Rick Ross – Rather You Than Me (Album Review)

Time and time again, Rozay has provided fans with this style of music that blends street music and orchestrative-like production, creating a sound that makes you feel like you got your money’s worth from him. What I usually don’t expect from a Ross album however is controversy, and you get plenty of it on this new album.

TOP 5 SONGS

5. APPLE OF MY EYES

‘Apple of my eyes’ is the first track on the album, and it follows Rozays history of making these emotional tracks that he opens up about his life on. The song is filled with emotional instruments, and because of this, Rick Ross lightens up on his aggression.

Content-wise, Ross talks about his come-up, and the lessons he learned throughout his success. I know many think he is a fraudulent individual, but I can’t help but approve of his honest words here.

Once again, Raphael Saadiq provides the boss with a phenomenal R&B feature. I’m not sure how old he is now, but he still has this youthful sound vocally. You can tell Saadiq gave his all on this track, and it sounds perfect for the emotions of the beat.

This song will be remembered for Rozays line about giving Meek advice about Nicki, but I think it should be acknowledged as a very damn good song firstly.

4. LAMBORGHINI DOORS

This song reminds of the days Ross and Meek would go back and forth on some real s–t, which is something as rap fans we didn’t get enough of. Much like Bleek and Jay, Ross and Meek have this big brother/little brother relationship that brings out the best in both of them when they collaborate.

3. TRAP TRAP TRAP

‘Trap Trap Trap’ is the trap version of ‘Beep Beep Beep’ by Bobby Valentino.

This track is mean guys! Rick Ross nails the chorus, as he provides this gritty sound that he used to do from back in his chorus killing days. Lyrically, he is as confident as he has ever been, as he raps with this swagger that lets the listeners know that he is still running the trap game.

Thugger and Wale are polar opposites, but on this song they both spit hard! Of course they have different subject matters on the song, but that’s what makes it dynamic right? Thuggers jumpy sound is appealing, but I think Wale’s MC heavy approach is what shines most on this song. I feel like when Wale decides to spit bars, he can spit with the best of them!

2. I THINK SHE LIKE ME

‘I Think She Like Me’ is the type of song that elevated Rick Ross in the past. The beat follows the boss s–t he’s used to doing, but there is this sprinkle of sensual to it that makes it a potential commercial hit.

Rozay doesn’t come weak on it at all, as he talks about the glamorous life he currently lives. His style might have wavered a bit to the public, but definitely not his confidence.

Ty Dolla Sign’s contributions are flawless! This s–t needed someone smooth on it, and Ty was just it.

1. IDOLS BECOME RIVALS

Much like Cole did Kanye on ‘False Prophets’, I’m not sure if this is a diss record or a wake up call for Birdman; nonetheless, it’s something very cringeworthy for all parties involved.

Rick Ross spills the thoughts of what himself and others think about Birdman, giving direct examples of Birdmans snakish behavior. I don’t think he sounds angry on the song, I think he sounds more so hurt about the man

There is no chorus on this song, allowing for Rozay to take shot after shot at Birdman for a long period of time (By the way, it’s shots that Rozay directly put Birdmans name on.). After listening to the track, you can’t help but hope this beef doesn’t turn violent.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

APPLE OF MY EYE (4.8/5)
SANTORINI GREECE (4.1/5)
IDOLS BECOME YOUR RIVALS (4.8/5)
TRAP, TRAP, TRAP (4.8/5)
DEAD PRESIDENTS (4.2/5)
SHE ON MY DICK (3.9/5)
I THINK SHE LIKES ME (5/5)
POWERS THAT BE (4.7/5)
GAME AIN’T BASED ON SYMPATHY (4/5)
SCIENTOLOGY (4.5/5)
LAMBORGHINI DOORS (5/5)
TRIPLE PLATINUM (4/5)
MAYBACH MUSIC V (4.6/5)
Summer Seventeen (4.5/5)

OVERALL RATING (8.7/10)

This is probably Rick Ross’s best album since ‘Mastermind’, because its probably his most personal sounding. To me, it seems like Rozay has tunnel vision on what he wants to accomplish content-wise, which makes for a consistent sound throughout.

Lyrically, Ross has been good even since his slippage, but it just seems like he sorta lost touch on what people wanted to hear from him; I think he goes back to that sound here, as he utilizes that Mafioso sound for majority of the album. All in all, the production is nothing short of stunning on this album.

Rick Ross has always had a bunch of features on his album, but back in the days he usually outshined his features; he doesn’t on this album, which makes this album at times feel like a compilation album. Nonetheless, the features sorta fit the songs they are on, so I don’t have too too big a problem with it.

I think this is a good album for the fact that it seems like Renzel (his third nickname) had something to prove again on it. I can hear the ‘Teflon Don/Deeper Than Rap’ Rick Ross on this album, and I think that will make lots of his true fans happy.