:Trap Muzik

Due to the poor commercial reception of his debut album I'm Serious (2001), T.I. asked for a joint venture deal with Arista Records or to be released from his contract; he was subsequently dropped from Arista. He then formed his own record label,[http://www.smashitsusa.com/index.cfm?Page=Audio&SubPage=ArtistDetails&ArtistID=1762 Artist Details: T.I.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213025920/http://www.smashitsusa.com/index.cfm?Page=Audio&SubPage=ArtistDetails&ArtistID=1762 |date=December 13, 2007 }} Accessed December 22, 2007. Grand Hustle Records, with his longtime business partner Jason Geter, and began releasing mixtapes with the assistance of one of his disc jockeys, DJ Drama. T.I.'s mixtapes eventually earned attention from record labels such as Warner Bros. Records, Universal Records, Epic Records, and Columbia Records. T.I. ultimately signed a joint venture deal with Atlantic Records that year.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/12/arts/music/12ti.htm|title=The Enterprising Rapper T. I. Looks Beyond Hip-Hop|last=Ogunnaike|first=Lola|date=April 12, 2006|work=The New York Times|pages=1, 2|access-date=February 19, 2009}}

In an interview with Stereogum, he explained that "It's called trap music, so you know it's gonna be dealing with all aspects of the trap. And if you don't know what the trap is, that's basically where drugs are sold. In this country, the majority of us live in a neighborhood where drugs are sold, whether we like it or not. Whether you in the trap selling dope, whether you in the trap buying dope, whether you in the trap trying to get out – whatever the case may be, I'm trying to deal with all aspects of that lifestyle."{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1115091/from-t-i-to-tnght-a-look-at-trap-rave/top-stories/|title=From T.I. To TNGHT: A Look At Trap Rave|last=Patel|first=Puja|date=August 6, 2012|website=Stereogum.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519085103/http://www.stereogum.com/1115091/from-t-i-to-tnght-a-look-at-trap-rave/top-stories/|archive-date=May 19, 2015|url-status=live}} Speaking on the album, T.I. explained, "It's informative for people who don't know nothing about that side of life and wonder why somebody they know that live on that side of life act the way they do or do the things they do. So it's informative for them and maybe it can help them deal with these people, help them relate to these people, help them understand, help them to see their point of view a little better".{{cite web|url=http://www.rapindustry.com/T_I.htm|title=T.I. TRAP MUZIK – PROMOTIONAL FEATURE – RAPINDUSTRY.COM|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924084718/http://www.rapindustry.com/T_I.htm|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=dead}}

T.I. also said that his second album showed a different insight to the first. "It's another outlook on the trap. Before, trappin' was cool, but now trappin' ain't cool. It's necessary for some, but no, it ain't cool – even if you a hustler. All the hustlers I know – sellin' dope is the last thing they wanna do. If you a real hustler, you gon' move on to bigger and better things."

Producers for the album include DJ Toomp, Benny "Dada" Tillman, Carlos "Los Vegas" Thornton, David Banner, Jazze Pha, Kanye West, Nick Fury, San "Chez" Holmes and Ryan "LiquidSound" Katz.

"24's" was the first official single to be released from Trap Muzik. It entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 78, it charted at number 27 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and at number 15 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart.{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p483720/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}}|title="24's" > Charts & Awards> Billboard Singles|website=Allmusic |access-date=March 12, 2012}} "Be Easy" was the second official single from the album, peaking at number 55 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p483720/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}} T.I.], Allmusic. Retrieved August 4, 2008 The single was produced by DJ Toomp.

