What’s current, folks? In the wake of The Source magazine (I guess since their 2.0 upgrade, this actually matters?) crowning rapper Rick Ross ‘The Man of the Year”, I thought that I would in turn point out some of his most lifestyle-centric recordings that just happen to contain the word ‘music’ in the name. Whether he raps about the finest things to drive, smoke, or the gangster mentality, Ricky Rozay details what can be attained through focus, contemplation, and hard work (*puns galore, this post!). In a year where the titular Teflon Don caught a few losses in the media (Namely that 2010 VMA’s stunt with the scooter and the Nike ‘BOOM!’ commercial) he can definitely claim this as a ‘W.’ Apparently, it’s all just part of the life of a BAWSE (*I warned you!).
I now present for your aspirational enjoyment, Rick Ross’ Best Songs with ‘Music’ in the Title. Scream at me!
—————————————————————————————————————
“Cigar Music (I Do It)” (Featuring Masspike Miles) [2009]
Skylerized States: Over textured strings, Masspike Miles lends Rick some R&B flavor to balance the gritty, mafioso rhymes.
—————————————————————————————————————
“Cigar Music 2” (Featuring Game) [2009]
Skylerized States: By comparison, Ross’ lurid, metaphoric lines over driving piano keys and no other instrumentation defeat an inebriated Game’s seemingly infinite intro and ‘ehhhh’ words. Could Nas have saved the West Coast rapper from further ethering himself on Ross’ smoked-out sequel?
—————————————————————————————————————
“Maybach Music” (Featuring Jay-Z) [2008]
Skylerized States: Long before he agreed to be half of the Bugatti Boyz with Diddy, Rick Ross enlisted Hov to rap about (depending on the model) a vehicle that is probably a paltry fifth the base price of the Bugatti Veyron (Ballin’?). Anyway, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League provide those extravagant beat patterns to match the sophisticated piece of machinery mentioned during the track.
—————————————————————————————————————
“Maybach Music 2” (Featuring Kanye West, T-Pain, & Lil Wayne) [2009]
Skylerized States: Okay, okay, okay….Ye’ annihilates this track. Weezy drops his spaced-out, pause worthy “sitting in the…” line amongst other gems we have come to expect from him. T-Pain’s Auto-Tuned crooning actually registers as electro-funky soul. As an improvement on the original “Maybach Music,” displaying a more nuanced, complex arrangement that affords each artist his own set of instruments, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League produces a bona fide jam. With this many cooks, however, I think that Ricky hungers not for excelling on his own track, but for something completely different.
—————————————————————————————————————
“Maybach Music 3” (Featuring T.I., Jadakiss, & Erykah Badu) [2010]
Skylerized States: Officer Ricky learns his lesson from the sequel and saves his verse for last this time. He figures that even T.I. (Who should now be known as ‘The Idiot’) would bring fire, Jadakiss obviously would scorch the track, and the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League would round out the “Maybach Trifecta” with their patented jazzy panache. Even Erykah Badu’s tired self sneaks up and sets a smooth vibe to the tune. Ross finishes gloriously, projecting a street king who can display both his battle scars and spoils with equal aplomb.
—————————————————————————————————————
“Aston Martin Music” (Featuring Drake & Chrisette Michele) [2010]
Skylerized States: Ricky Rotund usually supplies some of the best lyrics about gourmet food…not here. The KFC double entendre around the 2:37 mark makes me think of the KFC Double Down. Otherwise, Drake helps to bring a bit of classy swagger akin to the automobile of the song’s namesake and Chrisette Michele’s appearance on this track is actually a blindingly clear example of irony. As radio and television stations (as of this writing) keep this song in heavy rotation, I wonder whether Ms. Michele sincerely cared about that weeping B-Girl from The Roots’ track featuring the songstress and Wale. Oh, well, I wish more power (and money, of course) to them all!
—————————————————————————————————————
“Mafia Music” [2009]
Skylerized States: This track ignited possibly one of the most surreal, comical (i.e. the “Officer Ricky” sketches) beefs in the Hip-Hop realm. Rick Ross must thank Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson every night when he kneels to pray for keeping his name in 50’s multi-hundred million dollar mouth (No “PAUSE”, “Ayo!”, or “No Homo” disclaimer is necessary. It’s just true). The Inkredibles frame a somber, organ-drenched canvas for Rick Ross to paint his grimy meets glitzy lyrics. Despite never reaching any of the Billboard charts and without any features, chorus, or bridge, this may be Ross’ best single to date and the song that could define his entire career. Trilla!
—————————————————————————————————————
“Mafia Music 2” (Featuring Chrisette Michelle) [2010]
Skylerized States: With this follow-up, I anticipated appetizing leftovers but only digested sloppy seconds. Rick never offers the lyrical bite of “Mafia Music.” The production is sleek and streamlined, but it just sounds slightly better than “Maybach Music.” Chrisette Michele, though she vocalizes throughout the song, seems almost forgettable with no chorus to intone. What’s the track’s only saving grace? The hope that there won’t be a “Mafia Music 3!”
—————————————————————————————————————
You can also check out Skylerized in his own web series, Skylerized: The Web Series