T.I.'s F a Mixtape Mixtape: A Review

Since his release from prison on federal weapons charges in March, the self-proclaimed "King of the South" T.I., has been nothing if not deliberate. Two singles, one (shockingly) titled I'm Back and the second Yeah Ya Know from the soundtrack to the upcoming film Takers heralded his arrival, and now on its heels, dropped F a Mixtape to remind people just how potent he can be before the release of his upcoming album King Uncaged.

The mixtape, composed of new compositions produced by the likes of DJ Toomp, Swizz Beatz, Jim Jonsin, Lil C, and Timbaland, is of album quality, the only real differences being length, sequencing, and thematic coherence. Actually, strike that last one, as the mixtape is firmly about why T.I. should not make a mixtape, the album quality cuts undergirded by a number of hilarious skits about the futility of this mixtape by comedians Jaime Foxx, Kevin Hart, and Lil Duval, and T.I. himself.

I'm Back should have made the cut as it epitomizes the sentiment of the mixtape. That track's sinister undertone is similar to street tracks like A.S.A.P. off of his third album, 2004's Urban Legend, or even Whatcha Saying Tip? on this mixtape. It also might have been nice to hear from some other Grand Hustle signees like Young Dro or 8Ball and MJG, either of whose street-oriented approach would have been a perfect fit for this mixtape. But these are minor complaints, in the face of so much quality material.

The guest list is impressive and appropriately concise: MacBoney and Mike Bigga (Killer Mike) from his own camp, plus Rich Kid Rashad, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, and Keri Hilson. Jeezy and T.I.'s verses bounce off a jaunty beat and Lil Wayne and T.I.'s spontaneous explosions of lighting fast lyrics highlight a strong chemistry between the two.

Here We Go Again is by far the best track on the album, featuring a downtempo Timbaland beat which sounds as if it was made for an early Missy or Aaliyah album. Ready Set Go, largely a set for Mike Bigga is a close second, due to Mike laying waste to the innovative composition. The most unique sonic experience here comes from the Amadeus-produced Whether You Like It Or Not...too bad, as an album snippet, it's less than a minute long. Once Upon a Time is another highlight, the hookless freestyle a pure storytelling rap. And Really Livin' Like That produced by long-time T.I. collaborator DJ Toomp, extends the range of the mixtape into social commentary territory as T.I.'s chastisement of people who live above their means becomes a pointed critique of inner-city economic conditions. Plus, there are the radio-and club-ready records like the Swizz-Beatz produced Spazz Out, and the Jim Jonsin-produced Get Ya Girl.

There are club records, street records, concept records, odes. F a Mixtape provides a strong template for artists looking to reaffirm their primacy. If other name-artists, such as Game on The Red Room (read review), had half as much sonic invention, song variety, and wordplay, they'd be able to build a deafening buzz for their upcoming album, or at the very least strengthen the argument that they are at the top of their game. While T.I. may have released this mixtape against his better judgment, it is more than a commercial for King Uncaged. It's more evidence that T.I. just might be the King of the South.