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T.I.’s Paper Trail [Deluxe Edition]: A Review of the 2008 Rap Classic

In 2008, T.I. released his sixth studio album, Paper Trail [Deluxe Edition], which became one of his most successful and acclaimed projects to date. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling over 500,000 copies in its first week, and spawned four top ten singles: “Whatever You Like”, “Live Your Life” featuring Rihanna, “Swagga Like Us” featuring Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil Wayne, and “Dead and Gone” featuring Justin Timberlake. The album also earned T.I. three Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album.

Paper Trail [Deluxe Edition] showcased T.I.’s versatility and growth as a rapper, as he experimented with different styles and sounds, while staying true to his signature trap music. The album was also notable for being written entirely by T.I., who claimed that he wrote down his lyrics on paper for the first time since his debut album, I’m Serious (2001). The title of the album reflected T.I.’s legal troubles at the time, as he was facing a year-long prison sentence for federal weapons charges. The album was seen as a way for T.I. to express his thoughts and emotions before going to jail.

The album featured a star-studded list of producers and guest artists, such as Just Blaze, Swizz Beatz, Danja, Toomp, Drumma Boy, B.o.B, Ludacris, Usher and John Legend. The album also included a bonus track, “I Know You Missed Me”, which was exclusive to the UK edition. The album received widespread critical acclaim from music critics, who praised T.I.’s lyrical skills, storytelling abilities and musical diversity. The album was also a commercial success, selling over two million copies in the US and becoming certified double platinum by the RIAA.

One of the highlights of the album was the song “Swagga Like Us”, which featured four of the biggest names in rap at the time: T.I., Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil Wayne. The song sampled M.I.A.’s hit “Paper Planes” and showcased each rapper’s unique style and charisma. The song was nominated for two Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, and won the latter. T.I. also performed the song live at the Grammy Awards with Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and a pregnant M.I.A.

Another standout track was “Live Your Life”, which featured Rihanna on the hook. The song was a motivational anthem that encouraged listeners to pursue their dreams and ignore the haters. The song sampled O-Zone’s “Dragostea Din Tei” and became T.I.’s second number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as Rihanna’s fifth. The song also broke the record for the highest jump to number one in the chart’s history, leaping from number 80 to number one in one week.

T.I. also showed his emotional side on songs like “No Matter What” and “Dead and Gone”. On “No Matter What”, he addressed his legal issues and personal struggles, as well as his determination to overcome them. He rapped: “I ain’t dead (nah) I ain’t done (nah) / I ain’t scared (of what?) I ain’t run (from who?) / But still I stand (yeah) / No matter what people here I am (yeah) / No matter what remember”. On “Dead and Gone”, he collaborated with Justin Timberlake, who sang the chorus about leaving the past behind and moving on. T.I. rapped about his regrets and mistakes, as well as his hopes for a better future. He rapped: “I’ve been travelin’ on this road too long (too long) / Just tryin’ to find my way back home (back home) / But the old me’s dead and gone / Dead and gone”.

The album also had its share of club bangers, such as “Whatever You Like”, “Swing Ya Rag” and “Porn Star”. On these tracks, T.I. flaunted his wealth and status, while also catering to his female fans. The production on these songs was handled by Jim Jonsin, Swizz Beatz and Danja, respectively, who provided catchy and energetic beats for T.I. to rap over. These songs were also successful on the charts, with “Whatever You Like” becoming T.I.’s first solo number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Paper Trail [Deluxe Edition] also included some bonus tracks that were not available on the standard edition. One of them was “I Know You Missed Me”, which was exclusive to the UK edition. On this track, T.I. addressed his fans and assured them that he was still the same rapper they loved, despite his legal troubles. He rapped: “I know you missed me / I’m back again / I’m still the same / Ain’t nothing changed / I’m still the king”. Another bonus track was “Collect Call”, which featured vocals from Mitchelle’l. On this track, T.I. reflected on his life and career, and expressed his gratitude for his supporters. He rapped: “I appreciate your love and all your sacrifice / Without you in my life I swear I’d die twice”.

Paper Trail [Deluxe Edition] was not only a critical and commercial success, but also a cultural phenomenon. The album had a huge impact on the hip hop scene and the music industry in general, as it showcased T.I.’s versatility, creativity and resilience. The album also influenced many other artists and inspired countless remixes, covers and tributes. The album was widely regarded as one of the best albums of 2008, and one of T.I.’s best works to date.

Some of the accolades that the album received include three Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album, four BET Hip Hop Awards, including Album of the Year, two MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Male Video for “Live Your Life”, and two American Music Awards, including Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album. The album was also certified double platinum by the RIAA, selling over two million copies in the US. The album also performed well internationally, reaching the top ten in several countries, such as Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand.

In several interviews, T.I. explained the meaning and the process behind Paper Trail [Deluxe Edition]. He said that he decided to write down his lyrics on paper for the first time since his debut album, because he wanted to be more focused and organized. He also said that he wanted to make an album that would appeal to a wide range of listeners, from his core fans to the mainstream audience. He said: “I wanted to make a classic album that everybody could appreciate and respect. I wanted to make an album that would stand the test of time and be remembered as one of the best rap albums ever”.

T.I. also revealed some of the inspirations and influences behind some of the songs on the album. He said that he was inspired by Jay-Z’s American Gangster (2007) album, which was based on the movie of the same name. He said: “I watched the movie and I listened to the album, and I was like, ‘Wow, this is incredible’. I wanted to do something similar, but with my own story and my own perspective”. He also said that he was influenced by Eminem’s The Eminem Show (2002) album, which he considered one of his favorite albums of all time. He said: “I love how Eminem was able to balance his personal life and his rap career on that album. He was able to show his vulnerability and his strength at the same time. He was able to make songs that were funny, sad, angry, and inspirational. He was able to do it all”.

Paper Trail [Deluxe Edition] has also been recognized as one of the best hip hop albums of the 2000s decade by various publications and critics. For instance, Rolling Stone ranked it at number 98 on its list of the 100 Best Albums of the 2000s, calling it “a masterful mix of swagger and regret”. Complex ranked it at number 15 on its list of The 100 Best Albums of the Complex Decade, praising T.I.’s “impressive lyrical display” and “diverse production”. Pitchfork ranked it at number 147 on its list of The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s, stating that it “captured T.I. at a crucial moment in his career”.

Paper Trail [Deluxe Edition] also cemented T.I.’s status as one of the most influential and respected rappers of his generation. The album showcased his ability to balance commercial appeal and artistic integrity, as well as his skill to adapt to changing trends and sounds in the rap game. The album also demonstrated his resilience and determination to overcome his personal and legal challenges, and to use his music as a platform to inspire and empower others. The album was a testament to T.I.’s legacy as a rap legend and a cultural icon.

In conclusion, Paper Trail [Deluxe Edition] was a landmark album in T.I.’s career and in the history of hip hop. The album was a showcase of T.I.’s talent, versatility and charisma, as well as his honesty, vulnerability and maturity. The album was a reflection of T.I.’s life and times, as he faced his trials and tribulations, and also celebrated his achievements and successes. The album was a masterpiece of rap music, that combined different styles and sounds, and featured some of the best producers and artists in the industry. The album was a critical and commercial smash, that earned T.I. several awards and accolades, and sold millions of copies worldwide. The album was also a cultural phenomenon, that had a huge impact on the hip hop scene and the music industry, and influenced many other artists and fans. Paper Trail [Deluxe Edition] was one of the best albums of 2008, and one of T.I.’s best works to date.

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