ARTIST: Rick Ross
ALBUM: God Forgives, I Don’t
LABEL: Def Jam
RELEASE DATE: July 31, 2012
No Forgiveness
Written by Jeremy Weeden
Hip-hop’s supersized superstar Rick Ross is back with his fifth studio album, God Forgives, I Don’t. Over the past few years the Miami MC has made a meteoric rise to become one of the most popular rappers out. His Maybach Music Group label has seen signees Wale and Meek Mill rule the airwaves, and with Rick Ross being featured on songs by Nikki Minaj, DJ Khaled and Usher, it seems MMG is everywhere. Originally slated for release in December of 2011, God Forgives, I Don’t was delayed due to Ross having a bout of seizures which allowed for some changes to the album—but it was definitely worth the wait. Gone are past weak filler songs like the Minaj-assisted “You the Boss,” and the result is a much more solid album. Rick Ross has obviously matured as an artist as he gets deeper in the music industry and the growth is evident on the album as Rick Ross seems to have found a comfortable place where he is able to express different sides of himself.
Rick Ross has become a staple of hip-hop radio by giving the people what they want to hear: catchy hooks and rhymes over good production. He stays true to that formula on God Forgives, I Don’t, but also goes a little more in depth and has some offerings that fans of purer hip-hop will also enjoy. God Forgives, I Don’t has good beats, good lyrics and is a pretty good all-around hip-hop album. Rick Ross has definitely taken steps as an artist and touches on more topics on this album. God Forgives, I Don’t includes production from Just Blaze, Lex Luger, The JU.S.T.I.CE. League, Cool & Dre, Rico Love and other talented producers. In addition, the album also has an all-star lineup of guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Nas, Usher, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z and, of course, his Maybach Music Group signees Meek Mill, Wale, Omarion and Stalley.
The album has many standout songs which will suit fans of different tastes. “3 Kings,” a highly anticipated song featuring hip-hop legends Dr. Dre and Jay-Z, is one of the best. This Jake One-produced banger finds the three MC’s rapping about the life they used to live compared to the lives they lead now. As one would expect, Jay-Z steals the show with a free-form verse and lines like “I ran through that buck fifty Live Nation fronted me/They workin’ on another deal, they talkin’ two hundred fifty/I’m holdin out for three, two seventy-five and I just might agree/Ex D-boy used to park my Bimmer, now look at me I can park in my own arena.”
“Ashamed,” which samples Wilson Pickett’s “Shameless,” is a soulful ride through Rick Ross’s former life as he explains why he was a dope boy. Andre 3000 joins him on the 8-minute, laid-back track “Sixteen” for a lyrical journey down memory lane. Rick Ross holds his own against the legendary Outkast MC with jewels like ““Rolling like Mick Jagger, the women just get badder/ All I see is the money, Cream, Eric Clapton.” For those who prefer the more rambunctious, rowdy Rick Ross, songs like “Hold Me Back,” “911” and “So Sophisticated” are sure to please as well as garner widespread radio and club play.
God Forgives, I Don’t, strikes a good balance between songs that are straight bangers and songs that actually offer some food for thought. While Rick Ross is not trying to be Nas or Common, he is trying to open up a little more and at least talk about the other side of certain things like money and fame. God Forgives, I Don’t is one of the best rap albums of the year and sure to keep Rick Ross in heavy rotation.