Review: Rick Ross Redefines Boss With Rather You Than Me
Just when you thought it was over, Rick Ross drops Rather You Than Me and confirms he's going to be here for as long as he pleases. Many thought Rick Ross had lost a step musically. Rather You Than Me proves that not only is Ross solid, but he may have dropped a Top 5 album for his catalog.
Let's get right to what the world is talking about. "Idols Become Rivals" featuring Chris Rock. Rick Ross makes it clear he's siding with Lil Wayne the best way he can. In song as he rips Birdman for his bad business practices and fake jewelry. There wasn't anything that was shocking to hear, but it is the most courageous attack on Birdman ever. Rick Ross's love for Lil Wayne and DJ Khaled did this. Ross takes another shot at Birdman later in the album. You'll hear it. I think Rick Ross may have opened up the floodgates on the already violently bubbling issue. Who's next? We'll see when these Young Money albums drop is my guess.
With all the above said "Trap Trap Trap" with Young Thug and Wale might be the best song on the album. Musically, I think we can all agree, Thugger has quite a few good moments. "She On My D**k" featuring Gucci Mane is funny and has a "Same Hoes" vibe. When Rick Ross is slut shaming, it's entertaining. Period. "Game Based on Sympathy" is fire! It's literally the type of rap song you pray your favorite emcee makes.
[iframe id="https://www.youtube.com/embed/USzoKiwJems?ecver=2"]
Rather You Than Me also has another dope moment with Ross and Nas on "Powers That Be". There's also a Dej Loaf sighting on "Maybach Music V". You already know what "I Think She Like Me" with Ty Dolla Sign do and the streets have already embraced "Dead Presidents" with Future, Jeezy and Gotti. Realistically those aren't the best this album has to offer. So if you liked those joints, this album might be your favorite of the year so far halfway through.
I think it's safe to say that Rick Ross is the greatest beat picker of all time. No matter what year or what turmoil. Ross makes sure his beats bang. They're hard, soulful, beautiful, cinematic and infectious. No matter where you have Rick Ross on your top rappers list, you can't deny the man knows how to put together a dope album. Rather You Than Me is exactly that. A dope album.
Check out another album review here.
[Feature] Freeway Ricky Ross: Hustlers Mentality
Photo by Andres Herren
Fourteen years ago in Florida, a correctional officer by the name of William Leonard Roberts II had grown tired of the long hours, low pay and disrespect that being a prison guard afforded. A fan of hip-hop, Roberts decided to try his hand at the craft and, to further pad his perceived 'thug' hip-hop persona, adopted the name of famed drug dealer 'Freeway' Ricky Ross, who at the time was in jail on charges of international cocaine trafficking. Soon, he popped up on Slip n' Slide Records, discussing the finer points of moving large amounts of narcotics across the American borders with heavy bravado, big claims for a man who had been working for the man just months before. If you bought an album named Mastermind by an artist named 'Rick Ross' last week, you've been duped.
In 1998, while Roberts II was trying on the name Rick Ross, tailoring it to his needs, the man who's name was hijacked was in prison, doing all he could to piece his life back together and right the connotations he had perpetuated for the moniker.
"I couldn’t sell drugs now, not knowing what I know today,” said Freeway in an interview we did over the phone last October. "At the same time when I look back at my knowledge and circumstances at the time, I really had no choice.”
[Video] Watch Drake Impersonate Lil Wayne, Jay Z & More on 'SNL'
So, as you may have heard by now, Drake hosted Saturday Night Live this past weekend. The larger-than-life Toronto rapper took to his Degrassi roots, acting in the skits that, believe it or not, came out pretty funny. Drizzy was at his best while impersonating Lil Wayne and Jay Z in a Hip-Hop version of "Before They Were Stars" hosted by a hilarious Sway, played by Keenan Thompson ("If you're black, you know me from the wake up show, if you're white-you know me from this hat"). Drake (or the SNL writers) cleverly take advantage of the Degrassi background to project what it would be like, for example, if Eminem was on Felicity before making "Kim" or what Rick Ross would have been like as a Teletubby. Drake also goes to a Bar Mitzvah and participates in a digital short. Check it all out, streaming below.
