| No Mercy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | December 7, 2010 | |||
| Recorded | 2009–2010 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 61:02 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | ||||
| T.I. chronology | ||||
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| Singles from No Mercy | ||||
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No Mercy is the seventhstudio album by American rapperT.I. Originally titledKing Uncaged, It was released on December 7, 2010, byGrand Hustle Records andAtlantic Records.[2] Recording sessions for the album took place during 2009 to 2010.Production was handled by several high-profile record producers, includingKanye West,Polow da Don,The-Dream,J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League,The Neptunes, TrackSlayerz,Jake One,T-Minus,Christopher "Tricky" Stewart,Rico Love,Alex da Kid,DJ Toomp,Jim Jonsin,Danja andDr. Luke, among others. The album also featuresguest appearances from several prominent artists such as Kanye West,Kid Cudi,Scarface,Chris Brown,Eminem, The-Dream,Trey Songz,Pharrell,Drake,Christina Aguilera,Keri Hilson andRick Ross, among others.
The album debuted and peaked at number four on the USBillboard 200 chart, selling 159,000 copies in its first week in the United States.[3] It attained international charting and produced thelead singles "Got Your Back" and "Get Back Up". Due to violating his parole stemming from a drug arrest, T.I. was forced to alter things, including the album's intended bellicose tone and its title, from "King Uncaged" to its eventual name "No Mercy". Additionally, four purported singles failed to make the final cut. Upon its release,No Mercy received mixed reviews from most music critics. Avinyl edition of the album was released on February 22, 2011.[4] The album was later certified platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
During an interview with MTV, T.I. confirmed that he had started recording for an album that would be released in 2010 following his release from prison.[5] In February 2010, Jason Geter, T.I.'s manager and co-founder ofGrand Hustle Records, said that the album is slated for a summer release.[6]Rap-Up reported that the album is slated to be released around the same time as T.I.'s upcoming film project,Takers.[7] It was later confirmed to be released on August 24, 2010.[8] The release date was pushed up one week to August 17, 2010.[9] The album was placed for pre-order on June 14, 2010.[10]
"This is the most significant return from incarceration that the game has had since [All Eyez on Me]."
In an interview withRolling Stone, T.I. stated that the album was the final album in a trilogy that started withT.I. vs. T.I.P. and includedPaper Trail.[11]
On March 1, 2010, Atlantic Records created aTwitter account to keep the public informed about T.I. news. Atlantic Records said a major announcement would take place on T.I.'s official site, TrapMuzik.com, on March 8, 2010.[7] This announcement was the release of the first single from the album.[12] On April 1, 2010, T.I. posted the first post-prison interview on his website and he described the album's direction being "more aggressive. It's going hard like classic T.I.".[13] T.I. announced that the album would be titledKing Uncaged on April 15, 2010.[14]
T.I. stated he would refrain from "gun talk" on this release.[15]
T.I. had recorded 20 songs for the album in April 2009 and said that the recording style of the album would be a mix of writing his lyrics down and free-styling.[5] In December 2009, formerWarner Music Group executive,Kevin Liles, posted a message on his Twitter saying that T.I. was recording new material for a new album.[16]Jim Jonsin toldRap-Up that "It doesn't seem like he missed a beat."[17] On May 25, 2010, T.I. stated that he recorded 80 songs for the album.[18] Jason Geter said that T.I. has been in the studio withLil' C,DJ Toomp,Danja,The Runners andTrackSlayerz. He also said that much of the album's production would come from new producers.[6] In an interview withVibe, the production duo, TrackSlayerz, confirmed that they recorded three songs with T.I., including "I'm Back".[19] DJ Toomp confirmed that he had already worked three songs with T.I. and plans to record two more.Vibe reported that Swizz Beatz has been contributing production to the album.[20] Hip-hop DX reported thatDrumma Boy will contribute to the project as well.[21]Just Blaze revealed that he contributed four beats to the project.[22] In an interview withHot 107.9, T.I. stated Smash Factory,Timbaland andDr. Luke had contributed production to the album as well.[23]
