Rick Ross – Hood Billionaire

    Hood Billionaire is the second album of 2014 for Rick Ross. This stands in contrast to 2014s now well documented trajectory of A-listers holding back on their projects until 2015. Instead, Rozay is stepping out to the forefront with a project that is a diluted version of his initial 2014 offering Mastermind, which itself lacked the mythic grandiosity of his previous works. In that way, Hood Billionaire, offers itself as an example of good concepts that do not strike the chord they are meant to.  

    It begins with a sketch of two men attempting to dig up four bags of money at eight million apiece. The scene immediately sniffs of Martin Scorsese’s film Goodfellas where, driving in the middle of the night to go dig a hole for their fresh kill, the three amigos lay waste to the schlub in the trunk one final time before Henry Hill’s voice shoots through the fog and he says, “As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a gangster.” This, too, is Ross’s narrative. From Port Of Miami on down, Ross has been a different protagonist in different versions of that storyline. On the aforementioned he was a young Tony Montana, evoking images of rising through the ranks of Miami’s infamous cocaine cowboys’ with tracks like “Push It,” and “Hustlin’.” This imagery continued through to his 10’ magnum opus Teflon Don where he balanced his now enormous super-stardom with sobering introspection. The bombast remained (“B.M.F.,” “M.C. Hammer,” and “Maybach Music III”) but songs like “Tears Of Joy” used Cee Lo’s crooked tenor to connect to your humanity. It succeeded so well because beyond the singles, Ross was a person living the American dream. “Last night I cried tears of joy / What did I do to deserve this? / Young rich motherfucker, still uneducated but damn a nigga made it.” That album closed with “All The Money In The World,” where Ross drafted a song to himself, reminding him of what was important: his daughter, his lady, his journey to power and not the power itself. All of that is missing on Hood Billionaire. Instead, we get a caricature of a protagonist who feels, essentially, bored.

    The narrative of a man (perhaps his accomplice) calling from prison (perhaps because he took the fall) laces itself as the backbone of the album. But Ross never includes him in any of the stories on the records. Instead, it’s more of the same from Rozay: money, women, drugs and excess. “Hood Billionaire” may be the most egregious example of this, where his lyrics act as a listicle of pompous statements like, “I went and bought your bitch a washer and dryer / I see it in your son’s face I’m the one that he admires.” The rest is a lot of this sprinkled with more entertaining versions of itself. The singles “Neighborhood Drug Dealer” and “Movin’ Bass” featuring Jay Z work as the more entertaining copies of the title track. Though “Movin’ Bass” may be Jay Z’s least admirable work on a hook in forever, it still plods along satisfactorily. Then there are the high points. “Coke Like The 80’s” reminds you of vintage bawse, but lacks any real emotion, and it was just good to hear Project Pat’s voice on the very catchy “Elvis Presley.” “Phone Tap” is dark but elicits no real fear, unlike the Firm’s 90s masterpiece, and “Nickel Rock” featuring Boosie Badazz borrows Baddazz’ energy to make for a lively retelling of their coke-boy beginnings. The best song on the album pound-for-pound is the closer “Brimstone” featuring Big K.R.I.T. as it borrows K.R.I.T.’s pastor like ability to convey lament. The albums saving grace, though, is the production. As it features heavy hitters like Metroboomin’, Lex Luger, Timbaland, Beat Billionaire and K.R.I.T. himself. 

    Beyond those halved moments, the behind the boards wizardry and K.R.I.T., the album skips along predictably and offers nothing much outside of Rozay’s usual narrative. He drops George Zimmerman’s name strangely on “Burn,” almost as a way of speaking to absurdity. And that inmate making the call spends all of his time telling Ross how great he is, and how fantastic he’s done to make it where he has. The album, however, shows that the king of Maybach Music and one of the most prolific entrepreneurs in Hip Hop already knows. In an interview with the Breakfast Club Ross says this album would be the companion piece to Mastermind, and would be his Geechi Liberace.” Yet, it does not quite reach the lap of luxury of it’s designer.

    132 thoughts on “Rick Ross – Hood Billionaire

      1. I often wonder if the mental midgets who visit this site even know how to read. Certainly can’t tell by their spelling in the comments section.

