March 31, 2006

Top 25 - T.I.

Welcome to T.I. Appreciation Day at Virtual Bomaniland. That sounds really, well, lame. But that’s sorta what this is. I said yesterday some of why I dig him so much, but it’s more than just that. Much of what I say is associated with the respect I have for how he handled his career after he got dropped by Arista (one of the worst moves in the history of the record industry), the way he’s dictated so many trends in the Atlanta scene, and his ability to back up one of the most staggering egos this side of KRS-ONE.

Biggest thing–few people have been able to show Tip’s versatility and match his sincerity. And now that he’s four albums strong, it’s clear that we’re going to be considering him with the pantheon before long.

Before the list, here’s how I place his albums from best to not quite as good as the best.

Trap Muzik
I’m Serious
King
Urban Legend

That doesn’t mean I don’t like Urban Legend. Just ain’t as hard as the others. But that’s the same way I feel about ATLiens in the OutKast catalog.

And now, the list. As always, suggestions are invited. I’ve compiled this while on the phone with my boss, so I’m sure I’m missing things.

25. Let’s Get Away. This should be subtitled “Don’t Let the Smooth Taste Fool You.” As suckeriffic as it may seem, this is playa shit to the nth degree.

24. 24s. This may be the song for Eastside Stompin.

23. I’m Talkin To You. Note–evaluations of songs from this new album are difficult because there’s no way to see how they will age. Had I done a list in 1995, chance are Ini Kamozie would have a song on the top ten of something. Two weeks later, I’d cringe. All the same, this one’s that heat.

22. Motivation. The valedictorian at my nephew’s high school graduation quoted this song. And made it work. Dope it is.

21. Get Loose. I don’t care if you don’t like Nelly, but you have to respect the line, “money ain’t a thang to the Uncut king.” Tip kills this one, too.

20. Hands Up. From the tragically slept-on I’m Serious. Just check that beat.

19. T.I. vs. T.I.P.. There’s something really interesting about a 23 year old man talking to his “younger” self. Makes you wonder if Tip really has been here before.

18. Rubber Band Man. OVERRATED. But it still goes hard.

17. King Back. Ladies and gentlemen, Just Blaze.

16. Hotel. Am I the only person that wonders why Too Short stays gettin killed on other people’s songs?

15. Limelight. “Sexy/gorgeous/beautiful/would you do/somethin real freaky tonight?” The P$C cats are sorta wack, but this song goes so hard.

14. Top Back. New record. Guaranteed club banger this summer. Believe dat.

13. Bring ‘Em Out. The official resurrection of Swizz Beats, who appears later on this list. The beat was so pop, but Tip kept it gritty. Not an easy feat, folks.

12. Get It. Swizzy! New album. Check the beat. That’s all you’ll need to do, I promise.

11. You Ain’t Hard. I do agree with people that don’t think Tip’s as street as he was on the first album. No one’s explained why that’s intrinsically better, though.

10. ASAP/U Don’t Know Me. I put these together because they’re so similar. Both dope as hell, too. From ASAP, “Listen nigga/this shit here is more than just a bunch of rhymes/I don’t know what you do for your respect/but I’mma die for mines.” Serious.

9. I’m Serious. Yeah, when you invoke the names of Jesus Christ AND Jigga, you’re talkin big shit. I’m also a big fan of the remix.

8. Be Better Than Me. “Crackers love nothin’ better to see/than young niggaz with a felony sheet/so be better than me.” Certainly not all white folks, but I damn sure get where he’s coming from. Great record, cautionary without being corny.

7. What’s Yo Name. Interestingly, Tip has a lot of songs for the wimmens. But they all bang and are never suckerish. Except for “Let Me Tell You Something” from Trap Muzik, which is easily the worst song either he or the song’s producer, Kanye West, ever did. That shit suuuuuuuucks.

6. Bezzle. Unfortunately, the brilliance of this one has little to do with Tip. Refer to Toomp’s track and Bun B’s verse.

5. What You Know. The single off this new album. If you don’t like this, I don’t like you. That’s all I’ll say.

4. Freak Though. Really, this should have been higher. I love this song so much because it’s about time someone broke down that hoe/housewife bullshit and came with the real. He wants a nasty, do it all chick and is willing to claim her as his own. That’s far more progressive than most are willing to admit. The rampant use of “bitch” in other songs is not progressive, but I seriously respect the real on this one.

3. No More Talk. There could have been no other purpose to this song other than to show just how dope he can be. And show it he did. Listened to this while passing customs in Dallas on the way back from London and made a fool of myself rappin along and going, “oh shit!”

2. Doin’ My Job. I don’t agree with much of this song, which paints slangin’ as simply a form of employment. But his case is well laid out, the emotions sincere, and the beat….Kanye at his best.

1. Dope Boyz. Tip’s right when he says he got these cats in Atlanta rappin about trappin. He definitely was the first to do it in the way it’s done most often these days, one of those “for better or worse” sort of influences. All the same, the beat on this bangs. The lyrics are dope. And in a lot of ways, it is the blueprint for westside Atlanta rap of this millennium. I’ve never gotten tired of this and never will.

8 Comments »

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  1. Cats have always slept on “Freak Though”, that’s definately one of my favorites in the TI collection. Pharrell brought the heat on that track. I thought TI should’ve did a video for the track because you know the ladies would’ve ate that up but I Guess he was trying to still keep the street image… oh well…

    Comment by Atlantasfinest — March 31, 2006 #

  2. Must say that I agree with you on the whole King thing. There’s just something about T.I.P. man! I prefer T.I.P. to T.I., and I can’t even articulate why. For lack of better phrasing, there’s just something about a skinny nigga that goes for his! Plus, he’s just pure charisma; you don’t know if he’s going to crack that easy smile of his or whip somebody’s ass. Anyway, What You Know has truly snuck up on me. I liked it at first, but now I really like it, and find myself singing it at the oddest moments. Bring Em Out is probably my all-time favorite. The energy in that Swizz Beatz track…I’m so glad he’s back and on top of his.

    On a side note, check the Just Blaze article in this week’s Village Voice.

    And yes T.I.P. has been here before, just like you.

    Did i mention I’m also rather skinny?

    Comment by Stephanie — March 31, 2006 #

  3. Oh, man. Let’s Get Away got me through many road trips to FAMU.

    So did Do It, by the way (which isn’t on here *ahem*). Ah, and the memories of Studio Central come flooding back…

    And I don’t know why, but something about Still Ain’t Forgave Myself (which also isn’t on here…) always gets me. Makes me stop and think and say, “Damn.”

    Other than those two glaring omissions, I’m down with this list, though. Skinny dudes with justifiably big egos. (sigh) Just one more reason to miss Atlanta.

    Comment by AliaJSmith — March 31, 2006 #

  4. What does T.I. and T.I.P. stand for.

    Comment by Rex — March 31, 2006 #

  5. Where’s that Crystal Waters/Tribe song from the new album? That’s probably the best thing he’s done.

    Comment by Bol — March 31, 2006 #

  6. “Still ain’t forgave myself” is a glaring ommision. That’s the realest song since “All I’ve is You” by Ghostface

    I’m inclined to agree.

    Comment by TheOtherBO — April 1, 2006 #

  7. Somewhat offtopic, but I think you should do one of these lists for UGK next …

    Comment by RDR — April 3, 2006 #

  8. I’m down with T.I. but has anyone checked out the new ATL movie? I’m possibly considering watching it tonite INSTEAD of the NCAA Championship game, you think it’d be a mistake or a good choice? Anyone?

    Comment by Shot Clock — April 3, 2006 #

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