It usually happens just like this! Rap artist today come out with a somewhat phenomenal smash one-year then comeback with a project that never had the dream of touching its predecessor the next. As is the case with TI’s one of only two platinum selling albums of last year King. With a key role in his own movie ATL and a string of hits leading up to its March release, it’s no doubt that 2006 belonged to the self-proclaimed “king of the south”. 2007 on the other hand hints at a little bit of a different outcome for the king. His latest album TI vs. TIP, which is an adopted title from an interesting track off his first platinum selling album Trap Music, hasn’t been anticipated with the same amount of fanfare. With record sales and creativity both lacking in the rap world this album is about more than just the battle between Clifford Harris’ alternating egos. It’s about the entire rap game, and all eyes are centered on the throne.  

The album kicks off with an aggravated TIP phoning in his unwillingness to rap anymore to Atlantic head honcho Lyor Cohen. The unspectacular first single “Big Shit Poppin” is a mere reflection of an overall unspectacular album. Things seem to be falling in place as TIP spits over above average production from the likes of Lil C on “Raw” and Wyclef Jean on the island two step jump off “You Know What It Is”. TIP re-enlists the assistance of Mannie Fresh to make sure everyone knows that he’s still very much in touch with the trap on “Da Dopeman”. Though the beat is one of the album’s freshest the content and hook are both irreparably monotonous to the rest of the rap game. The boiling point of the album comes when Jay-Z shows up on “Watch What You Say” and responds to some of the ill-fated lines being sent his way in the recent months.

On “Act II” TI finally awakes from within the mentality of TIP and has a confused phone conversation with his Co-CEO Jason Geter. Besides the corny hook on “Help Is Coming” TI gets a good look from renowned producer Just Blaze as he attempts to single handedly save hip hop. The usually on point Runners turn in two very underachieving production credits on “We Do This” and “Don’t You Wanna Be High”. In most cases Eminem would come through and command all the attention on a track, but his production credit on “Touchdown” is the only pleasing factor as he and TI disappoint lyrically and conceptually. TI closes out the lackluster album on a good note by preminiscing the world after his death on the mellow Keith Mack produced “My Type”.

TI vs. TIP is for a lack of better words a flat out disappointment, which doesn’t live up to any standards previously set by TI. The alter ego concept comes off disorganized for the most part with TIP coming out the undisputed winner of the battle. Maybe he’ll take into consideration the fanfare his TIP side will receive and leave the laid back TI moniker alone in the future. Production wise nothing hits hard like a number of tracks from his storied past mainly due to the absence of longtime producer DJ Toomp. Basically TI vs. TIP sounds like a collection of filler tracks from his last four albums all rolled into one. Looks like the throne is now up for grabs!