By 2010, Rick Ross had graduated from being simply one other rapper making an attempt to make it within the Miami hip-hop scene into the sort of artist who earned his mafia moniker.
His spectacular discography reveals a consistency that’s extraordinarily uncommon for MCs who attempt to development chase, typically in useless. In an period that has come to be outlined by singles, Ross delivered hit after hit all whereas racking up critically acclaimed albums. Together with his languid lyricism, imposing persona, and an ear for choosing a few of the greatest beats within the recreation, Ricky Rozay was primed to turn out to be a family title in hip-hop.
With three studio albums underneath his hefty-sized belt, Ross had confirmed he might ship impeccably produced albums, but it surely was on Teflon Don, the place he lastly discovered his footing as an emcee. There’s a formidable variety of visitor appearances on the file, however Ross holds his personal, by no means letting anybody steal his present.
Since making his debut in 2006, Ross had constructed his profession on selecting top-shelf manufacturing that was tailored for his exuberant type. Teflon Don was no exception. The album boasted an A-list manufacturing group that includes Kanye West, Florida veterans J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, newcomer Lex Luger, NO I.D., and DJ Clark Kent, all of whom supplied a lush, cinematic rating to Ross’ larger-than-life tales.
The makings of a Don
Tales of decadent materialism, drug dealing, sexual conquests, and naturally amassing unprecedented wealth, is the lane Ross is most comfy in and occupies effortlessly.
The Don gathers an array of high-profile visitor stars who lend a verse – Jay-Z, Jadakiss, Kinds P., Gucci Mane, T.I and Drake – to easy crooners John Legend, Ne-Yo, Raphael Saadiq, Cee-Lo Inexperienced, Chrisette Michele, and Erykah Badu.
Whereas Ross was actually a part of a brand new class of hip-hop heavyweights, there’s loads on Teflon Don for old-school heads to understand. The album’s first single “Super High’ is a 70s soul-drenched affair and sounds straight out of a Blaxploitation film with its sensuous basslines and sampling of Enchantment’s classic “Silly Love Song.” “Super High” captures Ross at his greatest, weaving aspirational tales of the nice life over throwback DJ scratches and Clark Kent’s soulful manufacturing.
The second single, “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast), featuring Lex Luger’s booming production, and assistance from Styles P. was one of the hardest street anthems of the summer. Ross drops one of his catchiest hooks on the song when he raps, “I think I’m Big Meech, Larry Hoover/Whippin’ work, Hallelujah/One nation, under God/Real ni__as gettin’ money from the f__king start.”
Amid all of the cocaine goals and Magic Metropolis exploits, there are a number of cases the place Ross drops the persona to sincerely replicate on all of his success and people he misplaced alongside the best way. On the gospel-inspired “Tears of Joy,” Ross takes inventory as Cee-Lo supplies a hovering refrain.
“Last night I cried tears of joy, What did I do to deserve this?/Young rich mother__ker still uneducated, But dammit a ni__a made it.” And on the album’s nearer, “All The Money,” he eulogizes his late father and guarantees that cash gained’t decide what sort of man he’ll be: “Why the f__k I own the world when I can’t share it with him.”
A fateful beat
However of all of the songs on Teflon Don, the Crème de la crème of the venture arguably is “Aston Martin Music.” With Drake and the R&B songstress Chrisette Michele buying and selling harmonies on the hook, it’s a sonic throwback to the early 00s. J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League had initially provided the observe to Drake, and when he heard Ross’ demo model, he pleaded to get on the track, not realizing he had handed on it beforehand. When all was mentioned and executed, “Aston Martin” helped propel Teflon Don to gold certification and stays one among Drake’s standout options, starting his run as a hit-making, visitor artist.
Teflon Don is stuffed with deep cuts which have turn out to be simply as memorable as a few of the hit singles. Jay-Z and John Legend help on “Free Mason,” the place the 2 give a clinic on the artwork of rap braggadocio. “Maybach Music III,” one other head-nodding J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League observe, is an exciting trifecta of Ross, T.I., and Jadakiss, with Erykah Badu on the hook. The transition on Ross’ verse is nothing lower than epic, befitting for a “Don.”
Following its launch in July 2010, Teflon Don debuted at No.2 on the Billboard 200 chart, promoting 176,300 copies in its first week in an period the place streaming was remodeling the best way music was consumed. With out sacrificing his inventive imaginative and prescient, Ross’ adaptability allowed him to flourish amidst the altering instances of the trade.
With Teflon Don, Ross proved he was greater than only a rapper who personified hip hop’s opulent facet, however somebody who had come into his personal as an artist and unapologetically loved the fruits of his labor.
Purchase Rick Ross’ music on vinyl or CD now.
