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Album: T.I. Vs T.I.P. Artist: T.I. Since reaching his creative apex, is there a more predictable and plodding step down for an artist than a concept album? T.I. vs T.I.P. is mercifully light on the requisite skits illustrating its dichotomy, but you almost wish there were more of them to explain the album's weird alchemy of simultaneously overwrought and undercooked production and flaccid, self-absorbed lyricism. On first single "Big Shit Poppin' (Do It)," T.I. meanders alongside an annoying Mannie Fresh guitar sample before resigning himself to a toothless hook. A similar problem plagues "Da Dopeman," a would-be pushers' anthem that sounds like T.I. is trying to convince himself of something he no longer believes ("You da dopeman nigga/ Da dopeman nigga/ Da dope dope dope dopeman nigga," ad nauseum). T.I. possesses enough raw ability to carry even the most rote hip-hop exercises, but he's undermined on the album's standout tracks by a guest roster (including Busta Rhymes, Nelly, and Wyclef Jean) that reads like every other bloody top 40 rap albums guest list. Even the Eminem-aided "Touchdown" is predictably dour and inconsequential. 1. Act I 2. Big Shit Poppin' (Do It) 3. Raw 4. You Know What It Is [ft. Wyclef Jean] 5. Da Dopeman 6. Watch What You Say to Me [ft. Jay-Z] 7. Hurt [ft. Alpha Mega & Busta Rhymes] 8. Act II 9. Help Is Coming 10. My Swag [ft. Wyclef Jean] 11. We Do This 12. Show It to Me [ft. Nelly] 13. Don't You Wanna Be High 14. Touch Down [ft. Eminem] 15. Act III: The Confrontation 16. Tell 'Em I Said That 17. Respect This Hustle 18 My Type
Article by Robin J.
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