Rick Ross - Trilla: Album Review
Rick Ross, Trilla (Def Jam, 2008)
Rick Ross burst onto the scene a couple of years ago with that song "Everyday I'm Hustling," or whatever it's called, which turned out to be one of the first really big ringtones in hip-hop. He's more of a Jay-Z than a Soulja Boy though, complete with the almost certainly made up tales of his drug dealer past. If only he could rap better.
TRILLA INTRO
Ross brags about having kush and lean on his breath and shouts out a buncha drug dealers he probably never met.
ALL I HAVE IN THIS WORLD
That same song Mannie Fresh has been making for the same few years now. Way better than that T.I. one. Admit it southern rap people, all sorts of things > Rick Ross > T.I.
THE BOSS
The single they put out when people didn't seem to give a shit about the one with R. Kelly. It's no "Buy You a Drank." In fact, it would've been way better (so to speak), with no T-Pain.
SPEEDIN'
The single with R. Kelly. I'm surprised it didn't become any bigger than it did. This album probably won't have a hit on the level of "Everyday I'm Hustling," or whatever it was called.
WE SHININ'
One of Ross' more inspired raps, for what it's worth. But this beat is way too "celebratory" for my liking.
MONEY MAKE ME COME
Sort of a Florida rap "Me and My Bitch." Not nearly as unintentionally humorous as it could have been. Look at its title, fer chrissakes.
DJ KHALED INTERLUDE
That annoying-ass Arab blathering about how he's the best or whatever.
THIS IS THE LIFE
R. Kelly > something bad happening to your junk > T-Pain > Trey Songz
THIS ME
DJ Toomp, who probably gets more credit than he deserves for that one T.I. record, attempts something similar here. It's pretty lame-ass.
HERE I AM
Rick Ross raps quite a bit about tricking on this album. At one point, he refers to it as "temporary love," which might be the genius stroke of his career, such as it is.
MAYBACH MUSIC
With his personal appearance, he must have a hard time scoring for free, even though he's somewhat famous. I wonder if those girls from that Plies "Bust It Baby" video would have sex with him for free?
Since I'm sure a lot of people are interested, I should note that the Jay-Z verse on this is one of the better things he's done in ages.
BILLIONAIRE
Rick Ross really ought to consider lying so much about how much money he's made from dealing drugs. Imagine how much more effective it would be if it was in the least bit believable.
LUXURY TAX
You thought an entire LCD rap album was gonna go by without a Lil' Wayne guest rap? Nigga, please!
REPPIN' MY CITY
Take "Everyday I'm Hustling," replace the chorus with the phrase "I be reppin' my city," and give it a few budget Timbaland-isms, and you've got "Reppin' My City."
I'M ONLY HUMAN
If you were like me and wondering if this is a rap version of the Human League classic, you'll be pleased to know that it is. Yes, really. It sucks though. They dispensed with pretty much all of the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis-isms and replaced them with Florida rap-isms. As if!
COMMENTS: Again, I find myself wanting to give an LCD rap album a semi-recommendation, on the grounds that there's way worse stuff out there that kids are listening to. I don't think I can though with this album like I did with the Fat Joe album. As was the case with his first album, there's some really slick southern rap-style production on this, as well as several high profile guest appearances, but Rick Ross is just too much of a joke as a rapper.
BEST TRACKS: "All I Have in This World" "Speedin'" "Maybach Music"
BONUS VIDEOS: Rick Ross interview
Rick Ross goes to Ireland
