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Legacy is everything in hip-hop music. The impact an artist leaves on their hometown, state, fan base, critics and peers alike often paints a vivid picture of the work they’ve put into their craft and how it’s resonated with the audience. Some artists achieve legendary status without seeing one song ever receive radio play. Others seem as if they’ve had one million hit songs, making it hard to remember when they weren’t putting out music themselves or featuring on a project. Countless artists have seen boundless success with both respective paths. But one thing that does often happen in music, and in life actually, is that we often take for granted the people who have been a model of consistency for a prolonged amount of time. It’s almost expected for them to deliver on whatever they promise us and it seems to only be highlighted when they slip or fall.
For over a decade plus, hip-hop superstar Rick Ross has stood at the top of the genre as one of the most respected and revered artists of his generation. The features and co-signs would take all day to highlight. Almost every rapper with longevity in hip-hop has collaborated with the Miami, Florida MC in one way or another. He is the CEO of the highly successful Maybach Music Group label, which has spent this past decade as one of the most talented and productive factions hip-hop has ever seen. His nine albums are the blueprint for luxury rap while still showing a glimpse
inside the life of man at the top of the world, constantly fighting demons from the outside and self inflicted. Noted medical issues, attempts on his life and notable hip-hop beefs with some the game’s biggest names, Ross’s career has seen the highest of highest and the lowest of lows. But through all the success and strife, one thing has remained constant: his status as one of the best rappers of his era, and of all-time.
In 2006, Ross made his major label debut. In 2019, he still sounds like the young and ambitious hustler who won’t stop until he gets what is rightfully his. It was easy to see what drove him when he made his first impact on the game. The ambition and will it took to be a voice and personality hip-hop hadn’t quiet seen before, while also working on building a brand that would become a staple in hip-hop should be admired and applauded. But years later, what drives one of the most successful artists of his generation? The answer is simple: The realization that life is short and that a person must make the most with the opportunities and blessings they’re gifted.
This summer would mark the most anticipated Rick Ross release to date. Confirmed as a sequel to his 2006 debut effort Port of Miami, the buzz the album had built via social media and national airwaves was impossible to ignore. Fans speculated on what approach the newest album would have. Would It have the signature balance of street and substance of projects such as Teflon Don, Trilla and Deeper Than Rap? Or maybe it would be more in the lane of Hood Billionaire or God Forgives, I Don’t, an album tailor made for those who prefered the loud and brash Rick Ross sound that has landed him countless hit songs. Or the album could potentially be more introspective and reflective as Mastermind, Black Market and his latest album effort Rather You Than Me, which showed the 43 year old veteran’s willingness to rap about the most intimidate parts of his life while still keeping the essence of his music in tact. For his latest album, the answer would be simple: all of the above.
On August 12th, 2019, Rick Ross released his tenth studio album Port of Miami 2 under Epic Records. A tribute to his fans who have been around since the beginning, the artwork itself inspires nostalgia, as he recreates the same cover from its predecessor. However, you can see the 13 year difference in features and wealth, and Ross undoubtedly intends to show the growth he’s expireinced with a decade plus on hip-hop’s main stage. And his nostalgia does not stop there, as the introductory track features two people who have been major influences in his storied career.
The album opens up with a signature Rick Ross sound; a fast paced, 808-heavy, Beat Billionaire produced track titled Act a Fool. Flaunting wealth, success and lifestyle as only he can, he makes quick work of the beat, sounding as confident, proud and direct as ever. So many of his biggest records have come from this mold, it’s only right that it kicks off his milestone album. A featured verse from longtime MMG member and friend Wale only brings things full circle, as the duo have made countless songs together over the years, many of which became commercial successes. The opening gives off a classic MMG Self Made era feel, and it’s a clear tone setter for the album. But as strong as the intro is, the album only gets better as it continues.
The following track Turnpike Ike is the quintessential Rick Ross song. Wheter it’s the piano opening, to the drum cadence, the commentary between him and his female companion or the moments of spoken word by Ross himself, there’s little doubt that he knew how good the song was when writing it. A dedication to a legendary South Florida kingpin, his verses serve as a first hand account of how that lifestyle feels and the positive and negative things that can come from it. The song is nothing less than looking at the excess that comes with living a lavish and illegal lifestyle, and Ross makes it sound luxurious as ever for one of the best tracks of the album.