Jason Geter confirmed potential features fromThe-Dream andTrey Songz. The-Dream commented on his work with T.I. saying "sounds great. He's sounding beautiful. His spirit is really good. He's got the eye of the tiger."[6]Rap-Up had reported that T.I. has been recording with fellowGrand Hustle artistB.o.B,[7] one track was confirmed by B.o.B being titled "Dream Me Up" with production from Cut the Check.[24] In an interview withVibe, DJ Toomp revealed that T.I. was looking to getAndré 3000 as a feature on the album.[20] MTV reported that T.I. confirmed collaborations fromLady Gaga,Kid Rock,Young Dro, Mac Boney andEminem.[18] T.I. toldRolling Stone about the content he had recorded, "some songs talk about my time in prison — how I was affected by that, the way I've grown from that, things I see now that I may have not seen then, sometimes I talk about love, some songs I talk about life, some songs I talk about me being the shit on every level."[11]Kanye West recorded six songs for the album at Avex Honolulu Studios inHonolulu, Hawaii.[25] T.I. toldMTV's Jayson Rodriguez that the song "Castle Walls" (featuringChristina Aguilera) originally belonged toDiddy who had commissioned the song for his fifth albumLast Train to Paris with his groupDirty Money. But Diddy told T.I. "Yeah, this is my record, but you know what, I think this is a better fit for you. I think you should rock out on this one. I think this speaks volumes to where you are, what you going through, what you living and how you feel."[26]
The album was originally intended to be titledKing Uncaged. The cover features T.I., in front of a stark white background, sunk deep into a wickerthrone, alion standing by his side: however, after T.I. was sent back to prison, the title and cover were altered. On October 25, 2010, T.I. announced on The Rickey Smiley Show that the album would now be titledNo Mercy.[27]
In preparation for the album's release, T.I. released a promotional mixtape titledFuck a Mixtape withDJ Drama and DJ MLK.[14][28] The mixtape was released on May 27, 2010.[18]
Upon T.I's return from prison, he released the song appropriately titled "I'm Back". The song was the first official single to be released fromNo Mercy, with the single cover being released on T.I.'s official website on March 3, 2010.[29][30] The song was released on March 8, 2010 on T.I.'s official site.[31] The producers of the song, TrackSlayerz, described the song as "T.I. swatting at haters and assuming his rightful position atop the game after spending time behind bars".[19] The song was available throughiTunes on March 9, 2010.[32] The single entered the USBillboard Hot 100 chart at number 44, it charted at number 12 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, it charted at number seven on theHot Rap Tracks chart.[33] The single attained nearly respectable international charting. InCanada, the single entered theCanadian Hot 100 at number 44, while inGermany, the single entered theGerman Black Chart at number 29.[34] The single is nominated for aGrammy Award forBest Rap Solo Performance at the 201153rd Annual Grammy Awards.
"Yeah Ya Know (Takers)" was released as the second official single from the album on May 24, 2010. The song was produced byDJ Toomp.[35] It was released on iTunes for purchase on June 1, 2010.[36] The single entered theBillboard Hot 100 at number 44, and charted at number 65 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[37] The single attained international charting. InCanada, the single entered theCanadian Hot 100 at number 68. It will also serve as an official soundtrack for thecrime-thriller filmTakers and can be found on T.I.'s mixtape prior to the album,Fuck a Mixtape.[38] Its music video was released on June 2, 2010. The video features the song playing over clips from the movieTakers.[39]
"Got Your Back" was released as the third official single from the album, serviced on June 1, 2010, as the album's lead mainstream single. The single entered theBillboard Hot 100 at number 38, charted at number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and charted at number 4 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. The single attained respectable international charting. InCanada, the single entered theCanadian Hot 100 at number 48, charted at number 45 on theUK Singles Chart, and charted at number 19 on theUK R&B Chart.[40][41] In theNetherlands, the single entered theDutch Singles Chart at number 81,[42] while in theRepublic of Ireland, the single entered theIrish Singles Chart at number 33;[43] as well as inGermany, the single entered the German Black (Deutsche Trend) at number 6,[44] and inBelgium, the single entered the Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) chart at number 21.[45] The song features American R&B singer-songwriterKeri Hilson who he wrote theDJ Toomp-produced track with.
