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Overall

T.I.’s main goal in creating this album is creating the next level of what Paper Trail was, and for the most part he accomplishes this. The great news about this album is that it will make you quickly forget about the disappointment that No Mercy was and will answer the questions on if T.I. can still bring it on records. Obviously on record with DJ Toomp, he shines but his growing chemistry with Toronto producer T-Minus shouldn’t be ignored.

Although every single one of his triumphs and failures have been put on the television for the world to see, he defends why he continues to rap about the “trap.” “Why can’t I talk about it,” asks T.I. rhetorically. “I paid the price and learned the lessons from it, so nobody has more right to talk about it than me. It doesn’t mean because I experience it that I now no longer have the right to speak on it.”

When I asked how he continues to put out this image although we see him as a family man and husband on The Family Hustle, T.I. retorts “To expect me to be one way every time you see me is to expect me to be a one-dimensional man. Which I’ve never been. I’ve always applauded my efforts to remain diverse and multi-faceted, does that make me less than? Contrary.”

Indeed. In a world where everything an artist does is scrutinized, the Kang embraces his troubled past and puts it out on front street. He doesn’t make you feel sorry for him at all, since he continues to talk about the things that got him in trouble, but you understand him.

For an artist, that’s all you can ask for.

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