Drake Bar Mitzvah Monologue:
SNL Digital Short:
Full Episode
Rick Ross Sues LMFAO
William Leonard Roberts II, also known as "Rick Ross," has found himself in the news quite a bit as of late. Most recently, a lawsuit has been filed in Florida in both his name and Jermaine "Mayne Zayne" Jackson, one half of the production duo The Runners, alleging Copyright Infringement against the pop duo LMFAO for their 2010 song "Party Rock Anthem". In the song the phrase "Everyday I'm shufflin'" is sung, which is similar to the chorus of Roberts' 2006 song "Hustlin". Interestingly, LMFAO's publisher, Kobalt Music Group was joined as a defendant on the lawsuit by Kia Motors America, who licensed "Party Rock Anthem" for commercials.
The lawsuit reads, according to The Hollywood Reporter, "The use of 'Hustlin' ' in 'Party Rock Anthem' is readily apparent, despite the slight change from 'Everyday I’m hustlin' …' to 'Everyday I'm shufflin' …' and constitutes, [among other things], the creation of an unauthorized derivative work..." And that the lyric is, "performed in a manner to sound like" Ross. They also call it "[...]an obvious attempt to capitalize on the fame and success of 'Hustlin''... The phrase is so important to the success of 'Party Rock Anthem,' that LMFAO launched a highly successful clothing line, Party Rock Clothing, that features the phrase on T-shirts and other clothing items."
Roberts also ended his ongoing civil trial with former drug kingpin "Freeway" Ricky Ross, who had been suing him for appropriating his image and life story into a successful rap career. A judge found Roberts not guilty on that charge earlier this week, just after releasing a verse on Kanye West's "Bound 2".
[via The Hollywood Reporter]
[Video] Rick Ross: "No Games" (feat. Future)
Rick Ross and Future linked up with video production juggernaut Revolt TV for a viral visual to their latest collaboration, "No Games." The video combines footage from the classic Scarface movie with black-and-white shots of Rozay in a penthouse screaming at the top of his lungs. The track is a rambunctious cut that will be included in Rozay's forthcoming album, Mastermind.
http://youtu.be/QB5QWPLVrok
[Video] Rockie Fresh: "Panera Bread" (Feat. Rick Ross & Lunice)
Photo by Virgil Solis
Rockie Fresh released the visual for "Panera Bread" off his Birthday Tape EP featuring Rick Ross and Lunice. Ross' Self Made 3 drops tomorrow, so it's appropriate that the video find its way to fans when it did now that Rockie is on Rozay's Maybach Music Group. Check out the video below and keep it posted for more from Rockie soon.
Directed by Dre Films & animated by Chicago's own Bono Nikolic.
http://youtu.be/SpEWZrREFYA
Rick Ross: "No Games" (feat. Future) (prod. by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League)
Rick Ross has been keeping himself busy working with MMG's third Self Made installment and also his forthcoming solo album Mastermind. "No Games", featuring Future and production by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, is the latest official single from the latter. Rozay and Future Hendrix are two of the most polarizing mainstream rappers in the game and this song will surely impact your local radio's playlist sooner than later.
Rappers & Cereal
We've all become accustomed to artists putting their name on a number of products and really showing us their entrepreneurial spirit, from the clothing brands to alcohol, headphones, restaurants and even clubs. Many do anything to make a dollar, and for whats it's worth, I respect that artists venture into the world of business. But like any business, some succeed and well... some are destined to fail. Now think of all the products that we've seen rappers put their name behind, then imagine if your favorite rappers branched off into the world of cereal. The minds over at Rappers & Cereal made it a reality by creating some awesome images with our favorite rappers on the boxes of some of our favorite cereals. Check out some of the hilarious images below, and for more visit Rappers & Cereal.
Photos by Rappers & Bread
