There was a little commotion a few weeks back in which super producer Metro Boomin shared a string of thoughts on Twitter voicing his opinions on rappers trying to copy Future’s career year. His Twitter tirade basically concluded with him advising rappers not to put out too many projects in such a short amount of time, because, unlike Future, there won’t be any quality in the quantity.
Sure, Future has had a great year, but if there is a discussion about rappers who deliver high-quality projects year round, then Rick Ross has to be mentioned. The self-proclaimed boss has released five substantial projects since the beginning of 2014 with varying degrees of effectiveness. This time, though, he mostly gets it right on his latest release, Black Market.
Black Market comes in the form of an official LP and serves as a follow-up to September’s Black Dollar mixtape. However, his most recent release prior to Black Market was the Renzel Remixes, which were a collection of remixes, freestyles, and throwaways.
For most rappers in the game, dropping three projects in one year seems unfathomable because, well, what else is there left to rap about? Fortunately for Ross, 2015 continues to be an eventful year right until the end. Issues with his fiancé, his MMG cohorts, and the law all keep Ross’s year full of stories and inspiration.
It has become general knowledge that Rick Ross’s pen game has significantly improved. There has been such a drastic improvement that one might say Ross is modern Hip Hop’s most improved emcee, save for a few inglorious missteps. He has developed leaps and bounds since Port of Miami and on Black Market, you can hear it louder than ever.
He has become such an improved lyricist that it is no longer his guest appearances that make him shine. People used to look to Ross for a thundering chorus or quick 16 about money, women and power but nowadays, Ross is at his best when he is solo on a track. His longer, more intricate verses are becoming more exciting to listen to. Luckily he brings both skills to this album.
Although an unconventional structure, Ross has six songs solo songs in the middle of the album, bookended by six tracks with featured guests. The solo songs flex Ross’s ability as an actual rhyme slinger whereas the featured records showcase his natural collaborative spirit. A vast majority of the time this would make for poor album flow, but even after the first play through, it works.
“Free Enterprise” starts the album with John Legend, which is a solid start but, honestly, it sounds like it’s been done before. There is a handful of Ross featuring “male R&B singer” tracks that we all have on our iTunes; most of them following an almost identical arrangement. On the other end of the spectrum “Sorry” with Chris Brown is the album’s best-featured track and perhaps the strongest on the album. The transparency is unlike anything we’ve really heard before from Ross. Subliminally, opening up about his recent relationships makes for a smooth listen with a meaning. “Temporary thrills, all these women you think I tossed / My feelings genuine, disregard what you see on blogs” is a refreshing break from the usual player-pimp persona he exudes through almost all his music. In fact, all of Ross’ collaborations are top notch. Future, The Dream, Mariah Carey and a few more all bring their best to the table perhaps as a coincidence or perhaps due to Ross’ aptitude in two-way music making.
If you asked Hip Hop fans to describe Rick Ross’ music up until a year ago, words like “turn up,” “big choruses,” “street anthems” and “simple” would all come up. Although this isn’t wrong, the Ross we are hearing on Black Market doesn’t fit all those categories. On that six solo song stretch, from “Silk Road” all the way until “Black Opium,” Ross is more of a bar-for-bar rapper than a turn-up rapper. Songs like “Python Crocodile” create a luxurious atmosphere that might want to make you feel like your Honda Civic is a ’62 Maybach. Whereas a song like “Color Money” gives Ross a chance to speak his mind on this summer’s Drake vs. Meek Mill beef – and it’s clear whose side he took, all of Black Market’s beats are triumphant yet smooth, opening up the perfect pocket for Ross to pour out some top notch rhymes. Saying Ross has totally reinvented his sound would be a little much, but there is certainly no “B.M.F.” or “Hold Me Back” sounding tracks on this album.
All in all, Black Market does its job. It doesn’t hit as hard as some previous albums, but it surely proves just how good Rick Ross can be as a songwriter and collaborator. It also proves how sharp he has become as a rapper. There may not be a thundering single that the album is built around, but, for the most part, Ross’s consistency fills that gap quite nicely.
This shit is trashhhhhhh. But at least my opinion just made every one laughhhhh
You probably would eat a guy’s whole asssssss
MMG in this bitch!
Solid score for a solid album. RUH!
one of us and sorry are the best tracks
These guys who do the articles are hilarious!!Most improved? Most fans expect a 16 about money? Lol He been a good lyricist since day one. His 16’s always have depth to themz
about as much depth as a pile of dinosaur shit
Not always. I like a lot of Ross’s stuff but he does a lot of verses especially features where he’s not trying and ends up with simple rhymes about his cash his cars and his women with lots of huhs and maybach music drops thrown on. But when he puts the effort in he’s most definitely a good lyricist ya dig?
Best release he as put out now my opinion
this is Ross’ best album to date, finally rapping about other shit besides flipping keys. i hear more growth in his raps.
biggest fraud we’ve seen this far about to have the biggest flop of his career
This is most definitely a dope album ya dig?
