Tip, better known as T.I., debuts his new album, “No Mercy” on Dec. 7. The album features artists such as Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Chris Brown, Young Dro, Trey Songz, Eminem, and Pharell. T.I.’s album tells the story of his past and how he has changed.
The first song on the album, “Welcome to the World,” features Kid Cudi and Kanye West. In this song, T.I. has moved from the focus of outside appearances to characteristics of people. “It brings me great pleasure to welcome the real and banish the fake/must suck all th-th-the haters hate us for the flavor.”
It’s cool to see that since T.I.’s time in jail, he has moved on from infantile things that don’t matter. He speaks out against fake people, and I like that about him and this album.
His second song on the album, “How Life Changed,” continues to talk about the changes he faced in life.
This song has a slower beat but I love it. “I remember walkin’/Didn’t have a dollar in my pocket/Now I’m watching stocks like what’s the options/I remember hustlin’/Tryin’ to get these crooked cops off us/Now I read about it in my office.” The song tells of how T.I has evolved and gained a better situation in life.
“Get Back Up” features Chris Brown. T.I. and Brown convey such a powerful message. The song talks about times when everything is perfect and you have a million friends, but then something happens and everything goes wrong and you have no one. “‘Cause when you got the belt and the ring/People with ya poppin’ bottles, taking pictures look around/As soon as you fall down all the haters pass a judgment.”
Other songs that shouldn’t be missed off the album are “I Can’t Help It,” “Big Picture,” “Strip” featuring Trey Songz, “Salute,” “Everything On Me,” “Poppin’ Bottles,” and “Lay Me Down.”
“That’s All She Wrote” features Eminem, which takes the theme of the album to another level. T.I. and Eminem say how a person should disregard what everyone says and simply worry about themselves.
Eminem makes the song with his rap verses. He raps so fast, it’s hard to imagine people can speak that quickly. Nonetheless, “That’s All She Wrote” is another song off the album that shouldn’t be missed.
T.I brings the bread to the table with “No Mercy.” The song talks about how kids have bad situations and no one seems to care, so they enter into a continuous circle. T.I. expands on social, personal, and political issues all in his album, which is interesting to hear.
“Castle Walls,” featuring Christina Aguilera, is arguably the best song on the album. It relays a theme, but in a sultry way, that pushes the album into a place of deep expression.
Aguilera sings, “Everyone thinks I have it all/ but it’s so empty living behind these castle walls.” It just really speaks to listeners in such a deep way and says how the life of the rich and the famous isn’t always as perfect as it may seem. It’s such a great song.
T.I.’s album “No Mercy” is one that listeners should buy because they won’t be disappointed.