T.I. Vs T.I.P.

CD Details

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T.I. may take alter-egotism to new heights on T.I. vs. T.I.P., an album that’s essentially a spinoff of a song (Trap Muzik’s psychologically charged “T.I. vs. T.I.P.”), but few artists have been known to spin something so compelling out of a concept so silly. T.I.P. is the hoodie-wearing hustler we get to know in the first part of this exceptionally long disc–he curses and boasts behind the beats with a lazy bravado that manages to be both slouchy and sharp (check out “Da Dopeman,” “Watch What You Say” featuring a fired-up Jay-Z, and “You Know What It is,” with Wyclef), and T.I. is the right-minded tycoon-type who takes over for a while in act two. As smooth an operator as T.I. is–“Show It to Me,” featuring Nelly, finds its groove and never lets up–he’s more compelling in the grittier parts of the disc, including a four-song final act in which the two halves of his deeply divided personality square off. “Respect This Hustle,” the M.C. commands on the next-to-last track; detractors will try not to, citing the slightness of his concept. T.I. is at the top of his game, though, and he makes it heard. –Tammy La Gorce

Product description

T.I. ~ T.i. Vs T.i.p.