Its been a slow start for rap releases this year, at this time last year we already had two classic albums from Aftermath records with The Game and 50 Cent. Now in '06, T.I., the rapper who opened the doors for the likes of Young Jeezy, Lil Scrappy, and Boyz N The Hood hopes to bring some much needed heat and trap music.
T.I. is probably the best rapper next to Jay-Z utilitizing a braggadocios and arrogant swagger, most evident on the albums hottest track and lead single "What U Know." I've seen first hand how crazy this song is in NYC clubs and can only imagine how this song is in the south. The other main standout worth the price of admission is the Just Blaze produced "I'm Talking to You," which has T.I. destroying an unnamed adversary over some slick horns and hard hitting drums.
The Mannie Fresh produced "Front Back" with UGK and "Ride wit Me" can best be described as straight rider music and T.I. revisits his tough talk ways of "Neva Scared" with "King Back," "Top Back, and "You know Who."
You also can't analyze this album without mentioning Common's scene stealing verse on the Neptune produced "Good Life."
"King" is definitely the best rap release this year so far and should continue to solidify T.I. as one of ATL's finest alongside Luda and Outkast. The album is not all crack as there is some filler, and the Swizz Beats and T.I. collaboration falls short of “Bring em’ out” but out of 18 tracks you can't expect it all to be bangers.
