for federal weapons and possession charges. Unlike his past albums, he wrote his lyrics down on paper, which he had not done since his debut album, I'm Serious.

The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 568,000 copies in its first week, becoming T.I.'s best debut sales to date and the fourth highest debut of the year, eventually being certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It received generally favorable reviews from critics and has been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.

Background
On November 13, 2007, while awaiting trial for federal weapons charges against him, T.I. announced he had been writing songs for a new album to be entitled Paper Trail. He wrote his lyrics down on paper, which he had not done since his debut album, I'm Serious.[1] The album highlights his "fear, anger and guilt" as he awaited trial.[2]

The album was scheduled to be released in September 2008, but was subsequently moved up to an August 12 after the release of the promotional and lead single "No Matter What" and high demand of the album. At the time, T.I. said that the first single may have been "Top of the World", originally featuring B.o.B and Kanye West, explaining that the song was "a reflective song about our humble beginnings and how far we've come".[3] The album was pushed back for a release date of September 2, then September 9 and to its final release date of September 30, 2008.[4]

T.I. confirmed that Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Usher and John Legend were set to appear on the album in August 2008.[5] Other confirmed guests were B.o.B, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Ludacris and Swizz Beatz. The album was produced by DJ Toomp, Drumma Boy, and Just Blaze, as well as Danja, Jim Jonsin, Kanye West and Swizz Beatz.[6][7]

Rob Knox, the co-producer of "Dead and Gone", stated in an interview that the album will be re-released. Knox also said that the first single off the re-release would be another song produced by himself and Justin Timberlake.[8]

music video:
1.No Matter What:.
2.Whatever You Like:
3.Swing Ya Rag
4.What Up, What's Haapnin'
5.Swagga Like Us(video not done yet)
6.Live Your Life
7.Dead and Gone(video not done yet)

Track listing
1 "56 Bars (Intro)" 3:02
2 "I'm Illy" 4:07
3 "Ready for Whatever" 5:12
4 "On Top of the World" 5:00
5 "Live Your Life" 5:39
6 "Whatever You Like" 4:09
7 "No Matter What" 5:15
8 "My Life Your Entertainment" 4:56
9 "Porn Star" 3:31.
10 "Swing Ya Rag" 3:19
11 "What Up, What's Haapnin'" 5:01
12 "Every Chance I Get" 4:49
13 "Swagga Like Us" 5:27
14 "Slide Show" 3:42
15 "You Ain't Missin' Nothing" 5:10
16 "Dead and Gone" 4:59
* "Collect Call"
(iTunes bonus track) 4:34
* "I Know You Missed Me"
(iTunes bonus track) 3:12

Credits:
Darren Ankenman Photography
Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica Engineer, Mixing
Ricco Barrino Vocals
Michelle Bishop Violin
Matteo Bolzoni Engineer
Leslie Brathwaite Mixing
Carol Briselli Viola
Greg Gigendad Burke Art Direction, Design
Mike Caren Producer
Elliott Carter Engineer, Assistant
Jeff Chestek String Engineer
Eliza Cho Violin
James J. Cooper III Cello
Andrew Dawson Mixing
Chuck Diesel Producer
DJ Troomp Producer
Ghislaine Fleishman Violin
Gary Fly Assistant
Paul Foley Engineer
John Fry Mixing
John Frye Mixing
Lanre Gaba A&R
Chris Gehringer Mastering
Jason Geter Executive Producer, A&R
Christopher "Drumma Boy" Gholson Producer
Larry Gold Conductor, String Arrangements
Rob Gold Producer
Josh Gudwin Assistant
Josh Gurdwin Engineer
Brad "Dirt" Horne Engineer, Assistant
Jean-Marie Horvat Mixing
Individuals Producer
Jim Jonsin Producer
Just Blaze Producer
Hannah Kang A&R
Rob Knox Producer
Emma Kummrow Violin
Lil C Producer
Sydney Margetson Photography
Robert Marks Engineer, Mixing
Darryl Morris Assistant
Peter Nocella Viola
Bill Orcutt Cover Illustration
Anthony Palazzole Assistant
Douglas Peterson A&R
Rosie Phillidor Stylist
Brandon "B" Rackley Producer
James "Nard" Rosser Producer, Engineer
Marsha St. Hubert A&R
Stevie Salas Guitar
Ray Seay Mixing
Derrick Selby Engineer
David Siegel Keyboards
Supa Engineer "Dura" Mixing
Swizz Beatz Producer
Tom Syrowski Assistant
Igor Szwec Violin
Gregory Teperman Violin
Justin Timberlake Producer
T.I.P. Executive Producer
Kanye West Producer
Ryan West Mixing
Elvis Williams Producer
Andrew Wright Tracking
Ian Wright Cover Illustration

Charts& Awards
Australian Albums Chart[36] 16 Gold[37] 35,000
Canadian Albums Chart[38] 2 Platinum[37] 80,000[37]
Dutch Albums Chart[39] 60
European Top 100 Albums[40] 69
French SNEP Albums Chart[39] 51
Irish Albums Chart[39] 34
Japanese Album Chart[41] 14 5,144[42]
New Zealand RIANZ Albums Chart[39] 11 Gold 7,500[43]
Norwegian Albums Chart[39] 37
Swiss Albums Chart[39] 46
U.S. Billboard 200[25] 1 Platinum[31] 1,750,000[30]
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[25] 1
U.S. Billboard Top Rap Albums[25] 1
UK Albums Chart[39] 49 Silver 60,000

My Review:
House arrest would likely slow anyone's daily routine. It probably played a factor in T.I.'s decision to write down his rhymes for the first time since his debut. A year of jail time on the horizon would, just the same, impact a writer's output, and it has done just that on Paper Trail. Plenty of these tracks have nothing to do with T.I.'s federal weapons conviction single "Whatever You Like" and the mindnumbing "Porn Star," where he's barely coasting — but there is a sense of urgency and a new dimension of self-reflection not touched upon throughout the holding pattern that was T.I. vs T.I.P. And when he's just battling, as on "I'm Illy," he reaches a level of indignant rage that manages to top that of "I'm Talkin' to You." The M.I.A.-sampling, Kanye West-produced "Swagga Like Us" features verses from Jay-Z, West, and Lil Wayne, but its chunky, rugged, alien beat could've hit even harder with just T.I., whose pent-up swagger makes for the best vocal fit. The cut with multiple features that is deserving of even more talk is "On Top of the World," where B.o.B. and (especially) Ludacris complement atypical wealth-related T.I. boasts like "Cousins in college — where you think they get tuition from?" The production work also helps place the album above T.I. vs T.I.P.; Toomp's return provides some much needed punch, as does Danja's slow motion, almost bluesy, organ-drenched beat for "No Matter What." T.I is making alot of improvement's in his music, and he's working with many people to produce for him the album. i think next album he's going to feature big stars like snoopy or eminem again, or jay-z who knows.

[Ivy]

Excellent job, you've done your homework...nothing but props here...

[Slim Zaddy]

Excellent job, you've done your homework...nothing but props here...

thanks .. really appreciated

[NCAATX10]

i thought paper trail was real sick. best thing that came out in rap in a while - which isnt much to say in the first place. itll hold me for a little bit but not quite long enough for waiting for relapse to come out