Tuesday December 7, 2010 marked the release of TI’s studio Album titled “No Mercy”
Overall this is a good CD. With all of his legal troubles, TIP made a decision to stay away from the violent lyrics this time around. There does seem to be a heavy emphasis on the strong sexual lyrics. I want to point that out up front. Other than that he seems to be very motivational and self reflecting on this CD. Instead of doing a track by track review I want to focus on the songs that I found inspirational. There were four in particular that I feel can make a significant impact in your daily motivational walk.
I rate each of these songs by the beat, chorus, verses and overall motivational value (using a traditional 1-5 scale).
Track 2 - How Life Changed (feat. Mitchelle’l/Scarface)
Produced by: Lil' C
Beat- 5 Can’t even front, this is a HARD beat. Oh my...
Hook- 5
Verses- 5
This is a feel good song about his days of making it from the struggle. He reflects on how he grew up getting into trouble as a kid in Atlanta. How he came from nothing, and somehow made it to superstar status today. Scarface is perfect over this beat and compliments the track very well.
Overall this song inspires me to go hard despite difficult circumstances. Particularly if you come from a rough background like TIP did. He acknowledges some of the mistakes he made in his younger days and maybe you have made some mistakes but you can change your life. It’s all about choices...
Track 3 - Get Back Up (feat. Chris Brown)
Produced by: The Neptunes
Beat- 5
Hook- 4
Verses- 4
This is a good song for anyone that has made a huge mistake or did something that they really regret. Bad things cause us to reach a low point in life but it’s up to us to make a change or stay down in the dumps. This is a good song about redemption.
The beat is very nice and upbeat. The Neptunes are my favorite producers so I’m biased obviously but the music is good. Chris Brown is a logical choice given the mistakes that he has made. The assumption is that he is genuinely sorry for what he did and is changing his life. Overall this is a nice feel good song that should inspire.
Track 5 - Thats All She Wrote (feat. Eminem)
Produced by: Dr. Luke, Max Martin
Beat- 5
Hook- 5
Verses- 5
Now on the surface you may not find this song motivational but I do. It's probably my favorite song on this CD. First of all the beat is another upbeat/feel good vibe. This song is all about getting rid of the negative people in life that bring you down. I cant roll with people who are just bad people and will do you wrong without thinking twice about it. This happens often in relationships. Eminem highlights this with his classic wordplay in his verses as he gives his attitude on women who are no good. Again, this may seem anti-motivational but if you have ever been done wrong this is a good song to get your swagger back. Some may disagree but hey this song has helped me get through life lately.
Some of my favorite quotes from TI and Em on this song
TI
“You tell lies, get caught, n**** kick rocks
You never did blend in with the big shots
On the fast track, aint no need for no pit stops”EM
“Buy u a bag of fritos I would’nt let u eat the f****** chip on my shoulder.
If you was bleach and I was hair I would’nt die for ya..........
....so why would I buy you a teddy bear b**** you’re already bi-polar” (wow!)
Track 7 - Castle Walls (feat. Christina Aguilera)
Produced by: Alex Da Kid
Beat- 4
Hook- 4
Verses- 4
This is a reflective song about the struggles of trying to chased success and being a good person at the same time. He talks about being a good father verses being a superstar entertainer. These two endeavors sometimes conflict. He speaks of his deep care for his people and at the end he speaks of his vow to put whats most important first despite the effect it could have on his career. Alex Da Kid (he did Eminem’s Love the Way You Lie) laced this beat nice and Christina did her thing on it as well. There’s no way though you cannot feel this song and be inspired by it. There has been some talk that this would be the next single off the CD. If so great choice.
Bonus Track - Follow Your DreamsProduced by: Polow Da Don, Hollywood Hot Sauce (per wikipedia?)
Beat- 5
Hook- 5
Verses- 4
This song can only be found on a special edition of the CD. This is a motivational song all the way. Here he encourages big time. I admit it borderline corny but it works. It works really well. I would say this is probably my 2nd favorite song on here behind Thats All She Wrote. If you’ve ever seen his VH1 Behind the Music special, you recall the story of how TIP started out and how very few believed in him besides his manager. He speaks on his manager in the song.
As someone who is chasing my own dreams I find this song very encouraging and it gives me that extra “juice” I need to go even harder. We have to remember when it comes to fulfilling our destiny it’s not a matter of possibility. ANYTHING is possible. The question is will we work hard enough, do whats necessary, and not give up.
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