T-Pain

T-Pain imagines himself the music industry's ringleader, an autotuned offspring of Don Corleone, Dionysus and Teddy Pendergrass. But, on his third solo album, he also reveals himself as a bit of a sap. The tinkling daydream of "Can't Believe It" finds him pandering to the wildest wishes of his female base, while Pain goes emo for "Therapy," which includes a guest verse from Kanye. On "Ringleader Man," he even sheds his autotune affectation and treats us to his natural voice, which is full and pleasant if not awe-inspiring. The production is lighter, and the album is filled with mid-tempo jams that are appealing, if not as purely visceral as some of his earlier work. This Rhapsody exclusive includes a performance of T-Pain's hit "Can't Believe It" from Rhapsody Rocks the VMAs, 2008.

This self-proclaimed "rappa turnt sanga" invented the R&B robo-soul that's been jacked by
every sanga and rappa alive — and he calls out the biters on "Karaoke." But Thr33 Ringz
shows what sets T-Pain apart. He's an inventive producer, enveloping radio-friendly hooks
in Auto-Tune wackiness. (Check the dizzying crunk-rock "Ring Leader Man.") And he's a
love machine, accentuating the urgency of his please-baby cooing with sci-fi eff... More >