"Ya Hear Me" was released as the fourth official single from the album. It was produced by ATL producer Keith Mack, who has previously produced tracks such as "Live in the Sky", "Ride wit Me" and "My Type", for T.I.. It was sent to theiTunes Store on July 28, 2010.[46]
The song, titled "Get Back Up" featuring Americanpop andR&B singerChris Brown, produced byThe Neptunes, was the fifth official single to be released fromNo Mercy.[47][48][49] It was released on October 29, 2010 to theiTunes Store.[1] The single entered theBillboard Hot 100 at number 70, charted at number 37 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and charted at number 20 on theHot Rap Tracks chart.[50] The single attained international charting. In Australia, the single entered theAustralian ARIA Singles Chart at number 91, and in Germany, the single entered the German Black (Deutsche Trend) at number 9.[51][52]
"I Can't Help It" was the sixth official single from the album. The track features guest appearances from a fellowAtlanta-based rapperRocko and was released to theiTunes Store on November 22, 2010.[53] The single was produced by Smash Factory.
On November 30, 2010, thetitle track, featuringThe-Dream, was officially released through iTunes.[54] The single was released as the seventh single from the album.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [55] |
| Entertainment Weekly | (B)[56] |
| The Guardian | [57] |
| Los Angeles Times | [58] |
| Pitchfork Media | (5.5/10)[59] |
| PopMatters | (4/10)[60] |
| Rolling Stone | [61] |
| Slant Magazine | [62] |
| USA Today | [63] |
| The Washington Post | (unfavorable)[64] |
Upon its release,No Mercy received generally mixed reviews from music critics.[65] AtMetacritic, which assigns anormalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received anaverage score of 59, based on 15 reviews, which indicates "mixed or average reviews".[65] Henry Adaso ofAbout.com states "Arguably T.I.'s worst outing yet, No Mercy relies on gruesomely listless party tunes and the occasional whining" and stating "The production on No Mercy is painfully generic for a rapper once known for rocking some of the best beats money can buy".[66]AllMusic writer Andy Kellman described it as "a career low point for all involved" however he states "There's a sense that he'll regain focus once his legal matters settle".[55]Nathan Rabin ofThe A.V. Club states "As is the case with2Pac, it's difficult to separate the ongoing crime drama/soap opera of T.I.'s life from the music he creates. So it should come as no surprise that No Mercy, the superstar's latest post-and-pre-prison-stint album, reflects the life lessons and soul-searching that come with extended jail time at the height of a superstar's fame".[67] Ken Capobianco ofThe Boston Globe noted that "throughout this disc there's an unsettling celebration of the untamed life without any reflection on the consequences T.I. often laments".[68]Entertainment Weekly's Brad Wete noted that "The self-proclaimedKing of the South addresses his troubles on several tracks while on others he remains unrepentant, though: OnGet Back Up, he arrogantly apologizes for being human rather than for his crimes" Wete ended the review by stating "That crown must be getting heavy".[56]
Los Angeles Times writer Jeff Weiss stated that "No Mercy is largely consumed with penitence and a looming penitentiary sentence".[58]Pitchfork Media's Tom Breihan commented that "Throughout No Mercy, Tip remains an absolutely impeccable rapper, delivering even his lamest pieces of self-help nothingness in masterful clumps of singsong cadence and slurry double-time bounce. I get the impression that he could still absolutely rip a track to shreds if he could only get himself excited about the prospect. And every so often, No Mercy crackles to life, and we hear flashes of the rap hero Tip could still be".[59] Giving it a 4 out of 10 rating, David Amidon ofPopMatters stated that "While peaks and valleys can be used in a positive sense, the way Tip's offering here dips in and out of quality seems much too violent for most longtime followers to keep up with. There are references to making terrible choices personally, which is fine, but as a musician one assumes a certain responsibility to avoid those professional pitfalls as well".[60]Rolling Stone writerJody Rosen cited it as T.I.'s desire for redemption takes on gospel overtones and "Make no mistake, T.I. still knows how to throw a party. No Mercy is a sleek pop-rap record: 14 taut, catchy songs with beats from big-name producers and an array of top-flight guests. No Mercy suggests that, among A-list rappers, T.I. is the one with the most well-honed pop sensibility".[61]
