Da' Nic

Da' Nic
EP by
TIP
ReleasedSeptember 11, 2015 (2015-09-11)
GenreHip hop
Length19:31
Label
Producer
TIP chronology
Paperwork
(2014) 		Da' Nic
(2015) 		Us or Else
(2016)
Singles from Da' Nic
  1. "Project Steps"
    Released: March 11, 2015
  2. "Check, Run It"
    Released: September 4, 2015

Da' Nic is the third extended play (EP) by American rapper TIP, released via digital distribution on September 11, 2015, by King Inc.[1][2] The EP, which serves as a precursor to TIP's tenth studio album Dime Trap, features guest appearances from Young Dro and Young Thug. The EP's production was handled by Jazzfeezy, League of Starz, London on da Track, Mars, Scena, Shonuff & TNB Beatz.[3][4]

Background

After multiple mentions of the date September 11, on his official Instagram page, TIP unexpectedly released Da' Nic, on the aforementioned date.[5][6] According to a press release, T.I. returning to his original moniker Tip, coincided with the EP's release.[7] The EP's title is inspired by the slang term for a nickel bag of cannabis.[8] Da' Nic marks TIP's first ever independent release.[9][10]

After releasing his ninth studio album Paperwork via Columbia Records, Tip had once again become a free agent, having ended his previous contract with Atlantic Records, after issuing his eighth album Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head, in 2012. He told MTV News that Da’ Nic was birthed from that freedom.[11] Although the project is a prelude in his trilogy series that begun with Paperwork (2014) and will continue with his tenth album Dime Trap (2018), it came together more quickly than ever before: "The idea to release an EP came September 2 and we released it on September 11. I could only have done that as an independent artist," he explained.[11]

He also elaborated on his trilogy, breaking it down like this: "Paperwork was the artsy blend of musical tones [incorporating] soulful R&B — a Blueprint–ish approach to an album. Da' Nic and The Dime Trap [will be] unadulterated trap music and [the third album] will be my version of 808s and Heartbreak." On The Dime Trap, Tip plans to link with "young, hungry, talented producers that are making headway in the game" like Metro Boomin, Mike Will Made It, 808 Mafia and Zaytoven.[11]

Singles

On March 11, 2015, TIP released a single titled "Project Steps".[12] The song was produced by TIP's frequent collaborator, Mars of production team 1500 or Nothin'.[13] On June 26, 2015, TIP released the music video for the single "Project Steps".[14][15][16][17] On September 4, 2015, TIP released the EP's second single titled "Check, Run It", as a single via digital distribution.[18] The song was produced by League of Starz.[19] On September 10, 2015, TIP released a song titled "Peanut Butter Jelly", featuring fellow Atlanta-based rappers, Young Dro and Young Thug.[20][21][22]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Broadcast Live"
  • Jazzfeezy
  • Scena
  • TNB Beatz
[23]		3:53
2."Ain't Gonna See It"
  • Harris Jr.
  • Shomari Wilson
Shonuff2:25
3."Check, Run It"
League of Starz3:57
4."Peanut Butter Jelly" (featuring Young Dro and Young Thug)
London on da Track5:17
5."Project Steps"
Mars (of 1500 or Nothin')3:59

Charts

Chart (2015) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[24] 22
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[25] 3
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)[26] 2

References

  1. ^ "Da' Nic - EP by T.I." Apple Music. 11 September 2015.
  2. ^ "Da' Nic". Amazon.
  3. ^ Hernandez, Victoria (11 September 2015). "T.I. aka TIP "Da' Nic" Release Date, Cover Art, Tracklist & EP Stream". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  4. ^ "T.I. Releases Surprise EP Da Nic". Pitchfork. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  5. ^ "T.I. Drops Surprise EP 'Da' Nic'". Rap-Up. 2015-09-09. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  6. ^ "Stream T.I.'s New EP "Da' Nic"". Hotnewhiphop.com. 2015-09-05. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  7. ^ Hernandez, Victoria (11 September 2015). "TIP Explains Name Change From T.I. & Making "The Dime Trap" Album For Fans". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  8. ^ "T.I. Releases 'Da' Nic' EP With Young Thug and Young Dro". Theboombox.com. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  9. ^ "T.I. Releases Surprise EP, Da' Nic". Audibletreats.com. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  10. ^ Tamara Palmer (2015-09-08). "T.I. Announces Surprise Release at Twitter Headquarters". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  11. ^ a b c "T.I.'s Da' Nic EP Was Basically A Celebration Of Independence". MTV. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015.
  12. ^ "Project Steps - Single by T.I." iTunes. 2015-03-11. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  13. ^ Steve Raze (2015-03-12). "T.I. "Project Steps" Produced By Mars of 1500 or Nothin!". AllHipHop. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  14. ^ "Video: T.I. – 'Project Steps'". Rap-Up. 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  15. ^ ""Project Steps" by T.I. | Music Video". VH1.com. June 19, 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-09-06. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  16. ^ "Instagram". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  17. ^ "T.I. Talks Ant-Man + Preps 'The Dime Trap' Album". STACKS Magazine. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  18. ^ "Check, Run It - Single by T.I." Itunes. 2015-09-04. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  19. ^ "T.I. - Check, Run It (prod. by League Of Starz)". Hotnewhiphop.com. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  20. ^ Balfour, Jay. "Listen To T.I.'s "Peanut Butter Jelly" f/ Young Thug & Young Dro". Complex. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  21. ^ "T.I. - PBJ Feat. Young Thug & Young Dro (Prod. By London On Da Track)". Hotnewhiphop.com. 2015-09-05. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  22. ^ Thurm, Eric (11 September 2015). "Take T.I., Young Thug, and Young Dro's "Peanut Butter Jelly" on Your Lunch Break". Papermag. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  23. ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/8Q0O5TI82c/ [self-published source]
  24. ^ "T.I. Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  25. ^ "T.I. Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  26. ^ "T.I. Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2015.