"Rubber Band Man" was the third official single. It charted reasonably well, peaking at number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=arcadia|chart=all}}|title=Artist Chart History – T.I.|access-date=April 16, 2007|magazine=Billboard}} It charted at number 15 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and at number 11 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. David Banner's production was noted by music reviewers,{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/track_review/29566-rubber-band-man|title=T.I.: "Rubber Band Man" [Track Review]|access-date=April 16, 2007|website=Pitchfork |year=2004|author=Rollie Pemberton|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224125656/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/track_review/29566-rubber-band-man|archive-date=December 24, 2007}}{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=song|id=t6476042|pure_url=yes}}|title=Ruberband Man review|access-date=February 21, 2009|website=Allmusic|year=2004|author=Andy Kellman}} particularly the ascending organ riff that has been described as "hypnotic" and "pure halftime show".{{cite web|url=http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/cds/T/TI/Trap-Muzik/652|title=T.I. Trap Muzik|access-date=April 16, 2007|work=Prefix |year=2003|author=Dominic Umile|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070619045010/http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/cds/T/ti/trap-muzik/652|archive-date=June 19, 2007|url-status=live}}
- {{cite web|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=3159|title=Various Artists: Fat Joe, Fabolous, T.I., Juvenile, Trick Daddy|access-date=April 16, 2007|work=Blender|year=2004|author=Jonah Weiner|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070409142020/http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=3159|archive-date=April 9, 2007}} The song is included in the hits collections Totally Hits 2004,{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Totally-Hits-2004-Various-Artists/dp/B0001IW2VG|title=Totally hits 2004, Volume 1|access-date=April 16, 2007|publisher=Amazon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428092501/http://www.amazon.com/Totally-Hits-2004-Various-Artists/dp/B0001IW2VG|archive-date=April 28, 2007|url-status=live}} Crunk Hits Volume 1,{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Crunk-Hits-Various-Artists/dp/B000BDGVS6|title=Crunk Hits|access-date=April 16, 2007|publisher=Amazon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070329180957/http://www.amazon.com/Crunk-Hits-Various-Artists/dp/B000BDGVS6|archive-date=March 29, 2007|url-status=live}} and Hip Hop Hits Volume 9.{{cite web|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6797540/a/Source+Presents+Hip+Hop+Hits+Vol.+9.htm|title=Various Artists Source Presents Hip Hop Hits Vol. 9 CD|access-date=April 16, 2007|publisher=CD Universe|year=2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123093819/http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6797540/a/Source+Presents+Hip+Hop+Hits+Vol.+9.htm|archive-date=November 23, 2007|url-status=live}} T.I. says the song's title is a reference to his habit of wearing rubber bands around his wrist, a habit that dates back to when he was a drug dealer.{{cite web|url=http://www.thesituation.co.uk/us_interviews/05/ti/ti.html|title=T.I.|access-date=April 16, 2007|work=The Situation|author=Nooreen Kara|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070329054656/http://www.thesituation.co.uk/us_interviews/05/ti/ti.html|archive-date=March 29, 2007}} Publicity efforts for the single were derailed by T.I.'s arrest in August 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486501/04212004/t_i_.jhtml|title='Rubber Band Man' Rapper T.I. Gets Three Years In Prison|access-date=April 16, 2007|website=MTV|year=2004|author=Joseph Patel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926211016/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486501/04212004/t_i_.jhtml|archive-date=September 26, 2009|url-status=dead}}

"Let's Get Away" was the fourth and final official single from the album. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 35, it charted at number 17 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, at number ten on the Hot Rap Songs chart, and at number 16 on the Rhythmic Top 40.

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/trap-muzik-mw0000321997|title=Trap Muzik – T.I.|website=AllMusic|access-date=June 18, 2019|last=Kellman|first=Andy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618113253/https://www.allmusic.com/album/trap-muzik-mw0000321997|archive-date=June 18, 2019|url-status=live}}

| rev2 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev2Score = B−

| rev3 = HipHopDX

| rev3Score = 3.0/5{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.326/title.t-i-trap-muzik#|title=T.I. – Trap Muzik|work=HipHopDX|date=October 10, 2003|access-date=June 18, 2019|last=Tindal|first=K. B.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618113256/https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.326/title.t-i-trap-muzik|archive-date=June 18, 2019|url-status=live}}

| rev4 = Pitchfork

| rev4Score = 8.7/10{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/ti-trap-muzik/|title=T.I.: Trap Muzik|work=Pitchfork|date=September 9, 2018|access-date=December 19, 2018|last=Kearse|first=Stephen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219182135/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/ti-trap-muzik/|archive-date=December 19, 2018|url-status=live}}

| rev5 = Rolling Stone

| rev5Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|title=T.I.: Trap Muzik|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/cd/review.asp?aid=2047432|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040222053820/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/cd/review.asp?aid=2047432|archive-date=February 22, 2004|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 19, 2004|issue=942|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|author-link=Jon Caramanica|page=67|access-date=March 8, 2024}}

| rev6 = The Source

| rev6Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Harris|first=Michael "Ice-Blue"|date=October 2003|issue=169|title=Record Report: T.I. – Trap Muzik|magazine=The Source|page=}}

| rev7 = Vibe

| rev7Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine|url=http://vibe.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=89|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031129235055/http://vibe.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=89|archive-date=November 29, 2003|title=Revolutions: T.I. – Trap Muzik|journal=Vibe|volume=11|issue=10|date=October 2003|access-date=March 8, 2024|last=Lemon|first=Damien|page=182}}