    1. i felt the same way bout wen dude was on the phone talkin in jail… it sounded to fake like ross told him to say all that bullshit…them beats go in but wen i hear the lyrics, it jus make u laugh cuz u know its all lies…. another rapper we believe could of took them beats and smashed it… like a project pat or a boosie badazz

      1. its BLACK from Bobbie Boys. Not just a “guy”. Lame Ducks. Look man if you like NSYNC and that makes you happy then cool. But when you think you crossin’ Bawse because you dumb. Ciroc

      2. “its BLACK from Bobbie Boys. Not just a “guy”.”

        dont change the fact that he paid the nigga to say nice things about him. i mean hes a fucking famous millionaire rapper… what else he gon say… why it take ross 7 albums to get the nigga whos life he raps about to speak on him

      3. Look dude you talking about Kenneth Williams bobbie” someone worth $80 mill tax free on a bad day. You throwing dirt on Infamy, Legends, & Pioneers. Shame on you stop cupid bc you starting to make daddy mad !!!

    2. Fuck y’all hatin azz niggaz. This 305 in dis bitch! Where Curtis at?

      Oh yeah thatz right. I made him cry. What,! boy? WE WINNIN!

    3. No (C)rappers went platnium in 2014 because the lyrics are for the hood the hood dont buy much. Crapper write lyrics likea drop out, get a ged or hooks on fonic to improve and maybe you might reach more buying fans. Dont limit your writings to the hood. There is 7billion people in the world est. But when you are not educated you just limit to hood music for hood dropout like you crappers that can’t go plat. sales. Hip Hop was murdered in 2014 the world had enough time to change it. Sales don’t lie.

    4. How many fuckin lame albums has def jam let this tubby bitch put out in the last 5 years while one the best mc’s of all time has been on the bench??? WHERE THE FUCK IS JADAKISS – TOP 5 DEAD OR ALIVE ?!?!?!?!?!?!

      1. Kells super “G. Its all good he got too many hits to count. Plus he had o’girl first fresh slab Aaliyah she was like 16 tear dat ass up. #100

    5. And the trend of bad rap albums in 2014 continues. Cant wait for 2014 Forest Hills Drive to swoop in & save the day.

    6. MMG til’ infinity. 06′ – 14′ Maybach aka Teflon just way 2 trill. Got every drop RR + Self Made 1, 2, 3… Stalley Ohio was on that Lac’ 150 spoke “ish cup leanin mean mug. Man make dissh will brief. Haters stop wastin’ time invest in improving your life, bitter fu@! boyz. Roszay gonna keep dropping classiks you know BOSS ! what’s wrong with these sick puppies? eh ” Ni&$@ got 501’s White Ice gum bottoms Reeboks Rolex Dwell over 100 karats. Hoodbillionaire another plaque notch classic. Boss da realissh’, ni@$$ that’s hating got disease sik in da a$$ hell the doc can’t save these sickt bitter puppies. MI Yayo Dade 305 Triple C Def Jam MMG DGK DC BCG WingStop Belaire RocNation Letz Go ! Niggaz got DONKZ worth more than ya MAMMA and them dirty hoes you broke ugly dirty Jordan wearing niggaz, Rozay you da BAWSE these niggz just retarted bandwagin ridin, we drive dose.

    7. Shit your trap Backstreet boii, Rozay making hits wit’ Puff sorry “96 is gone ni@&$ tryna poor salt on the game #FREEMEEK #MMG #FOHUNNITT

    8. He should have waited to drop this album. The singles that I have heard so far just sound rushed and terrible. Guess I won’t waste the download.

    9. Sheesh! these nerds who write these articles need to stick to MF Doom albums and comic books and leave the rap reviews for people who are intimate with the music like the DJs and the artists, nerds try waaaay to hard and end up sounding lame and goofy, the NY Hipster that wrote this terrible article needs to stick to retweeting Iggy Azelia.

