The Boss has a very impressive catalog.
5. Port Of Miami (2006)
I love putting debut albums near the top of lists, but I just think Rick Ross sounds a little too raw in this one.
Around Deeper Than Rap is when I feel like Rick Ross really became an elite rapper. If you listened to Port Of Miami, I don’t think you would’ve seen that coming at all.
In Port Of Miami, I feel like Rick Ross sounds just a little too wet behind the ears. Also, the beats he raps over just sound a little low-quality. Despite all my complaints, I do think the album is an interesting listen. It highlights the Miami drug dealing lifestyle in an authentic way, while also featuring a few classic records like “Push It” and “Hustlin’.” But I want to repeat: Rick Ross sounds extra green on this album.
Favorite Tracks: “Hustlin,” “Cross That Line,” & “Hustlin.”
4. Trilla
“Trilla” is easily Rick Ross’ second-most slept-on album.
I think people forget that Trilla exists because it lacks a plethora of memorable songs. It’s actually Rick Ross’ album with the least streams. As a matter of fact, it’s crazy that it has been out for 15 years and some songs on it don’t even have 500k streams on Spotify.
However, I believe Trilla serves as the calm before the storm. Throughout the album, we catch glimpses of the confident Rick Ross we know today, along with improved beats compared to Port Of Miami, high-powered features, and a reduced presence of Carol City Cartel. In my opinion, Trilla walked so Deeper Than Rap and Teflon Don could soar.
Favorite Tracks: “Maybach Music,” “The Boss,” “Here I Am.”
3. God Forgives, I Don’t (2009)
“God Forgives, I Don’t” is Rick Ross’ best album title.
I don’t know how many people remember Rick Ross’ dominant run from 2009 ’til about 2013. It was impressive as hell. Though he was on his way down when God Forgives, I Don’t came out, he was still on fire.
In God Forgives, I Don’t, Rick Ross did as much experimenting as we’ve ever seen him do. In songs like “Sixteen,” he tried to go wise bar for wise bar with Andre 3000, in “Maybach IV,” for some inexplicable reason, he only went toe to toe with Ne-Yo, and in “Touch’N You,” he tried to turn his sexy on to 100 with Usher. Ross also managed to find a way to get on a track with Dr. Dre and Jay-Z (I’m pretty sure he wrote Dre’s verse on it too). To make a long story short, a lot of the songs on this album have unique structures and not-so-simple rap styles.
This is Rick Ross’s most slept-on album by a few miles.
Favorite Tracks: “So Sophisticated,” “Hold Me Back,” and “3 Kings.”
2. Deeper Than Rap (2009)
“Deeper Than Rap” is my favorite Rick Ross album.
Nothing sounds better than an album by someone who has something to prove. Before making Deeper Than Rap, Rick Ross was engulfed in a beef with 50 Cent that was messy as hell. He also was exposed to be a CO. With his back against the wall, he created, at the time, his best project to date.
In Deeper Than Rap, Rick Ross rapped like the second-coming of Biggie in some tracks, while in others, he seamlessly merged his rugged style with pleasant singers such as John Legend and Robin Thicke to create truly enjoyable R&B-hip-hop bangers. Oh yeah, I forgot, he also established his dominance by creating a few diss records and gangsta-ass tracks here and there.
I remember being laughed at when I told some friends that this album was good. Man, s**t is aging very badly for some folks.
Favorite Tracks: “Mafia Music,” “Maybach Music II,” and “Magnificence.”
1. Teflon Don (2010)
Is “Teflon Don” a classic album?
Rick Ross gained confidence during the making of Deeper Than Rap, but he fully became a rap savant during the making of Teflon Don. Around the time the latter came out, everyone got used to hearing Rick Ross call himself a boss and tell us how big he was; this album validated both claims. Throughout it, Ross did major work over grandiose instrumentals, got to link up with legends, and established himself as an artist who can make hit drug-dealing music (“B.M.F.” is one of the most popular drug dealer-inspired tracks of all time). He also showed a penchant for creating complete, multi-layered records such as “Live Fast, Die Young” and “Tears of Joy.” Aside from everything that I just mentioned, I think it’s one of Rick Ross’ only albums that doesn’t have a bad song.
Favorite Tracks: “B.M.F,” “Aston Martin Music,” “Free Mason.”
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
