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Paper Trail

(2008, Rap, by T.I., Label: Grand Hustle/Atlantic)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Smooth raps, mature lyrics, lots of the N-word.

Why We Rated This not for kids

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Several songs objectify women and discuss getting women drunk to make them more sexually agreeable. On the track "Ready for Whatever" T.I. addresses his real-life arrest and conviction. Although he fesses up to breaking the law, he also rationalizes why he was trying to buy illegal firearms. "Either die or go to jail, that's a hell of a decision, but I'm wrong and I know my excuse is unimportant, I'm just tryin' to let you know I didn't think I had a choice."
  • Violence:

    T.I.'s weapons conviction is discussed on several tracks, although there are no references to using the weapons or hurting anyone.
  • Sex:

    Lyrics including "late night sex is so wet, so tight." The song "Porn Star" includes the most sexually explicit lines, such as "I wanna see you satisfied, inside out, once I'm in you won't want me to slide out, you tell your girlfriends, they gonna wanna try it out." And "hey would ya stay, could ya play with it with your tongue just a little."
  • Language:

    The N-word is used seven times in the first minute of the first track, Bars." The word is then used through the whole album. "S--t," "bitch," and "f--k" are sprinkled throughout each song.
  • Consumerism:

    Several songs, such as "Whatever You Like" brag about spending lots of money on cars, designer clothes, and fancy homes.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    "Pour yourself a shot and chase it with a lime girl, now you feelin' like a hot girl." Patron is name-dropped on several songs: "You can blame it on the Patron or the champagne, but sometimes being bad can be a good thing."
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Paper Trail

Parents need to know that this album is loaded with the "N"-word. There are also several songs that objectify women and discuss getting women drunk to make them more sexually agreeable, as well as sexually explicit lyrics, most notably on the song "Porn Star." Finally, there's the issue of T.I.'s recent conviction for attempting to buy illegal weapons and possession of machine guns. He addresses this issue on the album, and although he admits he is wrong, he tries to justify what he did.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about T.I.'s legal problems. Under house arrest and facing a year in prison, how has T.I.'s image changed since this happened? Do you think he is more respected as a rapper or less of a role model now? If T.I. was a pop singer or actor do you think his career would be more negatively affected by this arrest?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    good if you love rap

    i like t.i my favorie rap artist i have this c-d and it is inaproprite if you love rap or t.i get it.i think this c-d has lyrics that are just horrible

  2. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0

    Amazing

    Good lyrics, amazing beats and good cameos. Language is strong though.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Maine
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0

    Amazing Hip-Hop/ Rap CD

    This was one of my favorite albums of '08. TI has incredible flow and makes an outstanding performance on this album. What makes this album so good is the mix of hip hop tracks and hardcore gansta rap tracks. So you'd get the language you expect, plenty of the n word and pretty much any other swear there is. Quite a few of the songs on this album are laid with lots of heavy moral undertones. TI talks a lot about death in his family, and how he keeps moving forward despite this. He also seems to praise the people he has lost, as if sort of praying to them. All in all, an excellent rap album. The best of 2008 by far.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 1.0

    IT's really good

    Every one goign to have the beast time

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Hip-Hop at it's Best in 2008

    I got this album for my birthday last monday. I gotta say, I really love it. More original than the Tha Carter III, catchier and more genuine than other commercially based Hip-Hop artists. Favorite tracks include Porn Star, My Life Your Entertainment, Live Your Life, and Swing Ya Rag. Go out and get this album!

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