    10. he probably could have made 1 solid album with this and mastermind, but at the end of the days he would still be a lying fraud

    11. ross always drops on mondays so he gets an extra full day of sales to boost his first week numbers. hes gonna need it this week going up against shady or the honkie as officer rawse would say

    12. another woefully sad album that is full of falsehoods, fake bravado, and imaginary friends he doesn’t have..its sad when you as so insecure about who you are that you have to steal a persons name,his entire life, etc, and wont even be honest about the fact that he was a simple working male prior to his rap career; not the billionaire drug dealer he professed to be.

      1. you’ve got a lot to learn buddy. Be careful what you wish for sir. Just becaue other ppl throw stones in a glass house don’t mean you have to dammit. #EMPIRE

    13. I fuck with “real rap” like Kendrick, J Cole, Vince Staples, etc. and old school shit like Kool G Rap, DMX, Big L and Big Pun and underground like Tech N9ne, RA the Rugged Man and Immortal Technique but I also fuck with Rick Ross. This album wasn’t nearly that bad, it’s more like a 3.5 or 4

      1. hope your not selling D because your scale off. Any MC you just endorsed is not cut from the same cloth as Rick Ross #CHROMEMACK11 No pun RIP Big Pun + Big L

    14. I fuck with “real rap” like Kendrick, J Cole, Vince Staples, etc. and old school shit like Kool G Rap, DMX, Big L and Big Pun and underground like Tech N9ne, RA the Rugged Man and Immortal Technique but I also fuck with Rick Ross. This album wasn’t nearly that bad, it’s more like a 3.5 or 4

    15. You squares want understand hood billionaire rozay talking that talk on some very good beats only the streets gonna fuck with this album like that. Coke like the 80, phone tap, trap luv family ties, nickel rock, brimstone & wuzzup or very strong cuts. This is a hood classic but imma give this 4 out of 5 overall.

      1. Kenndrick Lamar is just for now. He’ll be lucky to make it out of 2015 still a revelant artist. There’s only a select few kings Rozay is one. Hey everybody can’t hold they liquor. #BOXCHEVYONBLADES

      2. Bastards is taking it backwards. If you say this is just 4/5 star rating for a “hood classic” what “hood classic” album is a 5/5 star rating now not from 5, 10, 15 years ago? #MAYBACHSEASON

    16. I fuck with “real rap” like Kendrick, J Cole, Vince Staples, etc. and old school shit like Kool G Rap, DMX, Big L and Big Pun and underground like Tech N9ne, RA the Rugged Man and Immortal Technique but I also fuck with Rick Ross. This album wasn’t nearly that bad, it’s more like a 3.5 or 4

    17. yea it depends on more than just rap, its about how you swag but don’t get it twisted Rozay stay in the deck. Some people ride Chevy SS’s some ride Nissans feel me ! #7TREY #HOODBILLIONAIRE Dis not Taylor Swift its BAWSSE ! now go 2 your room and color. # PHONETAP #HOODBILLIONAIRE

    18. Wussup, family ties, nickle rock, phone tap, neighborhood drug dealer, coke like the 80s, burn were all banging… thats 7 songs nowawdays you lucky if you get 4 good songs in a cd. Beats are all CRAY!
      LASTLY
      If we as a black community don’t support our OWN who will? Im all for keeping the black dollar in the black community. If you saying what does his cd have to do with anything, well look at what hes doing outside of rap also. People rioted when Ferguson happen how about taking their “rap god” down this week.

      Rozay would be #1 if eminem wasn’t dropping.

      1. You right, but blacks don’t see it that way. All they care about is being REAL Rozay is making moves. Im copping the album cause 1 its a banger 2 im tired of them saying a white man is the rap god

      2. Salute. We must remain militant and take no shorts from knowbody. Hey the President is black so is his kids and wife white women still actin like hoes wet backs still border hoppin. My point is this jealous are weak, Rozay is an example of being the best. No matter what anyone does someone somewhere will try to justify a positive with a negative. Will never have another Rick Ross just like there will never be another Jordan. Look at Kanye Air Yeezys Kim K over 32 million certified units. The man is a holly ghost, listen to critics tell it Kanye is trash. The one that post all this hate stuff are those that are struggling w/ issues, but on the flip they not trying to look at nothing right bc they jealous by not paying respect ect. salute #MMG #LEVELS

    19. If we as a black community don’t support our OWN who will? Im all for keeping the black dollar in the black community. If you saying what does his cd have to do with anything, well look at what hes doing outside of rap also. People rioted when Ferguson happen how about taking their “rap god” down this week.