}}

Trap Muzik was well received. The AllMusic editor, Andy Kellman, wrote that with Trap Muzik, the "promise T.I. showed on his flawed debut is almost fully realized". Vibe{{'}}s Damien Lemon found that the album's best tracks showcase T.I. rapping unaccompanied, citing "Be Easy" and "T.I. vs. T.I.P." as highlights. Jon Caramanica of Rolling Stone described T.I. as "a hustler with a conscience and a heart" and a "limber linguist... at his best when he's dissecting the minutiae of the game." Raymond Fiore of Entertainment Weekly was more critical, finding his flow and lyrics to be ordinary except on tracks where he "breaks from his static Southern comfort zone".{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/08/22/trap-muzik/|title=Trap Muzik|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=August 22, 2003|access-date=June 18, 2019|last=Fiore|first=Raymond|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526021142/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,476520,00.html|archive-date=May 26, 2013|url-status=live|page=133}}

In 2010, Rhapsody included Trap Muzik in its guide to "coke rap" albums.{{cite web|url=http://blog.rhapsody.com/2010/07/cokerap.html|title=The As, Bs and Kilos of Coke Rap|website=Rhapsody|date=July 20, 2010|access-date=July 26, 2010|last=Reeves|first=Mosi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831203023/http://blog.rhapsody.com/2010/07/cokerap.html|archive-date=August 31, 2012}}

Trap Muzik was a commercial success. It debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 and number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, selling 110,000 copies on its first week.{{cite web | first = Katie | last = Hasty | title = T.I. Rules As 'King' Of Album Chart | url = http://top40-charts.com/artists/biography.php?aid=4118&string=Rubber%20Band% | access-date = August 16, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090122050143/http://top40-charts.com/artists/biography.php?aid=4118&string=Rubber%20Band% | archive-date = January 22, 2009 | url-status = live }} On June 1, 2007, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for sales of over a million copies in the United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=t.+i.+&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=RIAA Certifications – T.I.|publisher=RIAA|access-date=May 20, 2020}}

{{track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Trap Muzik

| note1 = featuring Mac Boney

| writer1 = {{hlist|Clifford Harris|Aldrin Davis|Sanchez Holmes|Nathaniel Josey}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|T.I.P.|San "Chez" Holmes {{small|(co.)}}|DJ Toomp {{small|(co.)}}}}

| length1 = 4:00

| title2 = I Can't Quit

| writer2 = {{hlist|Harris|Benny Tillman|Carlos Thornton}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|Benny "Dada" Tillman|Carlos "Los Vegas" Thornton}}

| length2 = 4:17

| title3 = Be Easy

| writer3 = {{hlist|Harris|Davis|Gary St. Clair|Timothy O'Brien}}

| extra3 = DJ Toomp

| length3 = 3:18

| title4 = No More Talk

| writer4 = {{hlist|Harris|Holmes|Gary Wright}}

| extra4 = San "Chez" Holmes

| length4 = 3:53

| title5 = Doin' My Job

| writer5 = {{hlist|Harris|Kanye West|Michael Smith}}

| extra5 = Kanye West

| length5 = 4:13

| title6 = Let's Get Away

| note6 = featuring Jazze Pha

| writer6 = {{hlist|Harris|Phalon Alexander|Aretha Franklin}}

| extra6 = Jazze Pha

| length6 = 4:37

| title7 = 24's

| writer7 = {{hlist|Harris|Davis}}

| extra7 = DJ Toomp

| length7 = 4:42

| title8 = Rubber Band Man

| writer8 = {{hlist|Harris|Lavell Crump}}

| extra8 = David Banner

| length8 = 5:47

| title9 = Look What I Got

| writer9 = {{hlist|Harris|Davis}}

| extra9 = DJ Toomp

| length9 = 3:05

| title10 = I Still Luv You

| writer10 = {{hlist|Harris|Nick "Fury" Loftin|Victor Carstarphen|Gene McFadden|John Whitehead}}

| extra10 = Nick Fury

| length10 = 4:58

| title11 = Let Me Tell You Something

| writer11 = {{hlist|Harris|West|Roger Troutman}}

| extra11 = Kanye West

| length11 = 3:40

| title12 = T.I. vs. T.I.P.

