Us or Else: Letter to the System
{{use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Us or Else: Letter to the System
| type = compilation
| artist = T.I.
| cover = T.I-Us_Or_Else-Letter_To_The_System-2016-.jpg
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2016|12|16}}
| recorded = 2016
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Political hip hop
| length = 57:01
| label = {{hlist|Grand Hustle|Roc Nation}}
| producer = {{hlist|Brandon Rossi|Deputy|KD|Lil' C|Mars|Mike & Keys|MP808|Nottz|Shantiseng|Steven Franks|TBHits|The Pusha Beats|The Digital Natives|The-Dream|Trev Case}}
| prev_title = Us or Else
| prev_year = 2016
| next_title = Dime Trap
| next_year = 2018
}}
Us or Else: Letter to the System is a compilation album by the American rapper T.I..{{cite web |url-status=live |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/gr0y26dveAw |archive-date = 2021-12-11 |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr0y26dveAw |title = T.I. Talks New Album 'Dime Trap', Curating Trap Music, The Dangers Of A Big Celebrity + More |website=YouTube|date = October 4, 2018 }} It was independently{{cite web|last=Eustice |first=Kyle |url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.41698/title.t-i-beefs-up-us-or-else-ep-delivers-us-or-else-letter-to-the-system# |title=T.I. Releases 15-Track "Us Or Else: Letter To The System" To TIDAL |website=HipHopDX |date=2016-12-16 |access-date=2017-03-05}} released on December 16, 2016, by Grand Hustle Records and Roc Nation. The project, which was initially issued as a Tidal exclusive,{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2016/12/16/ti-us-or-else-letter-to-the-system-album-stream/ |title=Stream T.I.'s Album 'Us or Else: Letter to the System' |publisher=Rap-Up |date=2016-12-16 |access-date=2017-03-05}}
- {{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/2016/12/t-i-us-or-else-lp-tidal/ |title=T.I Extends His Letter To The System With 'Us Or Else' LP |website=Vibe |date=2016-12-16 |access-date=2017-03-05}} is an extended version of his EP, simply titled Us or Else (2016).
The project features an array of artists, including Hustle Gang affiliates Quavo, Meek Mill, Ra Ra, Gizzle, Tokyo Jetz, B.o.B, London Jae, Big K.R.I.T., Killer Mike and Charlie Wilson. The project's production was by The Digital Natives, The-Dream, Lil' C, Mars, Mike & Keys, MP808, Nottz, TBHits, Trev Case and others.
Background
{{Quote box
| quote = You know Common and Outkast and Public Enemy and KRS-One and Lupe [Fiasco] and Kendrick [Lamar] -- those are the ones. I am just the supporting cast in this particular genre. I felt like more people who stand in my position should be saying something. It seems like the people who have the broad audiences... I guess for protection of their own success or legacy or brand, they chose not to say anything, and that it was I felt I didn't want to do. |source=NBC News{{cite web|last=Howard |first=Adam |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/rapper-t-i-presents-counterpoint-all-lives-matter-crowd-n648326 |title=Rapper T.I. Presents Counterpoint to 'All Lives Matter' Crowd |date=15 September 2016 |website=NBC News |access-date=2016-11-18}}
| bgcolor = #FFFFF0
| salign = center
| align = left
| width = 30%
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| fontsize = 90%
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On February 22, 2016, T.I. announced that he had signed a distribution deal with Jay Z's Roc Nation company. He also revealed that he was one of the new co-owners of the online streaming service, Tidal.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/6882917/ti-signs-roc-nation-owner-tidal |title=T.I. Signs Distribution Deal With Roc Nation, Becomes Latest Co-Owner of Tidal |magazine=Billboard}}
- [http://www.thestate.com/entertainment/celebrities/article61914187.html ]{{dead link|date=March 2017}} On July 22, 2016, during an interview with Ebro in the Morning on Hot 97, he announced an EP, titled Us or Else.{{cite news |url=https://www.bet.com/article/euvo35/t-i-is-releasing-a-blacklivesmatter-project |title=T.I. Is Releasing an Entire Project Dedicated to #BlackLivesMatter |first=Paul |last=Meara |date=July 22, 2016 |website=BET |access-date=2016-11-18}} The EP was said to "be aimed at supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, and will speak explicitly about the twisted road race relations took in America to arrive at its current precarious state."