      Rozay would be #1 if eminem wasn’t dropping.A1

    20. I liked some tracks on the ‘Port Of Miami’ album. After a looong pause from listening to his albums, I picked this one up and let it play on my slow day at the office… Probably one of the worst releases in this decade, along with his other releases. Coke rap with no credibility, skills/lyricism and weak flow. Trap/dirty south production is also getting very unpredictable. No replay value.

      1/5

      1. 1/5 yea. You looking for circus music go pick up MJ Thriller or something. You want Happy listen to Skateboard P. Stop making comments bc you sound strange think life is just bubble and soda pop. #HATERS

    21. I liked some of the songs on ‘Port Of Miami’. Haven’t listened to his albums since… I bought this one and let it play through. Bad album, the same coke raps over and over again with over-produced Dirty South-beats with weak features. No replay value. There’s just isn’t anything to actually listen to.

    22. album so garbage wtf happen to dis guy he really feel he a hustler stop smoking dat loud drinkin dat rozay u bitch nigga

    23. Rich Forever (Mixtape) and Teflon Don (Album)
      Are his biggest achievements and they both are more street sounding 808’s and trap talk LIKE THIS ONE.

      This album follows that. Sounds Dope in the speakers!!!!!!!!!

      Hiphopdx hate on all his albums so this review is pointless

    24. Similar to Rich Forever (mixtape) and Teflon Don(Album) BOTH HIS BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Street ish 808’s and trap.

      Album sounds great in the speakers

      Hiphopdx cant separate different types of music and rate fairly.

    25. This is actually one of the worst hip hop albums iv ever heard. If i had the chance would give it a negative rating lol

      1. my thoughts exactly

        i got coke like the 80’s
        i got coke like the 80’s
        i got coke like the 80’s
        i got coke like the 80’s
        i got coke like the 80’s

        fuck outta here lol

    26. Rick was never good at making Concept Albums, just straight songs, to me all his albums are mixtapes so I never hold the bar to high for him. He makes good hits tho that you jam to, & that is all.

      1. Well Mastermind was a concept album, so was Port of Miami so was Rich Forever same with GFID. Hoodbillionaire is too. A nigga from da hood knows his roots, Chevy still stickin’. Hoodbillionaire is for niggas who put in work for gain. This aint Justin Bieber. Mastermind was actually edited to sound like a movie, the same concept for that of the Docs Chronic. Bawse knows what he’s doing, fuck selling out da’ hood for doelow. #MMG #FATBOY #THEGIFTED #WETHEBEST Rozay the BAWSE.

    27. Ross is done…

      boring repetitive hooks, boring mundane beats. His features didn’t do much to help with the exception of snoop maybe. In my opinion his best album was Deeper than rap. My respect for dude has gone to be honest. I don’t care about his past as a CO, I look for decent music and this shit is wack as fuck

    28. i thought HB was an excellent album, smooth transitions throughout the albums songs with wild beats & overall great tracks i feel like Ross delivered x100 great album, if they know was my favorite track, well crafted story to follow throughout the album, 5 stars, highly reccomend

      1. Can we slide on these h8tazz though Trav talk tell these tapon boys how its done. Rosay Da Boss. HoodBillionionaire wrist stay on chilli chill though. Why is any real person considered a fan of hip-hop gonna front on Ro$$ for dropping us 2 legit studio albums to his fans in less than 12 months, both got features with Jay-Z among other A-List artist. Rozay the beeesht. #WHITEHOUSE #MAYBACHMUSIC2 #911 #TRIPLEBEAMDREAMS #FREEMASON #INCOLDBLOOD #LUXURYTAX #HUSTLIN’ #9PIECE #300SOILDERS #600BENZ #IBEPUTTIN’ON #STACKONMYBELT #TRANSPORTER #MADEMEN #DEEP #MOVIN’BASS #50PLATES Hi Haters go fetch a bone limp phuKks. Shout out to da team nike air max LeBron SB Jordan VI though #100 #501 #CAZAL

    29. Dam 2.5 out of 5 that means they thought this album was pure trash not even a 3. Hood billionaire wasn’t that gotdam bad sheesh. Oh well fuck hip-hop dx this was a really good album.

