Classic. A word which describes a piece of flawless music when concerning the industry, a perfectly crafted record from start to finishes. Classic. A word which gets abused alot in hip-hop. Classic. To each his own.
T.I. has no classics next to his name, but if anyone at this current time has indicated that they'll cook out a raw classic anytime soon. He has to be the best bet, starting off in '01 with his first major record and debut "Im Serious" T.I. let it be known he could spit. Incorporating his struggles, tussles with the brains and the muscles of whatever makes music sound good. T.I. dropped a healthy debut. Sales wouldn't indicate that however. But what are sales?
For the next 2 and so years, T.I. uplifted his own label 'Grand Hustle'. His own click 'PSC' and what would follow would be his highly praised and acclaimed sophomore offering. "Trap Muzik". By tapping into his street knowledge once again and reaching at the mainstream without ironically sounding mainstream TI gave us a banger. Sales even though stronger this time again wouldn't indicate that. But what are sales? From the scathing "I Can't Quit", an uplifting memo of him facing the many faces of the word 'quit' to persivering whatever he had to, to reach his goals. The craftful piano guided "Be Easy" shows that TI can create soulful hooks, catchy at that. A very potent recipe to get mainstream recognition it seems. And "24's" which is arguebly the lesser songs off the album yet held it's own as one of the strongest that year on the charts?
Through and through Trap Muzik isn't a classic, however T.I. has accomplished something just as good. The recipe to make dope muzik with longetivity, a'la what many would see in a Jigga. (T.I. would later be compared to Jigga in Vibe magazine). It seems that with just 2 records T.I. would mould himself into somewhat of an urban legend in the game.
"Urban Legend". T.I. returns within just over a year, following the hardhitting Trap Muzik with an almost indentical flow of music. Similar in blueprint to what made Trap Muzik successful along hip-hop fans. T.I. started off with a bold statement, a statement which has made noise and stirred eventual beef. 'im the king!'. Sounds familar doesn't it? The big difference which was evident with Urban Legend was that T.I. wasn't relucant to put some more "commercialism" into his music. What he did impecibly was, he once again banged out a raw LP which was still street music. If a goal was to infiltrate the commercial scene with grit over hot beats, goal accomplished. "Motivation" is lifting piece which states "all the hate if fuel to my fire". Words which we should all look into.
His single this time around sounded more adapted to the clubs, "Bring 'Em Out" was a fast tempo track laced by Swizz Beatz (perhaps his best work since the eariler DMX days) with a sampled Jigga bar. T.I. comes correct with both infectious hook and steady flow. Lyrics watered but I think people expect that from singles these days. And with mellow mood setting instrumentals like "Limelight", "My Life", "You Don't Know Me" mixed within the heavy hitting "Countdown" & "Standout". T.I. again finds his rythem lyrically too over nearly every track. The only let down is the subpar performance of PSC on Limelight. And the Pharrell track also leaves something to be desired. Maybe alittle too commercial reaching. Resulting in just a 'shouldve been left out' cut. Classic? Nope, but again T.I. gives us dope music.
Point being, T.I. has definatly got the capacity and potential to be in the game for a long time. And even to somewhat do a stranglehold on it much like Jigga did circa 98 - 01. T.I. isn't Jigga however, but who would wanna be another person? Especially when you can easily hold your own game rightfully and make noise through your music. The way it should be.
T.I. ladies and gentlemen is here to stay.
Opinions?
peace.
T.I. has no classics next to his name, but if anyone at this current time has indicated that they'll cook out a raw classic anytime soon. He has to be the best bet, starting off in '01 with his first major record and debut "Im Serious" T.I. let it be known he could spit. Incorporating his struggles, tussles with the brains and the muscles of whatever makes music sound good. T.I. dropped a healthy debut. Sales wouldn't indicate that however. But what are sales?
For the next 2 and so years, T.I. uplifted his own label 'Grand Hustle'. His own click 'PSC' and what would follow would be his highly praised and acclaimed sophomore offering. "Trap Muzik". By tapping into his street knowledge once again and reaching at the mainstream without ironically sounding mainstream TI gave us a banger. Sales even though stronger this time again wouldn't indicate that. But what are sales? From the scathing "I Can't Quit", an uplifting memo of him facing the many faces of the word 'quit' to persivering whatever he had to, to reach his goals. The craftful piano guided "Be Easy" shows that TI can create soulful hooks, catchy at that. A very potent recipe to get mainstream recognition it seems. And "24's" which is arguebly the lesser songs off the album yet held it's own as one of the strongest that year on the charts?
Through and through Trap Muzik isn't a classic, however T.I. has accomplished something just as good. The recipe to make dope muzik with longetivity, a'la what many would see in a Jigga. (T.I. would later be compared to Jigga in Vibe magazine). It seems that with just 2 records T.I. would mould himself into somewhat of an urban legend in the game.
"Urban Legend". T.I. returns within just over a year, following the hardhitting Trap Muzik with an almost indentical flow of music. Similar in blueprint to what made Trap Muzik successful along hip-hop fans. T.I. started off with a bold statement, a statement which has made noise and stirred eventual beef. 'im the king!'. Sounds familar doesn't it? The big difference which was evident with Urban Legend was that T.I. wasn't relucant to put some more "commercialism" into his music. What he did impecibly was, he once again banged out a raw LP which was still street music. If a goal was to infiltrate the commercial scene with grit over hot beats, goal accomplished. "Motivation" is lifting piece which states "all the hate if fuel to my fire". Words which we should all look into.
His single this time around sounded more adapted to the clubs, "Bring 'Em Out" was a fast tempo track laced by Swizz Beatz (perhaps his best work since the eariler DMX days) with a sampled Jigga bar. T.I. comes correct with both infectious hook and steady flow. Lyrics watered but I think people expect that from singles these days. And with mellow mood setting instrumentals like "Limelight", "My Life", "You Don't Know Me" mixed within the heavy hitting "Countdown" & "Standout". T.I. again finds his rythem lyrically too over nearly every track. The only let down is the subpar performance of PSC on Limelight. And the Pharrell track also leaves something to be desired. Maybe alittle too commercial reaching. Resulting in just a 'shouldve been left out' cut. Classic? Nope, but again T.I. gives us dope music.
Point being, T.I. has definatly got the capacity and potential to be in the game for a long time. And even to somewhat do a stranglehold on it much like Jigga did circa 98 - 01. T.I. isn't Jigga however, but who would wanna be another person? Especially when you can easily hold your own game rightfully and make noise through your music. The way it should be.
T.I. ladies and gentlemen is here to stay.
Opinions?
peace.
^^^Noobs.........
