The typical roll out date for new albums seems to be in the past doesn't it? After Jay taught us #NewRules, and Beyonce and Kid Cudi changed the game with their surprise albums, it now seems rappers nowadays need some unique strategy plan to release their project. This being the case in T.I.'s next album Paperwork.
Sitting down with Hot 97 this morning, T.I. revealed that he’s recorded 250 records for his upcoming album, and that Pharrell will be producing the bulk of the new album. After narrowing down a 20 song tracklist, Tip later explained his strategic plan in releasing and putting together the new album. He said that the album is split into three parts of 6 songs each, with two more records connecting as intermissions between the parts. Each section will be assisted by a short film and released along with the album. Therefore, it's like 3 separate EP's, with a a short film for each.
“Of those 20 [songs on the album], I want to take six records at the top, six records in the middle, six records at the end, with two records as intermissions to the three. And I would like to shoot a movie that consists of three short stories, and the three short stories will connect these six records.” - T.I.
According to T.I., Pharrell suggested that instead of selling Paperwork as one album, to break it up into three EP’s for the three short stories. He plans on releasing the album as a complete package similar to Beyonce’s rollout of Beyonce, however T.I. believes his way of releasing will be financially better.
"Where I see she and I differ is she went and shot individual video one by one by one. That must’ve drove the cost through the roof. Me, myself personally I’m doing three short stories. I’m not doing 18 videos, I’m doing three short stories. So the same way we would shoot an episode of House of Lies. We would take five days. This short story shall be complete. Five days, this short story shall be complete. See that will bring my cost down, which will raise my profit margin."
Watch T.I. talk about Paperwork in the interview below.