Grade: 70/100
In the mid-2000s, Atlanta rapper T.I. laid waste to all of his competition and took his place as self-proclaimed “King of the South.” Albums such as “Urban Legend,” “King” and “Paper Trail” resulted in multiple No. 1 hits and Grammy nominations.
Over the last six years, legal issues and poor musical efforts have led to T.I.’s dethroning, but his newest record “Paperwork” may be the project that pushes him back into the ranks of rap royalty.
T.I. has been labeled as an intelligent rapper with street appeal, but “Paperwork” falls short when he tries too hard to be the smartest man in the room or forces a concept. “New National Anthem,” a song focusing on American government and legal punishment, is muddled by T.I.’s ego and attempts to play the blame game.
A forced attempt at another pop hit such as “No Mediocre” comes in the form of “Let Your Heart Go (Break My Soul).” The song appears late in the album and leaves listeners wondering why it was even included.
Both aforementioned songs could be left off “Paperwork” — in fact, the record would benefit from it. A focus on the famous cadenced rapping of T.I. is all the album needs. He reaches for what he believes will bring commercial success, but commercial success is beginning to matter less as time goes on.
Only three out of 18 songs on the deluxe edition of “Paperwork” are without a feature. Some artists fill their role well, such as Young Thug, Usher and Rick Ross, while two assists from Pharrell and one from Nipsey Hussle leave much to be desired.
These are small negatives in the grand scheme of “Paperwork.” It’s the most balanced album T.I. has released since “King” in 2006. Through the album lies the aggressive rhyme scheme, clever hooks and braggadocious attitude that fans of the rapper have come to love.
Songs such as “About the Money” and “Oh Yeah” prove the T.I. from his “Urban Legend” days still exists, and he has more left in the tank.
This isn’t the best project T.I. has ever released, but after a such a musical decline, “Paperwork” acts as the foothold the rapper needs to climb back to the top of the rap mountain.