Urban Legend

The chart scraping success of T.I.’s 2003 breakthrough may have come as something as a surprise to the Atlanta rapper, and the follow up <i>Trap Muzik</i> seemed like a natural progression from the hardcore swagger of T.I.’s sadly overlooked debut. <i>Urban Legend</i>, T.I.’s highly polished, guest spot heavy follow up to <i>Trap Muzik</i> benefits from T.I.’s heightened commercial ambitions, and despite its glossy production finds him sounding more fiercely driven than at any other point in his career. Though <i>Urban Legend</i> has its misses — particularly the somnolent “Freak Through” — it contains a handful of undeniably powerful tracks that feature T.I. performing at the height of his powers. The hit single “You Don’t Know Me,” the relentless “ASAP,” and the JAŸ-Z sampling “Bring ‘Em Out” all see T.I. delivering raps matching the dexterous, punch line driven witticisms of East Coast legends like Kool G. Rap while simultaneously displaying the laid back confidence of Southern icons like Scarface and Bun B. <i>Urban Legend</i> is one of the most exciting and rewarding entries in T.I.’s discography.