Thoughts on T.I.’s “Paper Trail”

For T.I., the last couple of years have been filled with ups and downs. The Atlanta rapper has earned accolades anointing him the official king of the South but also been surrounded by controversy, most notably due to his much publicized run in with the law. Thankfully, for fans and listeners, T.I.’s committed his thoughts on these matters and more to paper.

With Paper Trail (Grand Hustle/Atlantic), his latest studio album, the rapper has set the bar not only for southern hip-hop, but also rap music in general. From the lyrical onslaught found on “Ready for Whatever,” to the hater crushing anthem “What’s Up, What’s Haapnin” and the infectious Rihanna assisted club anthem “Live Your Life,” T.I.’s lyrical trail is one worth following.