T.I. returns with the throwback ‘Ball.’
Produced by Rico Love and Earl & E, ‘Ball’ revolves around some touchstones of Southern hip-hop: the bounce-ready Triggerman beat and the 808s of Miami bass. It’s a pastiche that works for both T.I. and Lil Wayne, on a song with the type of simplistic hook that has served both artists so well in the past: “this club so packed / these hos so drunk.”
The track is the third single from T.I.’s Trouble Man, due out on December 18. Trouble Man is said to feature Juicy J, Big K.R.I.T., Andre 3000, Pharrell, R. Kelly, Cee Lo Green, and A$AP Rocky. It’s T.I.’s attempt at reclaiming some legitimacy after his career was derailed by jail time and a reality show.