[http://www.watchloud.com/2016/07/22/t-will-releasing-mixtape-dedicated-black-lives-matter/ ]{{dead link|date=November 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://thesource.com/2016/07/22/t-i-announces-new-mixtape-us-or-else-aimed-at-supporting-the-blacklivesmatter-movement/ |title=T.I. Announces New Mixtape, 'Us or Else,' Aimed at Supporting the #BlackLivesMatter Movement |author=Khari |date=22 July 2016 |website=The Source |access-date=2016-11-18}} The EP was also a response to the turmoil caused by the injustices going on in America, namely police brutality following the deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling.{{cite news |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2016/08/ti-we-will-not-premiere |title=T.I. Takes a Stand for Justice in New Video for "We Will Not" |first=Edwin |last=Ortiz |date=August 19, 2016 |website=Complex |access-date=2016-11-18}} The EP was released for streaming on September 23, 2016, by Tidal, and released to other markets on September 30.{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/us-or-else-ep/1157803532 |title=Us Or Else - EP by T.I. |website=Itunes |date=30 September 2016 |access-date=2017-03-05}} On December 16, 2016, without prior announcement or promotion,{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/ti-releases-surprise-album-us-or-else-letter-to-the-system-as-tidal-exclusive-news.26415.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217120820/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/ti-releases-surprise-album-us-or-else-letter-to-the-system-as-tidal-exclusive-news.26415.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 17, 2016 |title=T.I. Releases Surprise Album "Us or Else: Letter To The System" As TIDAL Exclusive |website=Hotnewhiphop |date=16 December 2016 |access-date=2017-03-05}} T.I. released Us or Else: Letter to the System.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ti-drops-surprise-lp-us-or-else-letter-to-the-system-w456587 |title=T.I. Drops Surprise New LP 'Us or Else: Letter to the System' |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=17 December 2016 |access-date=2017-03-05}}
Critical reception
{{Album ratings
| MC =
| rev1 = HipHopDX
| rev2 = Pitchfork
| rev3 = Spinditty
| rev4 = Vice (Expert Witness)
| rev4Score = (A-){{cite web |url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/with-rtj3-run-the-jewels-are-funnier-hookier-brainier-and-more-political |title=With 'RTJ3,' Run the Jewels Are Funnier, Hookier, Brainier, and More Political |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |website=Noisey |date=13 January 2017 |publisher=Vice Media Group |publication-date=2017-01-13 }}
}}
The compilation received generally positive reviews from music critics and fans alike. Da'Shan Smith of Pitchfork wrote, "The bevy of showcasing guest appearances — from Jacksonville-based Tokyo Jetz's annihilating turn on "Lazy" to fellow Atlantian London Jae's raspy flow on the backwoods baptism of "Pain" — embody two core principles of BLM: community and the advancement of future generations. With his generosity, the self-proclaimed "Grand Hustler" is repositioning himself in the vein of someone like Dr. Dre, who in 2015 introduced the wider world to Anderson .Paak on Compton." Aaron McKrell of HipHopDX wrote, "Us or Else: Letter to the System equates in not only one of the year's strongest full-length projects but in Tip's discography as well. It's a suitable blend of his personal views to package aware commentary of our turbulent times in the United States in 2016."
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Standard edition
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 57:01
| title1 = I Believe
| writer1 = {{hlist|Clifford Harris Jr.|Dominick Lamb}}
| extra1 = Nottz
| length1 = 3:44
| title2 = Ah No No
| note2 = featuring Translee
| writer2 = {{hlist|Harris Jr.|Kevin Davis|Translee Macklin}}
| extra2 =BeatsxKD
| length2 = 3:57
| title3 = Black Man
| note3 = featuring Quavo, Meek Mill and Ra Ra
| writer3 = {{hlist|Harris Jr.|Quavious Marshall|Robert Williams|Cordale Quinn|Terrell McNeal|Lamar Edwards|Brandon Rossi|Rodriguez Smith}}
| extra3 = {{hlist|Lil' C|MP808|Mars|Rossi}}
| length3 = 4:42
| title4 = Lazy
| note4 = featuring Gizzle, Tokyo Jetz, Ra Ra and London Jae
| writer4 = {{hlist|Harris Jr.|Glenda Proby|Shauntrell Pender|Smith|Jacquez Lowe|Quinn}}
| extra4 = {{hlist|Lil' C|Shantiseng{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/OnSMASH_updates/status/815300468985438208 |title=New Music: @RoryFresco "Lazy" (feat. @BxtchImGizzle) |publisher=Onsmash |website=Twitter |access-date=July 19, 2017}}}}
| length4 = 4:41
| title5 = Warzone
| writer5 = {{hlist|Harris Jr.|Michael Cox Jr.|John Groover Jr.|Edwards}}
