T.I. News

What's a rapper to do for an encore once he's already declared himself King of the South — and proved it?

The not-so easy route would be to drop another hit-heavy set like last year's "King" which featured scintillating synth-heavy bangers, including the DJ Toomp-produced "What You Know."

Instead on his fifth disc, "T.I. vs. T.I.P.," the Atlanta MC attempts the melodramatic, but to mostly underwhelming results. Over the course of three acts, he pits his competing personas — T.I. the materialistic rapper, and T.I.P the ornery gangsta — against each other. However, the distinction seems artificial at best. This disc essentially unfolds like past T.I. efforts: catchy hooks, his familiar slick boasts (but with fewer memorable punch lines) and high-gloss production.

The first act's thuggery supplies the disc's most compelling moments, with tracks such as the Wyclef Jean-produced "You Know What Is" and the sweeping "Watch What You Say to Me" featuring Jay-Z, which showcases T.I.'s tight-jawed threats. "Find out you talkin' tough in your song/when you see me you know whats up boy it's on."

The second act's bluster about cars, girls, and wealth — the highlights being "My Swag" and "Show It To Me" _are retread boastfests and stripper anthems, respectively. Meanwhile, T.I. saves the final act for a climatic face-off, but by this point it's clear that high drama is nothing but window-dressing.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: "Watch What You Say to Me" is an expert collaboration with a long-retired Jay-Z about how rival rappers should still be very, very afraid.