Consider yourself warned--This album contains explicit content. For curse-less rapping, try Will Smith (C’mon, what did you expect?).

Only a handful of people can say that they’ve been placed under house arrest (hopefully), but even fewer can say that they wrote a number one album by hand while under house arrest. Such is the story of T.I.’s smash hit Paper Trail, his sixth studio album that, with over 550,000 records sold already, has become this infamous southern rapper’s most successful debut and the third biggest debut of 2008 thus far. As stated before, the album title stems from the fact that Paper Trail is the first album T.I. has written by hand since his debut album I’m Serious, and since then--critics will agree--this rapper/songwriter/producer/actor/philanthropist/co-CEO has come a very long way. His inspiration for the album comes from his recent troubles with the law--him being accused with ‘gun charges’ and thus forced into house arrest--and returning back to his roots whilst adding a newer, more complex rhythmic flow. And so far, it’s worked out pretty well.

First off, T.I. broke the record for highest jump to number one on the Billboard 200 with his first official single “Whatever You Like,” making a tremendous leap from #71 to the number one spot, thus making it his most successful single to date. But it didn’t stop there; when his second single “Live Your Life” (featuring none other than Rihanna herself) was released and T.I. broke his own record by making an incredible jump from #80 straight to number one again. The single also went on to break yet another record for a first week digital record, a title previous held by Mariah Carey’s “Touch My Body,” selling 334,000 digital downloads. And if that doesn’t scream success, check out the massive list of superstar musicians he’s got collaborations with on this one album: Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Usher, John Legend, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Ludacris.

And of course, the rave reviews followed. Margeaux Watson of Entertainment Weekly says, "Despite his often earnest lyrics, the radio-friendly party anthems, flirty come-ons, collaborations with A-list pals […], and outstanding production prove this beleaguered bad boy still knows how to have a good time." Rolling Stone, >i>Allmusic, IGN… all with at least a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. And how could you not be content? With a jaw-dropping 18 tracks with an average of at least a four and a half minute runtime, there’s a lot of T.I. to go around--at least until he releases his next breakthrough album. As Shannon Barbour of About.com put it, "Regardless of the outcome of reality, Paper Trail is a solid combination of rhyme, repentance, swagger and substance."

Here’s that huge album listing I was rambling on about, as well as the songs that have created quite a bit of hype amongst fans (myself included);

56 Bars (Intro)--3:04

I’m Illy--4:07

Ready For Whatever--5:12

On Top Of The World ft. Ludicrous & B. o. B.--5:00

Live Your Life ft. Rihanna--5:39

Whatever You Like--4:09

No Matter What--4:41

My Life Your Entertainment ft. Usher--4:56

There’s No Way I’m Getting In Trouble For Putting The Title Of This Song On A School Website--3:31

Swing Ya Rag ft. Swizz Beatz--3:19

What Up, What’s Haapnin--5:01

Every Chance I Get--4:49

Swagga Like Us ft. Jay-Z, Kanye West & Lil Wayne--5:27

Slide Show ft. John Legend--3:42

You Ain’t Missin’ Nothin’--5:10

Dead and Gone ft. Just Timberlake--4:59

Collect Call--4:34

I Know You Missed Me--3:12

It wouldn’t be a complete review without a good music video, now would it? Here’s the official video for “Whatever You Like”

http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=8fGcmEci8wA

If you find a good live video (with no cursing…) please, let us know!