| extra5 = {{hlist|Mike & Keys|Mars}}
| length5 = 3:52
| title6 = Writer
| note6 = featuring Translee and B.o.B
| writer6 = {{hlist|Harris Jr.|Macklin|Bobby Ray Simmons Jr.}}
| extra6 = The Digital Natives
| length6 = 4:06
| title7 = Letter to the System
| note7 = featuring London Jae and Translee
| writer7 = {{hlist|Harris Jr.|Lowe|Macklin}}
| extra7 = The Digital Natives
| length7 = 2:48
| title8 = We Will Not
| writer8 = {{hlist|Harris Jr.|Cox Jr.|Groover Jr.|Edwards}}
| extra8 = {{hlist|Mike & Keys|Mars}}
| length8 = 2:38
| title9 = Pain
| note9 = featuring London Jae
| writer9 = {{hlist|Harris Jr.|Lowe|Lamb}}
| extra9 = Nottz
| length9 = 4:06
| title10 = Switchin' Lanes
| note10 = featuring Big K.R.I.T. and Trev Case
| writer10 = {{hlist|Harris Jr.|Justin Scott|Trevor Case|Derek Blythe}}
| extra10 = Trev Case
| length10 = 4:10
| title11 = Picture Me Mobbin'
| note11 = featuring The-Dream
| writer11 = {{hlist|Harris Jr.|Terius Nash}}
| extra11 = The-Dream
| length11 = 3:42
| title12 = 40 Acres
| note12 = featuring Killer Mike and B. Rossi
| writer12 = {{hlist|Harris Jr.|Michael Render|Rossi|Jamil Pierre}}
| extra12 = {{hlist|Deputy}}
| length12 = 3:52
| title13 = I Swear
| writer13 = {{hlist|Harris Jr.|Arthur Ross|Leon Ware}}
| extra13 = The Pusha Beats
| length13 = 3:03
| title14 = Here We Go / Don't Fall for That
| note14 = featuring Charlie Wilson
| writer14 = {{hlist|Harris Jr.|Mitchelle'l Sium|Charlie Wilson|Quinn}}
| extra14 = Lil' C
| length14 = 3:57
| title15 = Take da Wheel
| writer15 = {{hlist|Harris Jr.|Tommy Brown|Steven Franks}}
| extra15 = {{hlist|TBHits|Franks}}
| length15 = 3:42
}}
Personnel
Credits for Us or Else: Letter to the System adapted from AllMusic.{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/passion-pain-demon-slayin-mw0003006107/credits |title=Us or Else: Letter to the System – T.I. |website=AllMusic |access-date=January 10, 2017}}
{{div col}}
- Big K.R.I.T. – featured artist
- Derek Blythe – composer
- B.o.B – featured artist
- Trev Case – featured artist
- Trevor Case – composer
- Michael Cox – composer
- The-Dream – featured artist
- Lamar Edwards – composer
- John Groover – composer
- Clifford Harris – composer
- London Jae – featured artist
- Tokyo Jetz – featured artist
- Killer Mike – featured artist
- Gizzle – featured artist
- Jacquez Lowe – composer
- Translee Macklin – composer
- Quavious Marshall – composer
- Meek Mill – featured artist
- Terius Nash – composer
- Shauntrell Pender – composer
- Glenda Proby – composer
- Quavo – featured artist
- Ra Ra – featured artist
- Michael Render – composer
- Arthur Ross – composer
- B Rossi – featured artist
- Brandon Rossi – composer
- Justin Scott – composer
- Bobby Simmons – composer
- Mitchelle'l Sium – composer
- Rodriqueiz Smith – composer
- T.I. – primary artist
- Jayceon Taylor – composer
- Translee – featured artist
- Leon Ware – composer
- Robert Williams – composer
- Charlie Wilson – composer, featured artist
{{div col end}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2016)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|39|artist=T.I.|rowheader=true|access-date=January 11, 2017}} |
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of release dates, formats, label, and reference |
| scope="col" | Region
! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Format ! scope="col" | Label ! scope="col" | {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |
|---|
| rowspan="2"| Various
| December 16, 2016 | rowspan="2"| {{hlist|Grand Hustle|Roc Nation}} | style="text-align:center;"| {{cite magazine|first=Allison |last=Hazel |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7625419/ti-us-or-else-letter-to-the-system |title=T.I. Releases New Album 'Us or Else: Letter to the System' |magazine=Billboard |date=2016-12-16 |access-date=2017-03-05}} |
| December 23, 2016
| {{hlist|Streaming|Digital download}} | style="text-align:center;"| {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/us-or-else-letter-to-the-system/1187105662 |title=Us or Else: Letter to the System by T.I. on Apple Music |website=Itunes |date=2016-12-23 |access-date=2017-03-05}} |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{URL|http://trapmuzik.com}}
{{T.I.}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Roc Nation compilation albums
Category:Grand Hustle Records compilation albums
Category:Albums produced by The-Dream
Category:Albums produced by Lil' C (record producer)
Category:Albums produced by Mars (record producer)
Category:Albums produced by Nottz
Category:Political hip-hop albums
Category:Songs about racism and xenophobia