    30. rick ross is out of concepts now. not that he ever had any outside of imaginery drug dealings, but the shit is sooooo played out now. the only thing holding rick ross alfoat is the beat selections, the beats bang. but his lyrics on those tracks are watered down and the same stuff we’ve heard before. def. his weakest album to date.

    31. I dont fucking care about his previous day job and I even consider Teflon Don a semi-classic but seriously this is wack.

    32. fuck that fat fag CO that shit is weak cept for 1 song just like master mind real hiphop is comin back slowly but surely!!!! dont yall see…. I never liked ross in the first place…. he was always one of those niggaz that i knew the radio was gonna drill on niggaz every hour on the hour to make you like his weak ass… then in this day and time niggaz say you a hater for not likin a weak ass nigga like rick ross so i save my self the arguments with people by kepping my mouth shut ross has never been a real MC to me and the fact that he aint even real makes it worse fuck rozay cause the real rick ross aint no fuckin rapper and definitely wasent no CO!!!!

      1. shut up foou’ you just made bc your boyfriend died. if you diss someone reassert your claim w/ evidence #throwyoursetsupmakeyourfingerstouch you saying shit about someone that has turned success into a hobby. your entitled to an opinion which is it. we talking infamy, ensemble, pioneer, legend. disrespect price tag ^$$$ #bloodmoney just who are we talking of bc Boss album just fucked the game up. #ROLEXKING

      1. by what agenda mate. Hoodbillionaire not flopping shit. The only thing flooping is your gums, you reject. Rozay even said himself “I’m already rich, i’m tired of being famous… done fucked so many bitches I can’t even name em’ NIGGA ! #FAMILYTIES #5number1albums #DEEPERTHANRAP #3KINGS #DICEDPINEAPPLES #HOODBILLIONAIRE #INSOMNIAC shout out my dog Mac Miller #DGK #NIKE #MMG #APPLE #BBC

    33. LAME BEATS
      BORING LYRICS … THAT LACKS ALL KINDS OF CREATIVITY
      ONE GOOD THING ABOUT THE ALBUM IS THE ARTWORK. DOPE ALBUM ARTWORK AND THATS ABOUT IT

      1. Hoodbillionaire is super banging, I’m still enjoying Port of Miami & Trilla. Really classics speak for themselves and don’t age. Pussy niggaz always gonna scratch a nigga paint. #MMG #BBB #OYSTERPERPETUAL, new info.. niggaz wanna see you sell out 2. wow guess the game don’t stop. #WHATGOESAROUNDCOMESAROUND #KISSMYPINKYRING #ELVISPRESLEYBLVD salute Weezy OVO GTV YMCMB 99PROBLEMS

    34. EVEN THE JAY Z SONG WAS LAME AS FUCK. THAT BIG K.R.I.T. JOINT THOU … BUT WHAT ELSE ? ITS KRIT … KRIT ON A WHOLE DIFFERNT LEVEL THAN THIS FAT TURD

      1. Wash your shit rag filthy maggot. Ay’ look man this album is for ush’ Maybach fans not bandwagoners Hoodbillionaire can you read, try taking a Political Science class or something go back to school Son. Rozay genius. Why would you want to enter a genre that you not from and no nothing about? Ross could put out another Deeper than Rap another GFID another Trilla another Teflon Don another Port of Miami another Mastermind guess what them all classics just like guess what Hoodbillionaire. Accept on this trip only loyal fans understand and RESPECT being humble. How many niggas gotta get stepped on for that dollar bills worth? The rap game about murder. I’m out !!! #MMGFOREVER #SELFMADE #RICHFOREVER #BIGGESTBOSSTHUSFAR #WARREADY #IMONONE #NOGAMES #NEWFLAME #IMEANIT #DEVILS’A’LIE #WEDEMBOYS #YACHTCLUB #DREFILMS salute my nigga Wale and that nigga BeatBillionaire #STAYSCHEMIN #SPIFFTV #WALKINGONAIR #KOD #SUPREME #THUGCRY

