Rick Ross is a point of contention among Rap music fans. He
has been criticized for a lack of authenticity and street credibility since
2008 when photos of a young Ross working as a correctional officer surfaced. Those images conflict completely with the drug
kingpin of Miami image that Ross has built for himself, going as far as to
adopt the name and characteristics of real life Los Angeles drug trafficker “Freeway”
Rick Ross. Despite the arguments of authenticity, Ross has become one of the
largest figures in Rap music. With each album he has built a finite image of a luxuriant
lifestyle with a cinematic scope that could easily soundtrack a film about the
rise, and eventual fall, of a major cartel boss.
The two years since Rick Ross released his last album,
2010’s Teflon Don, have seen the
rappers reach and presence within the game grow. His Maybach Music Group
imprint label has acquired new talent, signing Ohioan backpacker Stalley, R&B
singer Omarion and rapper everyman Rockie Fresh, as well as released two
compilations, Self Made Vol. 1 & 2.
Earlier this year MTV named Rick Ross the hottest MC on their annual list, and
he released his Rich Forever mixtape
to much critical acclaim. With his stock rising, Ross has capitalized on the
moment and dropped a summer blockbuster of a fifth album, God Forgives, I Don’t.
