Atlanta, Georgia rapper, songwriter, actor & record executive T.I. calling it a career with his 12th & final studio LP. Amongst “the big 3” trap pioneers alongside Gucci Mane & Jeezy respectively, he would go on to drop a few classics back in the early 2000s including the Atlantic Records-backed sophomore effort Trap Muzik as well as King & Paper Trail. Last time I enjoyed a full-length from the Grand Hustle Records founder was Dime Trap under Epic Records back in 2018, coming off his beef with 50 Cent to Kill the King.
After the “King’s Thought” intro, “See Wh’am Sayin’” opens up with him talking about taking the crown back home over a DJ Toomp instrumental whereas “Let ‘Em Know” incorporates a trap beat from Pharrell so he can put his foot on the gas. “Where I’m From” produced by Dr. Dre & Dem Jointz talks about the ATL being the home of the scandalous leading into “Rant” addressing the biggest misconception of his career: That he gives a fuck.
“Mr. Him” runs it back with Pharrell chasing the vision instead of a bag just before “How It Went” featuring The-Dream joins forces for a trap/R&B duet recalling the way their careers panned out for them. “Dope Boys Academy” featuring Jeezy & 2 Chainz finds the trio talking about their days of slanging drugs while “Pistol on the Dance Floor” takes a funkier approach to conclude the 1st half of Kill the King & getting significantly flirtatious through the lyrics.
Kicking off the 2nd leg, the final single “And Won’t” has more of an underwhelming pop rap vibe suited for radio play talking about him folding for a bitch while “Gorgeous” instrumentally slows things down courtesy of Young Fyre admiring the beauty of this woman who he can’t get enough of. “We On” talks about him doing it big over a Turbo beat while “Llogclay” featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again finds the pair telling listeners to choose between growing old or dying young.
“Ego” winds down Kill the King’s last moments standing by nobody being able to fuck with him while “Trauma Bond” samples “Ballan’ Parlay” by the late Big Pokey so he can talk about his legacy being celebrated. “Represent a Time” featuring Young Dro warns to be cautious of what we put next to the flame over an Organized Noize beat & after “Big Dog” soulfully gets boastful for a couple minutes, “Continental” ends the album getting reflective over a Juicy J instrumental.
The L.I.B.R.A. (Legend Is Back Running Atlanta) left me disappointed when T.I. had initially made his EMPIRE Distribution debut during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic & I can understand if some don’t care for Kill the Kingthat much either, but it’s definitely the most enjoyable full-length in his catalog since Dime Trap since this egotistically self-gratuitous persona that kinda enters the room before he does physically gets sent off permanently because of the fulfillment he feels towards his music career.
Score: 3.5/5
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