| writer12 = Harris

| extra12 = T.I.P.

| length12 = 3:52

| title13 = Bezzle

| note13 = featuring 8Ball & MJG & Bun B

| writer13 = {{hlist|Harris|Premro Smith|Marlon Goodwin|Bernard Freeman}}

| extra13 = DJ Toomp

| length13 = 4:54

| title14 = Kingofdasouth

| writer14 = {{hlist|Harris|Holmes}}

| extra14 = San "Chez" Holmes

| length14 = 5:00

| title15 = Be Better Than Me

| writer15 = {{hlist|Harris|Andre Lyon|Marcello Valenzano}}

| extra15 = Cool & Dre

| length15 = 5:00

| title16 = Long Live da Game

| writer16 = {{hlist|Harris|Holmes}}

| extra16 = San "Chez" Holmes

| length16 = 2:14

}}

Sample credits{{cite AV media notes|title= Trap Muzik |year= 2003 |type= booklet |publisher= Atlantic, Grand Hustle}}

• "Be Easy" contains samples of "Somebody To Love", written by Gary St. Clair and Timothy O'Brien, and performed by Al Wilson.
• "No More Talk" contains samples of "Can't Find The Judge", written and performed by Gary Wright.
• "Doin' My Job" contains samples of "I'm Just Doing My Job", written by Michael Smith, and performed by Bloodstone.
• "Let's Get Away" contains samples of "Day Dreaming", written and performed by Aretha Franklin.
• "I Still Luv You" contains excerpts from "She Only A Woman", written by Victor Carstarphen, Gene McFadden, and John Whitehead, and performed by The O'Jays.
• "Let Me Tell You Something" contains excerpts from "I Want to Be Your Man", written by Roger Troutman.

Credits for Trap Muzik adapted from Allmusic.[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=trap-muzik-r653986/credits|pure_url=yes}} Credits: Trap Muzik]. Allmusic. Retrieved December 8, 2010.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Bosko – talk box
• Leslie Brathwaite – mixing
• Mike Caren – A&R, editing
• Lavell Crump – producer
• Mike Davis – assistant engineer
• Christina Dittmar – art direction
• DJ Toomp – executive producer, producer
• Cool & Dre – producer
• Steve Fisher – engineer, mixing assistant
• Fury – producer
• Brian Gardner – mastering
• Jason Geter – executive producer, management
• Mark "Exit" Goodchild – engineer
• Vance Hornbuckle – assistant engineer
• Jazze Pha – producer, Vocals
• Kevin Knight – photography
• James Lopez – marketing
• Craig Love – guitar
• Mac Boney – performer

{{col-2}}

• Manny Marraquin – mixing
• Chris Morris – artist co-ordination
• Benjamin Niles – art direction, design
• Charles Pettaway – bass guitar, guitar
• Dale Ramsey – mixing
• Dale "Rambro" Ramsey – mixing
• Daniel Romero – mixing
• T.I. – executive producer
• Guion Thomas – assistant engineer
• Ryan Katz – producer
• Carlos Thornton – producer
• Benny Tillman – producer
• Kanye West – producer
• Howard White – assistant engineer
• Cory Williams – engineer, mixing assistant
• Crystal Williams – mixing assistant
• Mike "Hitman" Wilson – engineer
• Michael Witwer – guitar

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=T.I.|title=Trap Muzik|award=Platinum|relyear=2003|certyear=2007}}

{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}

{{Reflist}}

• Rebecca Haithcoat, [http://www.laweekly.com/music/what-the-hell-is-trap-music-and-why-is-dubstep-involved-2408170 "What the Hell Is Trap Music (and Why Is Dubstep Involved)?"], Los Angeles Weekly, October 4, 2012
• [http://www.discogs.com/TI-Trap-Muzik/master/52076 Trap Muzik] at Discogs
• [http://www.complex.com/music/2013/08/the-making-of-ti-trap-muzik/ The Making of T.I.'s "Trap Muzik"]

{{T.I.}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2003 albums

Category:Albums produced by Cool & Dre

Category:Albums produced by DJ Toomp

Category:Albums produced by David Banner

Category:Albums produced by Jazze Pha

Category:Albums produced by Kanye West

Category:T.I. albums

Category:Atlantic Records albums

Category:Grand Hustle Records albums

Category:Albums produced by Nick "Fury" Loftin