Just three days before making his big-screen debut in ATL, Tip “T.I.” Harris did what he has experience in and released his fourth album. Without much surprise, the self-proclaimed “King of the South” labeled his record King.
Indisputably, the best song on King happens to be the same one that has been repeating on radio stations in the past few weeks – “What You Know.” There are no flaws on the Atlanta native’s first single, and the music is by far the best on the CD.
As the record begins, it at first seems like T.I. has used some short, cliché opening. But this is not the case. When the sounds of a king’s introduction are complete, “King Back” continues with a catchy beat and not only ends up a complete song, but one of the best songs on the CD. With “the king back,” the listener is prepared to hear a great album.
But after this great introductory, the second song drops. “Front Back” has a trite chorus that quickly becomes annoying. This is one of the worst songs on King.
The title “Ride Wit Me” may have already been used in the rap game, but T.I.’s “Ride Wit Me” has nothing to do with the Nelly hit. The track has some of the best music and upbeat lyrics on the album. This song is easily second or third best overall on the record.
In “I’m Talkin’ To You,” T.I. shows off some of his best rapping ability. He continually calls himself the truth, and goes on to say “I know you wanna be just like me.” This shows off the cockiness of the “King,” but this is a song in which T.I. has earned the right to be cocky.
“You Know Who” and “Bankhead” are two more songs on the album that really demonstrate the rapper’s abilities.
One of the most disappointing songs on King is “I’m Straight.” This song features fellow Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy, but like “Front Back,” this song is highlighted by an extremely weak chorus.
At first glance, it may seem cool looking at the back of the CD case and seeing Jamie Foxx featured on the album, but he and the always lively and energetic T.I. just don’t mix. Though the song Foxx is in, “Live In The Sky,” has very meaningful lyrics, including “I like to dedicate this song to anybody who done ever lost something, to the graves, to the streets, to the jail cell,” the track’s R&B beat does not fit on a T.I. record.
“Hello” is another R&B song that seems to have been mistakenly included on the album.
Through the course of the CD, the good outweighs the not as good, but T.I. may have spent too much time acting instead of creating the best possible music to his abilities. King may only be worth the money for big fans of either T.I. or rap from the south.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Jeff Appelblatt can be reached at G20Knicks@aol.com.
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