Pardon, the L.I.B.R.A

10.16.20

T.I. FT Lil Baby, Pardon

T.I. recently released the track list for his upcoming album The L.I.B.R.A, which will drop this Friday. The track list consists of a list of features that have everyone extremely excited to see The King of the South back in action with other greats in the industry. Lucky for us, T.I. gave us a second early single this morning, titled Pardon, featuring Lil Baby.

Before we get into the track list, or the single, we have to break down the title of the album, The L.I.B.R.A. Libra season is dated from September 22nd to October 22nd, so the album will drop with about a week for the rest of you Libra’s to go act brand new. If you follow T.I. on Instagram, you know he recently had a birthday, September 25th, so he is, in fact, a Libra as well. By the way that L.I.B.R.A is written in the title, you may be wondering if T.I. is just playing off of the way he writes his name, or if this is an acronym. Indeed, T.I. managed to come up with the acronym for The L.I.B.R.A, The Legend is Back Running Atlanta.

Not to get too into horoscopes and astrology, but according to the 2020 overall spirits, the Libra will have a prosperous career with the guidance of others. For love, it is recommended for them to express their true feeling bravely. It just feels right not only that T.I. is dropping an album filled with incredible features, but he has definitely been expressing his feelings about Atlanta rap music being the best there is. His second love, after Tiny, and it seems like home life is going quite well, also.

So the track list. Twenty tracks. Twenty two special guests. Plenty of the artists are from Atlanta. The majority are from the south or have strong ties. The others, are just real rap talents. T.I. is not messing around with any mumble rap grew in my mother’s mansion in the 2000s kids.

The opening track is an intro with Ms. Pat. Ms. Pat is a comedian from Atalanta. She has a great story, so I am assuming the intro will be some sort of sassy, but meaningful storytelling.

Next up, Hit Dogs Holla, featuring Tokyo Jetz. Jetz is from Jacksonville Florida, and is one of the main ladies from T.I.’s label, Grand Hustle. Her energy and delivery is crazy, and by the title of the song, I am sure this track will live up to that. I hope she is next up on this ladies-in-hip-hop empowerment train.

Track three is Ring, featuring Young Thug, This is the first single that was released a few weeks back, along with a music video. Thug is from Atlanta, and though he has not been around quite as long as T.I., they have had many years to make great music together, and arguably both changed hip-hop in Atlanta during their peak times.

Pardon, featuring Lil Baby is track four. I have honestly been waiting for a big song with these two. Lil Baby is definitely the new wave of Atlanta, and T.I. is certainly the King of the South. They have had a couple of random features with other artists over the years, but I have been waiting to hear what these two together on a hit single would sound like. I truly believe, that on this track, T.I. was the best 2020 version of himself. Interestingly enough, when T.I. sang the chorus, I was getting Young Thug vibes through his sound and delivery. All this shows, is that T.I. has studied the way that hip-hop in Atlanta, and just in general, has been evolving, what is working, and has tailored his approach to executing it in the best way. His verses remained true to his sound, and the beat was like some old-school 1017, mixed with violins and keys. With Hitmaka on the beat, he managed to alter the beat slightly for Lil Baby to be more aligned with his style. But he only did this by heaving up the keys and toning down the violins. Baby had one decently long verse and played off the ‘beg your pardon’ theme quite well. Even though this is the second single off of the album, this is absolutely the single to really set this thing off right. Loved it, will be on repeat for quite some time.

Most anticipated for me is track five. On The Hood featuring 42 Dugg and Mozzy. 42 Dugg is from Detroit, but as a member of CMG he splits his time between there and Atlanta. 42 Dugg is completely an honorary member of ATL, and is the hottest new trend in hip-hop with his super interesting and unique sound but real, genuine, raw lyrics and stories. The same can be said for Mozzy. Mozzy is from Sacramento, California. I say he is the most underrated artist in hip-hop. He is in his thirties, and has been around for a minute. Since he has been solo with his own label his entire life, I do not think he gets the love he deserves. However, this trio, expect something raw, real, and absolutely incredible. I cannot wait.

Jeremih and Snoop Dogg hop on track six for Moon Juice. My mind instantly goes to Gin and Juice and I am just thinking some old-school, smooth, singing and cruising vibes. An instant classic in the works.

Track seven is an interlude with Rapsody. Rapsody is actually from North Carolina, but I am in love with her being here. She is the sweetest sole and a woman in hip-hop who deserves so much more love. Her talent is ridiculous but above all else, it is real. I am excited to hear her story on this interlude.

Rahky is a female artist features on track eight, Hypno. I do to know too much about her besides that song she was on for a hot second with G-Eazy and Dream Doll. Loved that song, but we’ll see what she can do paired up with the King.

London Jae has written songs for Tokyo Jetz and members of T.I.’s label. He is listed on track nine, along with Conway. Conway is one member of the legendary Buffalo trio, Griselda. All members of Griselda hold their own, their raw in delivery and content, and they are exactly what hip-hop has been missing. I am so excited to hear him on this track, and it will be interesting to see how London fits in with these two, where we mostly know him for writing.

Track ten. Respect the Code. Rick Ross. From Atlanta to Miami, these two are mentoring the South, and truly hip-hop around the country. When Rick Ross did the Verzuz battle with 2 Chainz, it was the best night of quarantine for me. Still, I was like I need T.I. to come battle 50 Cent, or even Rick Ross because he said he was not quite done. Honestly, two of my favorites right here. Cannot wait.

Track eleven is a solo track, which, I am glad there are a few. T.I. will have some time to talk, preach, and do his thing. Track twelve features Doman, who is a male rapper and producer. I do not know too much about him, but T.I. seems to find some greats hidden in the mud.

Track thirteen is Make Amends, featuring Jadakiss and Benny the Butcher. Benny is the third member of Griselda, Jada is a member of the Lox. Both are extremely well respected and widely recognized on their own, and bring the old-school, raw, hip-hop delivery heavily each and every time they hop on the mic. This one will be top five, maybe top three, no doubt.

Tracks fourteen and fifteen have features with artists that I believe will be more singing and serious. A classic to each T.I. album. I am sure he has a lot to say with everything that is going on in the world, and will remind us what is important. Track sixteen is another solo track.

Track seventeen, How I Feel, features Eric Bellinger and Killer Mike. Bellinger is from California, but Killer Mike is from Atlanta. All of these guys have huge presence and voices speaking to the youth and grassroots communities about the justice systems, or anything that is going on in the world, in hopes to protect their people in their cities. I think this song will be hard, but deep, and super important. Into this trio right here.

John Legend comes through on track eighteen, We Did It Big. We all know John is going to sing the chorus, but he has done so many hits with hip-hop artists, this is down to be several great rap verses from T.I., that you can then sing along to when John comes in for the chorus.

21 Savage is the final feature, on track nineteen, titled, Thank God. 21 Savage lives in Atlanta, but we all know he is from the United Kingdom. Still, he is nothing less than ATL to the rest of hip-hop. With this title, he could be thanking God for allowing him to remain in the position he is today. Or, they could go savage mode on us and be talking about something crazy, I guess we will have to wait and see.

The last track is a solo track called Deyjah’s Conclusion. Deyjah is the name of one of T.I.’s daughters. They had a bit of an awkward public moment, but seemed to have cleared things up now. I wonder if she will speak on this, or if he may speak on the public matter. Either way, T.I. is closing out his album, in honor of his family.

This track list is insane. I love the new Lil Baby song. I cannot wait for tomorrow at midnight, so I can jam to the rest of it. I am hoping, this album can go on repeat for the remainder of 2020.