T.I. may not realize it, but he may be more in-tune to the pop culture climate than he realizes.The soon-to-be jailed hip-hop superstar spent the latter half of 2008 fluidly rapping the public into a sense of cotton-like security, just as they were hoping for a change in direction for the embattled country. As we enter the new year, with a new presidential administration facing a deafening economic hell, T.I. rips the billowy clouds out from under the people and delivers us a hard dose of reality.
"Dead and Gone" is a cautionary tale of the dangers that the hip-hop culture has arguably bred. Theft, murder, regret, sadness, and most important of all, change, are dealt with in this surprisingly powerful, yet listenable track. While the name power of Justin will surely attract CHR, the true draw is T.I., who's rapping is fluid and affecting. Listening to him, it's clear that the song is more than just an airwave filler. It's real.
Let's not minimize Justin, though. The chorus, with a hook that is instantly memorable, makes his collaboration with Madonna seem like child's play. Technically, it is (saving the world v.s. saving one's self; which one is more realistic?) as he sings about looking to his sides and seeing no one beside him.
Back to T.I.'s impeccable cultural timing. Typing this, I realized even more connections and implications that can be connected to this song. Ranging from Obama's inauguration tomorrow to the Biggie Smalls biopic just released, it truly surprised me that a song that I was sure would be ignored as a single has so much current cultural significance. The surprise isn't unwelcome.
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if years later, long after he fills out his sentence, we are still referring to this song on some level. That's what usually happens with great songs.
Let's just hope that he continues down his current path (the one without the jail cell).
BWU RATES: 8 OUT OF 10
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