In an era where hip-hop artists' success is measured by the price tags on their chains and overly opulent music videos for their latest singles, T-Pain, the industry's most recent mogul, never falls short of extravagance.
T-Pain's new album release, dubbed Thr33 Ringz, is a loose metaphor relating the hip-hop music industry to a three-ring circus. T-Pain, the self-proclaimed ringleader, has been featured on an incredible amount of hip-hop singles over the past two years, vaulting himself to elite status in the hip-hop world in an unbelievably small amount of time.
His ability to manipulate the music industry (his reputation is nothing short of diabolical) is remarkable. By conjuring up Thr33 Ringz, T-Pain once again shows his mastery over the music business - a business that is becoming much more visual than musical - by having no fear of trying new things and still maintaining a rhythm fans like to hear. With this highly anticipated follow-up album, T-Pain has lifted himself from hip-hop superstardom to hip-hop divinity.
The most distinguishing feature of T-Pain's music is his use of voice alterations, which were extremely popular on his preceding album, Epiphany. This electronic altering continues on Thr33 Ringz, producing that it's goin' digital"" sound, which is becoming a hot commodity in hip-hop music because of its techno feel and glittery, high-tech cadence that Gen Y'ers go crazy for.
Enlisting a star-studded cast of featured artists including Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown, T-Pain harmonizes his way through Thr33 Ringz with catchy hooks and electronically charged lyrics. Produced by T-Pain himself, Thr33 Ringz will excite listeners' senses with songs such as ""Freeze,"" ""It Ain't Me,"" and ""Digital,"" that practically force you into a dance.
T-Pain also mixes it up with slower songs such as the heart-wrenching ""Keep Going,"" and ""Can't Believe It"" which has already found success as the album's first single.
On the last song of the album, the uncharacteristically angry-toned ""Karaoke,"" T-Pain flexes his ego on wannabe rappers through DJ Khaled's cry, ""T-Pain, they wanna live your life man.""
T-Pain even has the guts to tackle rock legend Eric Clapton's hit song ""Change the World"" and make it his own, with help from Akon, Diddy and Mary J. Blige.
T-Pain clearly knows exactly what he is doing when it comes to producing music. While the true music fan may be disappointed in his affinity for glam and sales over true lyricism, poetry and musicianship, those seeking a bubble gum beat and a catchy chorus will be begging for more after speeding through Thr33 Ringz.
T-Pain knows that he is a music tycoon, ringleader of the music circus. Just ask T-Pain himself and, like his song, ""The Ringleader Man,"" he will respond, ""This is my circus, I'm working / I could flip this whole game with one hand.""
Buy a ticket to T-Pain's circus. It won't disappoint.
