By: Cedric Banton, SSNY Staff Writer
Recently, Ross has been a fixture on numerous hip hop joints, including Dirty Money's "Hello GoodMorning," and he's also remixed Rihanna's "Rude Boy" and Drake's "Find your Love" just to name a few. The general consensus is he's been crushing these songs. Accompanied by his "Albert Anatasia," big things were expected from Teflon Don. So with the blaring bass of Track 1 "I'm Not A Star," Ross sets the tone of what he attempts to deliver on this album. The hook is simple but highly effective in which he repeats the title and drags it out.
Ross being no stranger to controversy - with a checkered past of being a correction officer that he initially denied (lying ass nigga), now claims to be a Freemason on the song (featuring Jay-Z) where Hov brings life to the song stating his case against the recent attacks of rumors that he's a part of the Masonic Devil worshipping cult. Hov denies being a part of a demonic cult, but doesn't once deny that he's Mason (food for thought). Lines like: "I said that amazing, not that I'm a Mason" will pacify easy listeners, but broken down word for word, he's only worshipping the devil, so take it for what you will.
You can breeze through easily forgettable tracks like "Tears of Joy" ft.Cee-Lo (Side note: where have you been Gnarls Barkley?) where Green vaguely describes the struggle of success and being content. "MayBach Music 3" ft TI, Jadakiss and Erykah Badu (produced by Justice League) isn't as bad - its pretty much an overdone signature of Ross's representation of "Gangster Elegance." Jada and TI make it much more listenable as well.
The meat and potatoes of the album is tracks 5-9, starting with Kanye West produced "Live Fast and Die Young." Its bizarre hook and tempo is more than just a "808 & Heartbreak" rendition but it should have been Kanye West ft Rick Ross - Kanye outshines Ross on this song, where he discusses how his falling fame hasn't shaken his egotistical superficial swag in the least. Ross pretty much addresses the usual: cars and clothes while one line toward the end of the song addresses the actual subject matter of the hook.
It's the perfect set up for "Superhigh" (ft Ne-Yo), which could quite possibly be the best song on the album. Ross destroys every verse on this seventies themed track produced by Clark Kent. The Teflon Don paints a vivid picture of what its like to be rich and enjoy the pleasures of what money can give a person. Weaving his way through the sultry sounds of the guitars and bass, he makes it looks easy. Ne-Yo compliments as well as enhances the song perfectly. "No.1" ft Diddy and Trey Songz serves as a alley oop to the 2 hardest songs in the streets.
Rick Ross ft. Ne-Yo - Super High
Ross's ode to "MC Hammer" and BMF crime boss Big Meech (with the song "BMF" both produced by Lex Luger), Officer Ricky takes the life legendary rap star MC Hammer and smites it into the heavy bells and bassdrum of the beat. Lines like "I got 30 cars/whole lot of dancers/ I take them everywhere/ I'm MC Hammer!" pretty much sums up what Hammer was known for before it all fell apart for him. But the song doesn't diss Hammer, it praises the insane life he lived and how he technically paved the way for 'Ballin outta control'. "BMF" (Blowin Money Fast) sounds too much like MC Hammer, but apparently gets a pass not only from listeners who didn't want the last song to end, but also from Meech himself, who's doin 30 to life and loves the song too. Styles P who also is on the song, gives the gunplay Ross talks about, much needed gangsta indulgence. Both songs are too good to ignore.
Rick Ross - BMF
"Aston Martin Music" ft Drake and Chrisette Michelle shouldn't have made the cut on an album like this. Maybe this could've been slotted earlier on the album, but overall it seemed outta place. "All the Money in the World" ft the legendary Raphael Saadiq ends the album on a decent note. If you have the ITunes bonus track, "Audio Meth" featuring Raekwon, then maybe you'd agree that he should've replaced a few tracks with this high tempo Mobb Deep sampled track and good hook (oh well).
All in all, Rick Ross is a smart guy. He clearly doesn't mind being out shined on songs featuring other rappers, and uses them to enhance the subject matter that he clearly lacks in his song content. Teflon Don LP overall? Banger.
Hits: BMF, McHammer, SuperHigh
Misses: Aston Martin Music, Tears of Joy
Teflon Don is in stores now!
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