One can make an argument that since 2006, there hasn't been a more consistent and more hard working artist in hip hop than Rick Ross. Six albums, four compilation albums, four mixtapes and a endless number of hit singles and guest features. In such a short time Ross has already put together an impressive resume. It one of the reasons that despite not liking him as a legit MC, I am a fan because of the music and I respect his constant hard work and hustle. Again, it's hard to argue that he isn't one of raps top names right now on a success level. Anyway, it's come to a point now where everyone including myself pretty much expects a Rick Ross project to drop every year. Whether it's an album, mixtape or another Maybach Music Group compilation album. Well it's a new year which means a new project. This is Rick Ross's sixth album Mastermind. Now in my opinion, his best work was 2009's Deeper Than Rap. His third album. From a production stand point that album was damn near perfect. Catchy hooks and great guest features. An album I still listen too to this day. He's now coming off his fifth album, 2012's God Forgives, I Don't. Now that album to me was average at best. It was kinda up and down throughout the whole album and wasn't as consistent to me. I wondered where would he go this time around with Mastermind. Would that continue or would we get something along the lines of Deeper Than Rap. Turns out I got that and more. I was very surprised with this album. It was much better than I could have ever anticipated. When it comes to the production, experimenting with different genres, consistency and overall song quality, Ross went the extra mile here. He dabbles in everything on this album from R&B, to reggae, even some gospel. I always felt like Ross had a good ear for not only good production but for good music in general. It shows big time here. Best thing of all, nothing really over does it, Normally his albums sometimes gives you far reaching commercial singles and repetitive trap songs that get annoying after a while. Somehow this time he found a way to better all of that and put together a dope project. I'll now start with all that I liked. One thing Ross has always been quite consistent with is intro songs and it continues here with "Rich Is Gangsta". This is just Ross being typical Ross. Boasting about his rise to power and his riches. He loves going the extra mile with that whole rich mob boss persona that he embraces. The track was cool though. He even takes a jab at an old enemy: "for me to move on from here forward I need fifty/I ain't talking fifty cent neither nigga". Sounds like shots have been fired to me. Speaking of, there's a skit titled "Shots Fired" that leads right into the track "Nobody". This to me was the most unique song on the album. Here, Ross samples Biggie's Life After Death classic "You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)". Using the same exact hook which is done by French Montana, who did it quite well and made it sound more 2014 instead of 1997. But the unique part about this track was how Ross spits just like Biggie. Mimicking his flow and words he would actually use. Now for some, that would rub the wrong way considering most Biggie fans hate it when people even compare Rick Ross to Biggie (which they do a lot). I myself found it cool. He didn't over do it, it was relaxed and it was fresh. In fact, I think if Biggie was alive and still rapping, he would probably sound just like how Ross sounds on this track. Ross sounded like a older and more mature Biggie so that's why I say that. I could go on about this song but I'll move on. Great song. I told you he goes genre jumping on this album and he gathers Mavado and Sizzla for the reggae track "Mafia Music III". This was another one I enjoyed a lot. I just loved the smooth island/Caribbean sound of it. Makes you feel like you're maxing and relaxing on the beaches in Jamaica somewhere. I mean this song just sounds like summer time. Hopefully this becomes a single. The lead single "The Devil Is A Lie" I actually wasn't feeling at first when I heard it on the radio. But when I listen to it in context with the album it's not so bad. The beat is pretty good with the horns and all. Despite a lackluster verse from Jay-Z about absolutely nothing, the song is cool. "Blk & Wht" had one of the most addicting hooks I've heard in a while. After listening to this album I couldn't get that hook out of my head to save my life. The song as a whole is just okay but the hook is what makes me listen to it because it's quite entertaining. As usual, Ross always gives us a round of trap songs every album and to be honest, I kinda enjoyed all the ones he did for this album. "War Ready" with Young Jeezy, "Drug Dealers Dream" and "Walkin' On Air" with Meek Mill. They all were cool trunk bangers and he didn't over do it hook wise on any of them (like he did on the track "911" from his last album). I only had a few issues with this album and here they are. The track "Sanctified" was a complete disappointment. First of all, this is the gospel song I spoke of as it samples the soulful gospel sounds of Betty Wright. I loved it. What ruined it? A horrible hook from Big Sean and a even more horrible verse from Kanye West. Big Sean's hook started the song and just spoiled it quickly with such corny teenage sounding lines. Then there's Kanye West and....wow. His verse was just too awful for words. I mean he was rapping like Meek Mill. Meek Mill? Really?! It's sad because the old Kanye, say circa 2005, would have lyrically killed a religious themed track like this but nope. He sprayed his arrogant asshole lyrics all over it. A song that had potential but fell short. Ross should have did it solo. "In Vein" was the song for the ladies and it wasn't that bad. I just wasn't really feeling The Weeknd on it. He kinda tried to steal the show much like he did on Drake's "Crew Love". Should have got another singer for this one. Now he had a few interludes on here but one that was so hilariously stupid was the "Dope Bitch" skit. Two random girls, with very flirty and seductive voices, being interviewed about all the luxuries they love to buy. I just laugh because it's nothing really but two high maintenance, stuck up broads that see nothing but dollar signs. I don't like those kind of chicks so yeah, wasn't feeling that. In closing, this album totally took me by surprise. Rick Ross took his time with this album and got very creative with samples, beats and genre blending. I give this a surprising final grade of an A-. This may just be his best album since Deeper Than Rap. Hell maybe his best period. Like I said, no one in hip hop is more consistent with quality music that Rick Ross. It's why apart of me is a fan of his. It's hard not to admire someone who works hard and clearly ha passion for what he does. Would I put Rick Ross on a top ten lyricists list? Obviously no. But would I put him on a top ten overall hip hop artist list musically? Maybe. An argument can be made there as well. End.
Final Grade: A-
CREDITS
Executive Producers
William Roberts
Khaled Khaled
Sean Combs
Lead Artist
William Roberts
Lead Artist
William Roberts
Production
Sean Combs
Kevin Erondu
Michael Williams
Roosevelt Harrell III
Sharif Slater
Scott Storch
Abel Tesfaye
Kanye West
Dijon McFarlane
Erik Ortiz
Kevin Crowe
Kenny Bartalomei
Dwayne Richardson
Matthew Samuels
Collaboration
Karim Kharbouch
Shawn Carter
Miguel Collins
David Brooks
Jay Jenkins
Abel Tesfaye
Kanye West
Sean Anderson
Robert Williams
Dwayne Carter
Brad Jordan
Joseph McVey
Label
Maybach Music Group/Slip-N-Slide/Def Jam Recordings
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