GOD HELP US

                Rick Ross God Forgives I Don’t Maybach Music Group Release July 2012

"When I don’t like a piece of music, I make a point to listen more closely."

                                                                                                 -- Florent Schmitt

I’ll start with a side bar:

I remember the days when kids (including myself) were afraid to do something that our parents’ would find out.  The motto of that day was simply, don’t embarrass your folks – kinda see where this is going?

When I was a kid, I used to throw rocks over a backyard wall.  If you ever lived in the Bronx you would understand that throwing rocks was like our version of the “Special” Olympics.  Naturally, I got caught and trust me, my head was way too big to be wrongly identified. I just prayed no one would tell my Uncle Eric.  Of course they did and that was the begining of the “closing ceremony”. 

Rick Ross, I sure wish you would've had a chance to meet my uncle.

Now let's get to the LP. Let’s say you were forced to (literally) choose between two teams of music artists.  



A "Tribe" birthed from the same struggle will never be divided

 

Team A: The Advancement of the Cultural

Team B: The Detriment of it




When commerce trumps The Game its the culture that suffers

 

I honestly believe even biggest Boss fan would have a hard time believing that Ross’ lyrics are nothing short of a reality series gone wild – thus making him a staple on Side B (no pun intended). However, if the cultural conversation involves bubbly, Benz’, and Bitches (with no parental advisory) well it’s hard to argue that anyone in the rap biz today goes “harder” than Rick Rosiey.  Here’s hoping he knows the difference between a compliment and an occupational hazard fact. Personally, I have reached the conclusion that without cars, crimes, & clubs, Rick Ross would be a really hairy mannequin.

If you are a fan of lyrical emcees you’ve probably stopped reading, but if you are a fan of equality and balance thanks for staying tuned.  I love music (Duh!!) and before I dismissed anyone for any reason I wanted to first LISTEN to the artist, then make a clear and accurate determination. 

This album was NO WHERE NEAR as horrible as I thought it would be.  It’s important to note that my expectations were slightly lower than the London odds on your grandmother winning the Gold in the Summer Olympics. But, the LP isn’t the worst I have ever heard.  And as long as Waka Flocka Flame continues to record, Rick Ross can rest well.

That fact, notwithstanding I would NOT have accepted a free or burned copy at gunpoint. I did however, do some extensive research and listened to the entire CD to (either) confirm or challenge my initial apprehension (something I have been praying that pro-Barack supporters would do).  As I digress.

Let me start with what I liked:  The music on this CD is really very good.  The production and some of the beats are simply marvelous.  In fact, I would purchase an instrumental version of the entire CD – ok so “purchase” is strong, but the gunplay wouldn’t be necessary if I did.

Andre 3 Stacks and counting...

“Sixteen” featuring Hollywood’s newest “Outkast” Andre 3000

This single is simply BANANAS!!!!!! The concept of needing more than 16 bars to tell a story is not going to challenge anyone’s cognitive dissonance, but this single would’ve have rode comfortably on ANY of the Outkast classics. A-3 stacks took a break from filming the Jimmy Hendrix bio pic to write the song, sing the hook and punctuate the strings. Andre is on another level – and cemented on the A Team. What frustrates me about Rick is, if this song is any indication of his lyrical skills then he is willing participating on Team B (the destruction of the culture).   And that really pisses me off!  I mean, at least we all know that anyone that is willing to answer to the name Waka Flocka Flame has already given up on the culture; on any semblance of relevance; he has given up on S.A.T. scores, and books with no crayons. In fact, I may have to create a whole new team for people like him.  Big Boss Ross has significantly more potential (I think).  Personally, I liked Ross better as a correction officer, even if his ex wife – the 50 Cent puppet – didn’t.

“Diced Pineapples” f. Wale & Drake

This is another example of putting $300k drapes on a project window, with the July Christmas lights on.  The music is cool, but trying to make sense of the lyrics is the equivalent of waiting for one of the VH-1 “Single Ladies” to sustain a meaningful relationship.   The song was inspired by a Ross doctor visit and the result was the suggestion of eating more fruit.  Draw your own conclusions.

"I Love My Bitches"

This is why kids throw rocks.  I truly believe this song is the missing plot to Hip Hop Wives of Atlanta – and clearly the absence of hands-on parents.  Again the music is cool, but the very loosely-termed lyrics are reprehensible.  Ross’ “self examination” conundrum on whether or not (and I quote) “he is a narcissist/because he wakes up to a bowl of lobster bitch” just makes choosing cultural teams that much easier. 

"3 Kings" featuring Dr. Dre & Jay-Z

 Let’s start with changing the title.  How about Two Men and a Baby.  I hope ‘Dre invested wisely.  He was never one to dazzle you with his rap rep, besides that fact it sounds like Ross wrote his line anyway – neither of which matters -- or helps.   Once again the music is good and Jay’s verse confirms two things:

a)     No matter what you think of Hov, he is clearly not wack (yet).

b)     Blue Ivy passed the blood test.

If you like Rick Ross, you will love this CD and there is clearly something to be said for giving people exactly what they want – even if what they want is a left hook.  The Miami clubs will be blazin' to this for the rest of the summer even if Sasha and Malia won't.   

I sincerely hope the first half of the album title is correct; if not waiting on line for this CD would be sillier than a first date at a San Francisco Chick-fil-A.

I’m here to tell you God forgives and so did my uncle.

1 love,

Ray Lewis