Rick Ross-Rich Forever 10 years later
My favorite trend in Hip Hop ever is when artist make their mixtapes sound like albums. This surprised me out of Rick Ross because he sounded more like an album rapper rather than a mixtape rapper. Rich Forever dropped on 1/6/2012 which embarked those to hear about the lavish life the boss is rapping about. Rick Ross signed to Def Jam and drops Port of Miami in 2006 which became an cultural influence for all southern Hip-Hop. Combining drug tales, cartels, along with materialistic items, Ross has been self-indulgent into the productivity of the fancy things money can buy.
Rich Forever showed growth and this is the mixtape that put Rick Ross to his higher standards. Previously releasing Albert Anastasia in 2010 along with Ashes to Ashes in 2011, Rich Forever made them mixtape releases from Rozay sound like there is a story.
As we dig track by track, there would be a time where these song’s takes us to a place or rather into a scenario where everything is gangster. No broke individuals in the crowd and everyone you are surrounded by got money.
- Holy Ghost- Rick Ross talking about how he is getting money but is being chased by the Illuminati which is a rumor that was made up to bring a darker side of these artist. The stereotype is that if you make over a certain amount of money, you are Illuminati which is not true but Ross to me is saying something different. Maybe he is referring Def Jam Executives as the devil as he says do not let them in. Maybach Music Group (MMG) was blowing up and maybe he is saying that as well to show that he owns his own independence.
- High Definition- Rick Ross turn up typical song with him preaching about wealth.
- MMG Untouchable- Maybach Music meets Elliot Ness = MMG Untouchable. Can’t relate if you have no history of the mob
- Yella Diamonds- Clever wordplay about jewelry and money.
- Fuck Em Feat. 2 Chainz & Wale- A song for the haters as 2 Chainz steals the spotlight with his clever funny wordplay.
- London (Skit)- Ross knows how to make his albums sound lavish. Skit’s like this made this super natural to describe Rich Forever
- Rich Forever Feat. John Legend- Ross disses Jeezy and this was one of those beef’s that should have not of happened. Taking jabs at Jeezy questioning why they would push his album back made Ross patronize Snowman’s creative control with his music.
- Triple Beam Dreams Feat. Nas- Nas is a legend and a song with Rozay brought back the old Nas Escobar we grew up listening too.
- Mine Games Feat. Kelly Rowland- Coming off her success with 2011’s smash hit, “Motivation”, Kelly landed a spot on Rich Forever’s Mine Games as Ross tries to please his woman audience with lavish gifts.
- New Bugatti Feat. Diddy- The two pair should of made that collaboration EP like they were supposed to but I guess things happen for a reason. Diddy, I wanted to hear more of him because back then, I assumed Ross ghostwrote for him on his songs but now the album is not coming, we will never know.
- Keys to the Crib Feat. Styles P.- After this, why did they never come out with a collaboration album together. That does not make any sense to me.
- Last Breath Feat. Birdman & Meek Mill- Like what Ross says, “I am balling to my last breath” which gave us a sense Ross will stunt until he dies.
- I swear to God- A homage to Ross himself as he swears to God he will do what he can to be successful
- Off The Boat- Going back to classic Ross ways, off the boat is talking about how Ross is still smuggling but comparing dope to his music. A clever entendre for a song.
- King Of Diamonds- Strip club anthem for the King Of Diamonds or a theme song for those throwing money on the dance floor so the strippers can pay off their college loans.
- Ring Ring Feat. Future- A ringtone for when the money call’s
- MMG The World Is Ours Feat. Pharrell Williams, Meek Mill, & Stalley- The team is MMG and Pharrell is singing the hook. Rozay can do whatever he wants.
- Party Heart Feat. Stalley & 2 Chainz- A song of celebration and freedom
- Stay Schemin Feat. Drake & French Montana- The rule in Drake beef is make sure you have French Montana with you. In that case, Common and Drake were beefing and Ross put together a song that made two artist go at one another as he steps aside and counts his blessings as French recounts his come up.
- Shaheed Reid Speaks- Def Jam’s A&R speaks as Ross closes out Rich Forever.
Overall
Ross solidified himself as a house hold name when it comes to records and selling out shows. Ross knows the rules of the game and he is intelligent and that is why he dropped his 2012 mixtape, Rich Forever. The investment’s and wealth Ross talks about makes him wealthy and he is trying to inspire those to get themselves rich. He does not believing in working but believes in owning things like a business to keep his stocks high.
Rick Ross is a progressing rapper who keeps dropping music to sharpen his skills. The more Ross talks about money and wealth, the more I want to read Wall Street Journal and learn about stocks. Rich Forever is a classic because of the content the album has and it is a motivation for those who are broke to save money and be rich 5 years from now.
Live From The Stove Top,
Andrew Kenekham AKA Druski Dru
