after all the drama, ross finally releases his third studio album, deeper than rap. i was never really a fan of him before, but trilla had some great songs on it, all things considering. i’m not a big fan of the lying and faux bravado, but if the beats and rhymes are tight, i’d probably listen. maybach music I still kills part II, though.

review after the jump.

-deeper than grizzly

Artist: Rick Ross
Album: Deeper Than Rap
Record Label: Maybach Music Group/Def Jam
Release Date: April 21, 2009

Rick Ross may have come up with one of the best marketing schemes to promote his album. Calling out and dissing 50 Cent was one of the smartest things a rapper trying to sell records could’ve done in his position. Despite it spawning one of the most embarassing and outlandish diss tirades in hip-hop history, Ross seems to have prevailed after releasing his third studio LP, Deeper Than Rap. After all, this is about creating hip-hop music, isn’t it?

And honestly, what better way to kick off with “Mafia Music,” the song that started all his drama? Mafia Music is a fit description of the style of both the song and the album, encompassing the mafioso bravado that Ross has displayed throughout his career, however exaggerated it may be. Coming off of the street success of the first “Maybach Music,” which featured the always inspiring Jay-Z, Ross recorded the sequel, “Maybach Music Pt. II.” This song is the “Swagga Like Us” of 2009, as Ross enlists Kanye West, Lil Wayne and T-Pain on the song, in which case there isn’t much else to mention.

Rick Ross has always had a very sophisticated taste in production, evident on the handful of collaborations with The Runners and The Inkredibles. And no different than 2008’s Trilla, Ross teams up with producer team The J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League on four songs, and not one disappoints. From the vibrant string arrangements on “Maybach Music Pt. II” to the soulful flow of “Rich Off Cocaine,” there’s no surprise that the team are Grammy winners.

As most hip-hop albums are, Deeper Than Rap is a collection of high profile guest spots. Nas doesn’t disappoint as he delivers the finest 16 bars this album has to offer on “Usual Suspects,” which also holds the album’s most memorable hook sung by newcomer Kevin Cossom. Other notables include John Legend on “Magnificent” and The-Dream on the lady-pleaser “All I Really Want,” set to be the album’s next single.

The guest spots are not always a good thing and are often times an indication of filler. For one, Trina’s vulgar and obnoxious guest spot on “Face,” and Foxy Brown cringe-inducing “Murda Miami” are definite examples of this. Robin Thicke is sure to annoy you with his faux-falsetto on “Lay Back,” an unoriginal and boring number that everyone has heard a variation of before. “Gunplay” and “Bossy Lady” round off the five-track consecutive streak of throwaways on the album.

One of the album’s defining moments is the one-two punch of the closers “Valley of Death” and “In Cold Blood,” both of which are some of Ross’ most introspective works to date. He touches 50 Cent and other detractors and even addresses the highly publicized issue of Ross being a correctional officer.

Where the album falls short and flat, it makes up for with production and some of Ross’ more refined lyrical work to date. He’s somewhat managed to come above the obvious obstacles of the 50 Cent feud, the correctional officer ordeal among others. And despite the overly ambitious album title, Ross manages to deliver his personal best album to date, but take that for what it is.

Grade: C+

note: i’ve had some time to let it sit, and i’m gonna bump it up a notch.

rick ross on myspace. (stream the album)

download:

rick ross – magnificent f. john legend

rick ross – usual suspects f. nas

music videos:

magnificent f. john legend:

the incredibly goofy ass homemade video for mafia music:

-deeper than grizzly