Regarded as one of T.I.’s most aggressive and high-quality projects, Fuck A Mixtape was released on May 27, 2010. Following the commercial success of his Paper Trail album and his successful return from prison, the world was quickly reminded of T.I.’s status as the “King of the South.” This project was so well-crafted that it could have easily been considered an album. However, Tip decided to give it away for free to reconnect with his roots and his loyal fan base. The mixtape featured elite production from DJ Toomp, Timbaland, No I.D., Swizz Beatz, and Jim Jonsin, and it also included collaborations with Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy. Hosted by DJ Drama and DJ MLK, the mixtape also featured “skits” from Kevin Hart, Jamie Foxx, and Lil Duval. Standout tracks like “Welcome Back to the Trap,” “Yeah,” and “No Competition” solidified T.I.’s position as a force to be reckoned with in the mixtape game. Additionally, the mixtape had radio-friendly hits like “Got Your Back” featuring Keri Hilson, which would have charted on Billboard. While some argue that this project was better than the No Mercy album that followed, it’s undeniable that it kept T.I. relevant in the music industry.
