Rating: NNNN
On his third and greatest LP, Miami hustler Rick Ross remains the same larger-than-life character he was on his breakout single, Hustlin’, from two years ago. He continues to rhyme his name with the word “boss,” rap about slinging cocaine and name-drop famous dealers. Slick R&B hooks from Auto-Tuners like The-Dream and T-Pain are still a mainstay.
[rssbreak]
He’s undergone professional development, though. His beats, luxurious horns and strings and deep bass lines are impeccable. And he’s finally moved past monosyllabic flows to express real emotion. What’s amazing is that he’s done this despite his lack of credibility – no small feat in rap. In the run-up to this release, 50 Cent leaked a sex tape of Ross’s ex-girlfriend and frequently reminded us of Ross’s former career as a corrections officer. (Damaging for someone claiming to be the biggest drug dealer in south Florida.) Deeper Than Rap triumphs over this authenticity deficit and is among the best rap albums so far this year.
Top track: All I Really Want
