Review by NVus

Throughout the past year there hasn’t been a rapper in the game that has had to face more adversity than Rick Ross. The self-proclaimed “Boss” was face-to-face with some petty circumstances to overcome. From the accusations of being a former Corrections Officer, to beefing with the Infamous Drama King, 50 Cent, Ross looked to be down and out. Most rappers would have folded and never got up, but Ross somehow turned the tables and dug deep inside to unleash a Rick Ross we have never heard before.

His latest album, Deeper than Rap, is just that. He takes us on a journey through the good, the bad and the ugly life of Ricky. This is a very deep and personal album. On the song ‘Valley of Death’, he even addresses some of the allegations: Can’t criticize n***** trying to get jobs/ Better get smart young brother get yours/ Only live once and I got two kids/ And for me to feed them I get two gigs/ I shoveled s*** I CO’d/ So we could bow our head and pray over the meatloaf. But one thing is for certain, from the first song to the last song, you see a big improvement in Rick Ross’ delivery, flow and all around swagger.

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His first hit single ‘Magnificent’ featuring Grammy Award winning John Legend, shows the versatility of Ross as the song is getting air play all over the US. His underground hit ‘Mafia Music’, (which may be his best display of his newly found lyrical talent) has been buzzing all over and that song may have been the turning point as far as his pursuit of lyrical notoriety.

Songs like “Rich off Cocaine” featuring the New Jersey Native, Avery Storm and “Bossy”, featuring Ne-Yo, follow that “Magnificent’” type of sound. While tracks like “All I Really Want” and “Yacht Club”, featuring Reggae artist Magazeen, take Ross’ sound to a whole new level, they show more of the versatility of the Florida MC.

His album has some heavy features (as seen already above), but his best collaboration is ‘Maybach Music II’ (Produced by Justice L.E.A.U.G.E.) with Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne and T-Pain on the hook. Even though Lil’ Wayne’s verse hits the hardest, Ross holds his own against two of raps wittiest rappers. He even attempts the Bonnie & Clyde 2009 hook-up with a Foxy Brown cut called “Murder Mami” but fails to give it that same flavor Jay-Z had done in the past with the Brooklyn femcee. His album also features Nas, Robin Thicke, Trina and Gunplay which are all above average songs.

All in all, this album may be a surprise to his fans, especially since the “Everyday I’m Hustling” Ross. 50 Cent may have clowned Rick Ross and won the battle, but “Deeper than Rap” has definitely won the war. I always say you can always win a rap battle with good music, which Ross accomplishes almost effortlessly. Despite a few too many features, this album is by far Rick Ross’ best yet. This may be THE best album so far in 2009.