Solid album but dropped it in a bad week G Eazy just put out a banger with when it’s dark out it’s fire and he has a lot of buzz I would have waited a week to put it out
Who?
officer ricky has no classics and cant go platinum.. 50s g-unit mixtapes shit on this frauds albums
Refined my ass. It looks like it was quickly produced. Ross flow is suddenly awful and it appears backstabbing baby took a toll on his ability to rap
Definitely well put.. You as a listener can evidently here his growth in the lyrics.. The boss has unequivocally shut down the neigh sayers.. MUCH LOVE!!!!
Hands down Rick Ross’s best work since Teflon Don! Production is smooth and the album flows really well! His rhymes are engaging and thought provoking, thus making it a more complete album! The editor hits the nail on the head with his review! Spot on
UTRYRYRY
the album is better than anything curly has ever made
God damn why has Chris fake ass gangster who thinks he’s all blood get a peak on every album goin … Yeah he great down straight singer … But the daft Arse stupid m&@tha f£&kee don’t even deserve our time our hard earned coin to pay for muppet that thinks he’s all g thinks he’s bigger than those that made him who can’t even get to sing in any country… Made a name slapping women about n been a fake ass with saggy ass jeans … Stick him in the lbc, Compton queens Brooklyn where ever .. Never be elite
Ross’s best album since Mastermind…..Hood Billionaire was probably his worst album to me…All his other albums have been straight quality….Say whatever you want about dude…The music speaks for itself. 7/8 albums are dope to me. #Salute
yo is this fat faggot trying to rock the hat now? like you future nigga? fuck outta here.
No, the hat is rocking Rick Ross. Nothing else lol.
simply, fuck this fat fuck. i would rather listen to my mum taking a dump than listen to this shit. even if its good, i dont like the man and everything he stands for, which is how to make the most money, making shit music.
Why dont you take what you wrote and stick up your fag ass, u doucebagging hater.
Knuckleheads like you cant get your heads out of your asses.
Always using your ass to think and rationalize shit, that’s y u write shit.
This is a solid album from Rozay, u may not like him and what he stands for but u cant take away that fact, that he makes good music and more hardworking than the average cats you listen to.
i listen to hip hop everyday, i love it. people saying this is the album of the year is a joke, with great albums from oddisee, prozak, joey bada$$, the game, talib kweli, logic, paris, hopsin to name just a few albums that is better than this. i have now listened to this album, i normally do once ive had a joint and just listened to the music, not the person. its a 3.5, better than expected. but i agree with the dude above, nas would of killed those beats. but no way the best album of the year
oh and my mums dump smelled good too
Dope
Best Album of the Year… Easy!
Renzel aka Ross is on another level in the rap game giving the average man a glimpse into entrepreneurship, wealth acquisition, investment plays, luxury living, the art of war, and a boss mentality.
If you are not feeling Rick Ross’s Black Market album, your probably a broke azz f#ck boy with no ambition or goals. #Facts
KILL YO DELF!
OFFICER RICKY….foolin the general public again….LOL
Rye making an ass of himself on here. Eat a flabby dick. Rozay made a good album, that’s whats up.
i think people want Ross back on his Rich Forever shit, that was classic.
Ross making far more realistic music than 50 these days which is pretty hilarious. it should be the other way around.
You know ppl can say what they want about Ross and I agree with them, but I cannot deny that this dude be dropping some heat. I cant hate; ex: I dont like Kobe Bryant but I still give him credit when its do he is one of the greates bball players.
Wow 4 stars again. Big fucking surprise.
I respect the article but Ross is dope and always has been this album is crazy and silk road defines it all as the Boss says I DID IT ALL FOR YOU ( in my Renzel voice )
Rozay has always had a good ear for beats and although he may have improved lyrically, he really isn’t saying anything profound. His bars are always pretty much the same because his whole M.O is hollywood
Ross did his thing good album. Have to say he made me a fan because of this album. I was never a fan before. I am glad he decided to change up and get lyrical. I have to say though I think Nas would have murdered these beats
GOAT
I think I heard the beat or the sample from “Silk road” elsewhere. Can somebody help me?
Best album to date…but Team 50!
LAST 3 LPS FLOP,,,JUST BECAUSE U DROP ON WEEKS NOBADY DROPS A LP TO GET 1# SPOT DONT MAKE U HOTT,, WHEN 50 WAS HOTTTTTTTTTT HE DROPED WITH THE BEST OF THEM AND STOP WITH THE ROSS BETTER THAN 50 TALK ,,50 1ST 2 LPS DID THE WHOLE MMG RECORD SALES BY ITS SELF,THATS FACTZ GO LOOK IT UP, I AM A FAN OF MEEK,,WALE ,BANKS,DRAKE ,ETC ETC NOT HATING. P.S BIG SHOUT OUT TO DEFJAM FOR PUTTING OUT SOME HEAT THIS MONTH AND BUYING SOME OF ROSS RECORDS,,LOL
Dope!!!!!!!
Its cool to review the number 2 album and all but i want to know what DX thinks of #1 G Eazy