Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that these lyrics are filled with strong language, including most (if not all) of the English language's four-letter words. The "N" word is also used frequently, and there are references to guns, violence, and exploitive sexuality. "I guarantee I put this D-I-C-K in somebody's daughter...still have my way with the ladies across the water" is one of T.I.'s more poetic expressions of romantic love.
Families can talk about how effective it is -- or isn't -- to brag about your exploits. T.I. has some important things to say, but he spends so much time talking about how rich and talented he is that his message sometimes gets lost in the process. How would you handle being rich and famous? Families can also discuss how artists can use sexuality in a positive way. Do rappers need to be x-rated to be heard?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
T.I. is a man with a lot of talent -- along with a heart, a soul, and a social conscience. He also has some very accomplished friends, many of whom jumped on board to help him make the extraordinary-sounding album T.I. VS T.I.P. Unfortunately, T.I. is so obsessed with his own importance, wealth, and connections that the good stuff gets lost in the shuffle, despite some wonderful performances and instrumental tracks that crackle with intense energy.
Life's ups and downs have fueled art since the beginning of time, and T.I. is adept at using events in his own life as inspiration for his lyrics. A friend's murder, a pregnancy ended in miscarriage, hypocrisy, and hustlers all find a place here as the artist tries to make sense of a complex world. Unfortunately, while there's ample opportunity to communicate with intelligence and passion, he spends so much time boasting about his wealth, guns, and sexual prowess that any potentially relevant message gets lost in the bravado.
One "message" song, "Da Dopeman," describes the hopelessness of young men who end up selling drugs on street corners: "Take a young'n who inspirin' and give him some change/won't nobody hire him so he get in the game/went and bought a 50 slab, divided it up with the team/sold 'em all double down did it again/By then you got enough to buy a quarter ounce." But soon poetic social commentary takes a back seat to arrogant posturing. That, along with an obsession with explicit language, ends up diluting what could be a powerful and poignant message.
Fans might want to check out CDs by the guest artists, including Jay-Z, Nelly, and Eminem.
Rate It!
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentCrudely clever, explicit sexuality ("A non-stop treat until your G-spot leak") that is nearly always sexist. |
 |
|
 |
|
ViolenceMany graphic references to guns and violence ("...this pistol hit you in the face/your teeth you have to replace"). |
|
|
|
|
LanguageConstant barrage of every four-letter word there is. Also, the "N" word. |
|
|
|
|
Message |
|
|
|
|
Social BehaviorThere's a social conscience buried under the arrogant bravado. |
 |
 |
|
|
CommercialismA few brand names (liquor, cars) are mentioned. CD insert advertises several other products. |
|
|
|
|
Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoReferences to crack, booze, and weed. |
|
|
|
|