      1. yup, Hoodbillionaire is one of Ross’s more confident works. He’s not overshooting his mark but rather solidifying his marks/presence. This particular registry is Ross’ commitment for the next wave of tyrancy from the labs of MMG. In an interview w/ Sway last week on Youtube Rick was questioned of the intentions of Hoodbillionaire, in which was expressed that “nothing” to do w/ “Billboard”. Ross has seen some of the darker sides of the industry such as those events like an attempt of taking his life. Now good ol’ Rick lives in a 109 room estate accustomed w/ 30+ automobiles. Is CEO of a lable that houses some of hip/hop key” notables Meek Mill Wale Tracy T Fat Trel Omarian Yowda DJ Sam Sneak Stalley Triple C’s Rockie Fresh. See you in 15′ im out. #SelfMade4 #MMG

      1. shut up, you just lost your bookmark. #GETITTOGETHER #POURITUP #OILMONEYGANG #BUSTYOURHEART #LASTBREATH #FREEZEME #CIGARS #ALWAYSSTRAPPED #THISME #LOVEDRUNK #BLACKMANSDREAM #FOUNTAINBLUE #MONEYTOMAKE #POWERCIRCLE #BYANYMEANS #BIGHOMIE #KUSH #ANOTHERROUND #HUNDREDONMYWRIST #UONEO

    35. Bruthadee, who are you the FEDS. Gotta handle business protect the throne. From the haters. Double M. When you get that choke, niggas always talking about they got some better shit. Well why Double M corner the map for almost a decade? It’s questions that these jelous hating niggas is lying about. Enough said. Plus niggas gotta pay they way one way or another. Its certain lines not to be touched, either that or there will be severe consequences firing shots at the throne is one, crossing 5 star niggas is another. #WELCOMETOMYHOOD #JOHN #BMF #BESTNIGHTEVER

      1. You Chargin’ nigga right right. This shit hit everywhere especially w/ subs. #RISE #PACMAN #600BENZ #THISTHINGOFOURS Goes to show ILL ” what kind of filth trash niggas we gotta deal w/ when we hit the block.

    36. Ross gots one of the best flows in rap and definitely the best imagination. Its just to bad he’s never lived any of the shit he raps about. Makes it hard to be a fan of a fantasy rapper who’s an X cop, If you can look past that ross makes good music i give this album a 3.5 which is the highest rating I could possibly give a fantasy rapper.

      1. just ride for the highest cut. From Chevy to Rolls. Respect is not given it is earned. Rozay running #MMG impressive product. From Port of Miami to Hoodbillionaire Rozay + MMG = UNTOUCHABLE.

    37. This album doesn’t come close to what Rozay is capable of. Sounds like he had some tracks laying around and decided to just put em out.

    38. Wow, if this JMax dude isn’t on the payroll, he sure is a dic rider!
      Album is average. Nothing great. Just sad how so many will nut swing from a straight fake!

    39. smh….I wish Ross would/could expand, but he can’t. same formula different album. If you heard one Ross album you heard them all. time to turn the page.

    40. All You non street niggaz Go sit in the corner with your eyes closed and listen to J Cole. I’m burning a lot of gas while listening to this! Young Jeezy’s Seen it all still my shit.

    41. Garbage ass album , straight TRASH . It gets 1 star at best . real talk , no substance , no meaning , just bullshit about how much money he has mindless trash . fuck rick ross wack ass .

    42. GARBAGE ASS ALBUM FROM A WACK ASS RAPPER . RICK ROSS IS CORNY AS FUCK . WHOEVER PAYS F OR THIS IS RETARTED AS FUCK . 1 STAR AT BEST FOR THIS TRASH ASS ALBUM . FUCK RICK ROSS WACK ASS

    43. Hey’u haters Stop f*ckn crazy,stop mad at ross,ain’t u heard wht he lends on his verses?we ain’t gon’pretend he’s the boss only ohk!wuzzup

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