The Bottom Line
By turning tragedy into triumph, T.I. reminds us that personal struggle makes for good music on "No Matter What."
T.I. - "No Matter What" [Clean] | [Explicit]Pros
- Introspective
- Makes the best of a negative situation
Cons
- That beat sounds familiar
Description
- Buzz single from Paper Trail
- Produced by Danja
- Shows a personal side of T.I.
Guide Review - T.I. - "No Matter What"
In the business of turning pain into pleasure, T.I. is king. Oh, c'mon get your mind out the gutter. I'm talking about transforming tragic situations into triumphant anthems. When he lost several friends and family members to drugs and violence, Tip cut the seriously thoughtful "Live in the Sky." Now faced with legal hassle over 2007's gun charges, T.I. soberly addresses his struggles on "No Matter What."
On this brooding track from Paper Trail, Tip pats himself on the back ("Lyrics so sick with it/Set the standard in Atlanta on how to get, get, get it"), displays strength in the face of adversity ("I lost my partner and my daughter in the same year/Somehow I rise above my problems and remain here"), and takes his enemies to task ("I understand why/Now with my hands tied, they take shots/Because if I'm out there it's a landslide") in the same breath.
Where "No Matter What" fails to rise to occasion is in Danja's production. It's a shameless mirror of anything Toomp has given Tip in the past. Take your pick: "What You Know," or "Bankhead." Still, the hissing synths and squealing piano loops still make for one heck of a catchy beat.
T.I.'s latest is pure proof that music is the best therapy in life. No matter what.
