Trap Muzik is the second studio album by the American rapper T.I., released on August 19, 2003, by Atlantic and his newly founded record label Grand Hustle. Due to the poor sales on T.I.'s first 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 the label.[1][2] In 2002, T.I. launched Grand Hustle with his longtime business partner Jason Geter and signed a new deal with Atlantic Records.[3][2]
Upon its release, Trap Muzik received generally favorable reviews from most music critics, who generally regarded it as a major improvement from I'm Serious. In 2012, Complex named the album one of the classic albums of the last decade.[6]
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."[9] 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".[9][10]
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."[10]
Production
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.[11]
Release and promotion
Singles
"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.[12] "Be Easy" was the second official single from the album, peaking at number 55 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[13] 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.[14] It charted at number 15 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and at number 11 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart.[13] David Banner's production was noted by music reviewers,[15][16] particularly the ascending organ riff that has been described as "hypnotic" and "pure halftime show".[17] The song is included in the hits collections Totally Hits 2004,[18]Crunk Hits Volume 1,[19] and Hip Hop Hits Volume 9.[20] 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.[21] Publicity efforts for the single were derailed by T.I.'s arrest in August 2003.[22]
"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.[13]
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".[23]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.[29]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."[27] 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".[24]
In 2010, Rhapsody included Trap Muzik in its guide to "coke rap" albums.[30]
"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.
