Paper Trail

Clifford Harris, known as rapper T.I., was arrested on two felony charges in 2007: possession of three unregistered machine guns, as well as two silencers, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He faced up to 15 years in prison, but settled for a plea bargain that sentenced him to a year and a day in jail, 1,500 hours of community service, and a $100,000 fine.

In the midst of his public court case, T.I. released his sixth studio album, Paper Trail, on Sept. 30, 2008.

T.I. explains what motivated him to purchase weaponry on "Ready for Whatever." Over a tormenting beat he defiantly shouts, "either die or go to jail, that's a hell of a decision/ But I'm wrong and I knew it/My excuse is unimportant . . . I didn't think I had a choice." He sheds light on his positive side when he describes himself as "a father to my son, asset to my community/Look at all I've done, my good outweigh the negativity."

T.I. further gets introspective on the Justin Timberlake-assisted "Dead and Gone." He discusses how minor conflicts can grow into irrational violence alongside catharsis from Justin Timberlake.

After purging his soul, T.I. displays his lyricism on "Every Chance I Get" when he brags, "I give it to