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Deeper Than Rap definitely begins on a high note with the probing “Mafia Music”, acting as a great introduction while Ro$$ throws barbs at 50 Cent (“Curtis Jackson baby mama, I ain’t asking for a cent / Burn the house down, gotta buy another / Don’t forget the gas can, jealous stupid motherfucker”). Next up is “Maybach Music (Part II)”, the sequel to the original version that featured Jay-Z. This time, he enlists Kanye West, T-Pain and Lil’ Wayne and while the sequel is not as great nor soulful as the original, the trio make up for that with sheer charisma as the song oozes energy courtesy of Kanye’s egotistical bars coupled with Lil’ Wayne’s shallow attempts at being clever (“All black Maybach, I’m sitting in the asshole”) and delusions of grandeur (“They see the Biggie, see the Jay, the 2Pac in him”).

The album’s mellow mood continues with “Magnificent”, as Ro$$ continues to paint the lavish lifestyle he lives while enlisting soulful crooner John Legend for hook duty. “Usual Suspects” continues Ro$$’ string of strong album cuts as he goes head-to-head with one Nasir Jones, who in turn shows why he’s “nasty” as well as showing traces from his immaculate debut.

“Rich Off Cocaine” features more production by the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League as well as a guest appearance by Avery Storm, but what shocks the most is that Ro$$ gets conscious with arguably his best bars on the album: (“Vacation to Haiti, it nearly broke my heart / Seeing kids starve, I thought about my Audemar / Selling dope ain’t right, I put it on my life / Chickens put me in position to donate the rice”).

Ricky Ro$$ closes the album with “Valley of Death” and the blaring horns of “In Cold Blood” with the former featuring Ro$$ finally addressing and explaining his past as a correctional officer over a thumping backdrop courtesy of DJ Toomp: “Only live once and I got two kids / They’re for me to feed, damn I’ll get two gigs / I’ll shovel shit, I’ll C.O. / So we can bow our heads and pray over the meat loaf”.

Deeper Than Rap is another extremely strong effort by Rick Ro$$, which features few missteps throughout the album. Similar to Young Jeezy, Rick Ro$$ continues to lyrically step his pen game up (“Kimbo Slice on the pad when I write”) while also enlisting The J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League to produce the majority of his album. While Deeper Than Rap is stuffed with many guest features, only those closest to him seem to hinder Ro$$ (i.e. Gunplay on “Gunplay” and Foxy Brown on the God-awful “Murda Mami“). Deeper Than Rap certainly delivers and stands as another excellent notch in the (large?) belt of “the biggest boss that you’ve seen thus far”.

4 mics (out of 5)

Written By Rakeem Johnson

I go by the name of Mr. Genius. Undergraduate. Professional Writing Major, Psychology Minor. A future in corporate law on the horizon. Very abstract - usually thinking outside the box. A bit unorthodox. A lover of music; specifically Hip Hop, R&B and Neo-Soul, but I'll listen to anything once. Catch Me at YK2Daily.net or on Twitter (@Mr_Genius23)

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  • k-med
    lil wayne will never be mentioned with frank white or tupac shakur. i lost all respect for the dude after he dropped the carter 3
  • Black Ink!
    Are you all kidding me? Maybach Music Part 1 is definitely hotter than part 2. The God Hova ripped it to death and Ross definitely stepped his game up. I am no Ross fan but part 1 can not be touched even with all the cameos in part 2. Part 2 didn't feel as synchronized as part 1 and the production seemed rushed. Part 2 proves just because you put four hot artists together does not guarantee a high caliber song. Period! As for the albumn he dedicated to much energy and track time to 50 cent instead of making incredible music!
  • rap
    no bad...
  • ualrdyknw1
    lol, indeed Maybach Music part 1 was much much better than part 2. Jay came with it on the first one and Ross outdid himself the first time around when you compare the two. Solid album, although I think I like Trilla better.
  • Karbon
    "while the sequel is not as great nor soulful as the original"

    Are you kidding me? Part 2 is 1 million times better than part 1. Best song of the year.
  • ..... IMPOSSIBLE.

    Jay-Z's verse >>>>> Maybach Music II
  • FredRico
    Guy who brings a pop album (808s & Heartbreaks) into a hip hop conversation is not only delusional, but plain stupid! -.-'
    Review is mostly accurate, especially for enlightening people that although there are a bunch of features, they're merely there to serve the music, while Ross stands on his own.
    Now I'd like to see 50 Cent come with something better instead of lame cartoons.
    As far as what's comparable go, the song Ross got with Robin Thicke is better than the one 50 got with him.
  • AnonoRoss
    " coupled with Lil’ Wayne’s shallow attempts at being clever (”All black Maybach, I’m sitting in the asshole”) and delusions of grandeur (”They see the Biggie, see the Jay, the 2Pac in him”)" Why try to kill your own credibility? You pointed out the 2 worse lines in the rap, but neglected some obviously clever, non-trivial raps. Don't play yourself...please
  • Where did I kill my credibility? The whole verse was weak if you really want to get technical, surely not deserving to be in the same sentence as Biggie, Jay or Pac. Period...
  • jkown
    it's not really "delusions" of grandeur if wayne is actually living a life of grandeur...
  • When I stated "delusions of grandeur", I was referring to him deserving of being in the same conversation as "Biggie, Jay and 2Pac", not the life he lives.
  • who?
    I agree with review. Guy that said this is like 808's only worse is delusional.
  • killaKap
    my boy told me the album was decent....nothing great...good review man. i wonder if 50 gonna have a better album
  • KRyPT
    wow are you serious?

    i thought this was one of the worst albums i've ever heard ever... and i liked his first two

    this is some 808s and heartbreaks shit, only worse, MUCH worse
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