As the album continues, one can’t help but notice the versality in not only its sound, but features and subject matter as well. Ross trades verses about the dark side of the street lifestyle with MMG member Gunplay on the unapologetic and supremely confident Nobody’s Favorite. He doubles down on proclaiming his superstar status over signature Swizz Beatz production on the brash and triumphant BIG TYME. Harmony from multitalented artist Dej Loaf plays perfectly in the background as Ross details his leisure time with his lady on the easygoing White Lines. In one of the more interesting collaborations of the album, R&B sensation Summer Walker sets the mood with a beautifully sung chorus on another song catered to women and how they take care of a man in a position of influence. And the 808 heavy, trap influenced Born To Kill features another hip-hop legend in Jeezy, who delivers one of his classic, gritty drug dealer verses to compliment Ross’s braggadocios tone.
It’s fitting that a decade strong in the rap game would see Rick Ross deliver some of his most personal and detailed work to date. He details his come up into the game and lets the journey come full circle in the uplifting Rich N***a Lifestyle , which includes a standout verse from the late Nipsey Hussle and a confident chorus from one of R&B’s strongest voices in Teyana Taylor. Integrity, pride and profession take play the central theme in the personal and vulnerable Bogus Charms, which features a verse from perhaps the most notable MMG member in Philadelphia’s own Meek Mill. The famed duo delivers another quality record to add to their longtime history of well excecuted songs. And in the most introspective track of the album, Ross mourns people that he’s lost to prison and to the streets as a result of the life they pursued on the emotionally charged Fascinated. From admissions of crying due to the stresses of life, to feeling alone despite everything he has around him, the track serves as a humble reminder that even the most successful people around fight inner demons every day, finances not withstanding; a clear standout track on the album.
As the project comes to an end, a trio of songs, all with different sounds, properly wrap up an album with so many layers to it, it needs several listens to digest. Running the Streets details the choice of the streets opposed to the comforts of home. Whether it be a wife, girlfriend or even a child, the song encourages those loved ones to stay home and not worry as the man in the lives takes off to handle business. Very impressive guest verses from young star MC’s A Boogie wit da Hoodie and Denzel Curry feel like a passing of the torch as they do more than hold their own, a feat hard to accomplish when rapping alongside one of the best of a generation. And speaking on that generation, Rick Ross would collaborate with a man he’s been connected to since the first Port of Miami album. Hip-hop legend Lil Wayne features on the much anticipated Maybach Music VI. On what feels like a celebration of two of the genre’s most decorate and respected veteran MC’s, the track is as bold and brash as the duo more than deserve. The effortlessly delivered chorus from R&B great John Legend perfectly compliments verses about the lavish lifestyle and all it entails. It’s simply some of the greatest artists of their era combining to deliver yet another gem on a long list between them. The latest installment in the Maybach Music series may very well be the best one to date.
The album closes out with the moody and melodic Gold Roses, a collaboration with one of hip-hop’s most successful and polarizing artist of all time, Drake. A track unlike either has ever made, the theme focuses on the lack of appreciation the two feel like they might’ve gotten on the road to being two of most successful artists in their era, and maybe of any era of hip-hop. It’s the first time Ross voices displeasure about never winning an award at the Grammy’s, an understandable sentiment given the amount of work he’s put out in thirteen years. Drake’s chorus about not waiting too late to show the proper respect and admiration might very well be the story of Ross’s career ironically. But in that spirit, they made a song unlike any of their previous collaborations, and it stands as one of their best and one of the best songs on this special album.
In 2019, Rick Ross has nothing left to prove as a MC. He has more than proven that he belongs in the upper echelon of hip-hop artists and has the respect of countless fans and peers. The list of artists he’s collaborated with spans eras, genres and cultures, and that’s a testimony to his talent, attention to detail and open mind in making his sound work in any setting. Only the great ones are able to do that, and there’s no denying his greatness. Port of Miami 2 marks album number ten, and somehow, may very well be the most impressive album to date for a man with one of the best catalogs in rap history. Let this be one of the attempts to give a legend his flowers now, thanks in part to an album that may be the very best of 2019.
Top 5 Songs:
1. Turnpike Ike
2. Maybach Music VI
3. Running the Streets
4. Gold Roses
5. Fascinated