Album Review - Teflon Don
It's interesting to follow Rick Ross' career. It's also to follow the hype of this album, Teflon Don. His album was pushed back to this tuesday by dealing with a lawsuit by the Real Ricky Ross. After surpassing the trial, he had rights to continue under his name. He also had to deal with his past coming about when the world found out he was a corrections officer. That fueled the conflict with an emcee that frequently deals with beef, 50 Cent. A lot of fans ultimately left because of distrust to him about his truth to his lyrics. Then we can talk about his affilation with P. Diddy. That's a whole other story. So hence it's his 4th studio album as he reps Miami once again. There's a lot of positive feedback on this album. So what do I think?
Well, it certainly helps making a sucessful project when you feature basically ALL of the best emcees AND singers the world has to offer. Jay-Z, Erykah Badu, John Legend, Kanye West, T.I., Trey Songz, Jadakiss, Styles P, Raphael Saadiq, Drake, Ne-yo are just the majority of the features on this record and ALL are in the forefront in some way(basically like how the Miami Heat was formed). But Rick Ross does deliver. He brought in the intro with force on "I'm Not a Star" but one record that should be granite is "Free Mason" with Jay-Z and John Legend. The way they intertwined their religious devotion to their success is mind-blogging but somehow easing. Also turned off rumors of Jay as a Mason. "Live Fast, Die Young" with Kanye West was a fun record that sounds a little futuristic.
Another thing to commend is the production of this album. I thought his last album Deeper Than Rap was hot. On this album, all musical elements was melted to lava. These producers (Kanye West, No I.D., Danja, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, The Inkredibles, Clark Kent, Lex Luger, The Olympicks, The Remedy) made a grand slam with this one as they made this record seems theatrical. The way you can appreciate the sound is almost the same lesson as going to an orchestra. The record to describe this the most is "Maybach Music III" with T.I, Jadakiss and Erykah Badu. The way the beat changes IS a movie.
For the streets, MC Hammer with Gucci Mane and his single B.M.F. with Styles P is a double dose to subdue. I just wish these two records don't sound EXACTLY the same. No. #1 with Trey Songz and P. Diddy looks better on paper. Even though the beat is fun, it sounds like the featured artists were uncomfortable on that record. All the Money in the world with Saadiq was a good concept. Some things are more important than money. One is telling Rozay to stop singing on the hook! lol
My favorite track? Aston Martin Music.......perfectly structured with Drake and Chrisette Michele. Not punchline heavy but you can listen to this record 5 times and not be bothered.
Overall, you see how Rick Ross stepped up. Punchlines are more potent but more noticeable you hear more hunger in his voice. Usually it's the opposite when an artist makes it. You may want him to talk less about money-related issues but he combines it with real life issues to make it more relative to the average listeners. Now you can put your negative opinions about and you have your right. But two things you have to accept:
One: He went to the top of the game, fell down for various reasons, and went back to the top, to the EXACT level of excitement. Only a Few artists did that
Two: He KNOWS how to structure a SONG. Something you can listen to in the future.
He may not be the Real Rick Ross.......but in this case, he is a valid artist.
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