May not live up to its potential but still a lot of fun

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Usually, concept albums are rarely a good idea and a rap concept album is pretty much doomed from its inception. That is unless you’re T.I. then you might be able to pull it off.

On his 5^th studio album, T.I. vs T.I.P, T.I. plays up his seemly split personality. The album is split into three parts. The first belongs to the ex-drug dealer, gangsta persona T.I.P.

The second part is dedicated to the more refined, more business oriented and slightly more level headed T.I. and things culminate with the ultimate battle between the two during the finale.

The album opens with a rather entertaining intro that finds T.I.P overtaking T.I., expressing disillusionment with the rap game and telling off virtually everyone important at his label.

It then proceeds into the summer’s slow burning hit “Big Things Poppin’ (Do It) produced by noted hip hop producer Mannie Fresh. The rest of the T.I.P portion proceeds with pretty much the same I’m-a-dope-boy-and-if-you-even-look-at-me-the-wrong-way-I’ll-kill-you subject matter.

While this is nothing different from most other rap albums, T.I. finds a way to still make it refreshing. It also helps that he has hip hop royalty such Jay-z and Busta Rhymes making guest appearances on songs like “Watch What You Say To Me” and “Hurt” respectively.

This section of the album does have its shining moments like “Da Dopeman” where T.I. explains that contrary to what your favorite rapper says, selling drugs is not all fast money and fast women. There are real consequences.

Act two opens with yet another intro; these are arguably the best part of the album. This time T.I. is in charge. The urgent sounding Just Blaze produced “Help is Coming” finds him making the bold assertion that he can save hip-hop. Which is probably true because T.I. was one of the few rap acts to go platinum last year.

The second set also finds an odd pairing with ex-Fugee Wyclef Jean on the relaxed “My Swag”. As weird as this might sound it actually works. One collabo that doesn’t work, however, is “Show It To Me” with Nelly. The live instrument backing is just a little too out of place.

One of the ways, this part of the album differs from the first is the choice in music. While the first part is filled with hard banging beats that are reminiscent of earlier T.I. albums such as Trap Muzik and Urban Legend. The second set of songs finds him rapping over more progressive and diverse beats.

The subject matter is also completely different. Gone are the street tales and threats. This set explores more of T.I.’s current lifestyle. He does this by name dropping expensive brands from cars to clothes and talking about life in the lap of luxury.

While this part of the album is not as cohesive as the first part, despite it’s misses it’s still entertaining. He also manages to pull Eminem out of self imposed retirement for a verse on the track “Touchdown”.

Act three is really where things get interesting. In “Tell Them I Said That” T.I. calls out rappers that feed their fans false stories of street life. On “Respect This Hustle” the confrontation between the two sides unfolds.

Complete with both sides addressing each other at the beginning and end of the song. Both T.I. and T.I.P set out to prove to each other they are good at what they do. While it’s a good idea in theory, in practice it’s pretty anticlimactic.

T.I. vs T.I.P. is filled with some refreshing and creative moments, however, it failed to live up to all the hype that surrounded its release. Although it falls short in some areas, it’s still fun to hear these two go at it.