What makes What You Know by T.I. notable?

The song achieved significant commercial success, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning T.I. a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. Additionally, it became emblematic of the trap music movement, influencing countless artists and marking a high point in T.I.'s career amidst a burgeoning Southern hip-hop scene. By the time 'What You Know' was released in 2006, T.I. had firmly established himself as a leading figure in Southern hip-hop, following his breakthrough album 'Trap Muzik' in 2003. This single marked a pivotal moment in his career as it solidified his status with mainstream audiences and set the stage for his subsequent album, 'King', which would later debut at number one on the Billboard 200.

How many songs are on What You Know?

What You Know has 4 tracks, running approximately 17 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

What You Know

T.I. · 2006

17 min · 4 tracks · trap music

A confident blend of Southern swagger and sharp lyrical insight, perfectly encapsulating the Atlanta hip-hop scene of the mid-2000s.

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Top tracks — play these first

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What You Know (radio version) — This version showcases T.I.’s charismatic delivery and clever wordplay, making it accessible to a wider audience while retaining its street credibility.
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What You Know (explicit version) — The explicit version reveals the unfiltered intensity of T.I.’s lyrics, highlighting his ability to navigate personal and socio-political themes within a catchy hook.
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What You Know (instrumental) — The instrumental track emphasizes the innovative production that underpins T.I.'s style, showcasing the rich, bass-heavy sound characteristic of trap music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The single combines strong lyrical content with a signature trap sound, making it memorable and influential.

What we noticed

The track features a steady, driving beat typical of trap music, with layered hi-hats and deep bass lines.
The song's structure includes a hook that repeats several times, reinforcing its catchiness and memorability.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This single solidified T.I.'s reputation in mainstream hip-hop after earlier successes.
Themes: Atlanta hip-hop scene· street credibility· Southern swagger
Career context: By the time 'What You Know' was released in 2006, T.I. had firmly established himself as a leading figure in Southern hip-hop, following his breakthrough album 'Trap Muzik' in 2003. This single marked a pivotal moment in his career as it solidified his status with mainstream audiences and set the stage for his subsequent album, 'King', which would later debut at number one on the Billboard 200.
Stylistic neighbors: Jeezy· Gucci Mane· Lil Wayne