Slant Magazine's Jesse Cataldo viewed it as "This is the kind of material that, cloaked in ripe hooks and sharp beats, can sustain mediocrity" stating that the album is "Stocked with smart producers and reshuffled tropes, the album buzzes with excitement and relevance even when it's thematically comatose" and that "No Mercy is full of these kind of moments, where suspect lyrical passages coast by under smooth surfaces".[62]The Washington Post's Sean Fennessey saw it as his "Confused, and worse, dull album".[64] Steve Jones ofUSA Today noted that T.I. on the album "He deals with this quandary on his star-studded No Mercy, where he alternately cops to his character flaws while condemning celebrity-hating detractors who make things miserable for him".[63] Andy Gill ofThe Independent gave it three out of five stars and stated that "tracks like the delinquent reminiscence "How Life Changed" and the mea culpa duet with Chris Brown, "Get Back Up", teeter queasily on the cusp of boast and apology. But you have to admire the gall of a repeat offender brazen enough to feature a quote from Helen Keller in his lyric booklet".[69] Caroline Sullivan ofThe Guardian commented that most of its songs "range from dour, generic pieces that can't conceal his listlessness to a few pretty good-ish party songs with sharp hooks and crackling beats. You can only hope he rediscovers his swagger".[57]
No Mercy debuted at number four on the USBillboard 200 chart, selling over 159,000 copies in its first week of release.[3] The album charted at number one on theBillboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums andBillboard Rap Albums chart, and at number three on theDigital Albums chart. It was certified platinum by the RIAA in September 2024.[2]
No Mercy attained international charting. InAustralia the album entered theAustralian ARIA Albums Chart at number 69, inCanada the album entered theCanadian Albums Chart at number 35, inFrance the album entered theFrench Albums Chart at number 173, inJapan the album entered theJapanese Albums Chart at number 88, and inNew Zealand the album entered theNew Zealand Albums Chart at number 39.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Welcome to the World" (featuringKanye West andKid Cudi) | West | 4:14 | |
| 2. | "How Life Changed" (featuringMitchelle'l andScarface) |
| 4:30 | |
| 3. | "Get Back Up" (featuringChris Brown) |
| The Neptunes | 4:24 |
| 4. | "I Can't Help It" (featuringRocko) |
| The Smash Factory | 3:32 |
| 5. | "That's All She Wrote" (featuringEminem) |
|
| 5:18 |
| 6. | "No Mercy" (featuringThe-Dream) |
|
| 4:07 |
| 7. | "Big Picture" |
| DJ Toomp | 4:25 |
| 8. | "Strip" (featuringYoung Dro andTrey Songz) |
| Lil' C | 3:42 |
| 9. | "Salute" |
| Jake One | 3:07 |
| 10. | "Amazing" (featuringPharrell) |
| The Neptunes | 5:14 |
| 11. | "Everything on Me" |
| Danja | 4:24 |
| 12. | "Poppin Bottles" (featuringDrake) |
|
| 5:20 |
| 13. | "Lay Me Down" (featuringRico Love) |
|
| 3:16 |
| 14. | "Castle Walls" (featuringChristina Aguilera) | Alex da Kid[71] | 5:29 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15. | "I'm Back" |
| TrackSlayerz | 3:43 |
| 16. | "Got Your Back" (featuringKeri Hilson) |
| DJ Toomp | 4:24 |
| 17. | "Yeah Ya Know (Takers)" |
|
| 4:28 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15. | "Ya Hear Me" |
| Keith Mack | 4:04 |
| 16. | "Pledge Allegiance" (featuringRick Ross) | J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League | 7:46 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18. | "Follow Your Dreams" (featuring Shun Hendrix) |
| 3:55 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19. | "That's What I Thought" (featuringMac Boney andKiller Mike) | Nard & B | 4:37 | |
| 20. | "Like So" |
| Lil' C | 3:08 |
Sample credits
Credits forNo Mercy adapted fromAllmusic.[74]
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[2] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
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