Introspectives with Cleopheus Williams an Angry Blaq Man: White House to Sonia Sotomayor critics:

March 18, 2009 @ 9:12 pm

It was all fun and games last night until Rick Ross turned on the music. With selected media gathered in the theater of the Tribeca Grand Hotel to preview his third album, Deeper Than Rap, “Officer Ricky” jabs peppered every punch line (allegations of the coke rapper formerly being a correctional officer have long been confirmed), and while the anticipation was high, the expectations were low. Then the Bawss walked through the door wearing a shiny gold track jacket and white linen pants. Cue laugh track.

But Ross was unfazed. Settling into a seat in the front of the room with an Ace of Spades bottle close at the hand, he pressed play. The rest was no joke.

With a montage of classic gangsta flicks—Belly, Scarface, Blow, New Jack City, and others—lighting up a screen behind him, Ross ran through nine solid tracks backed by multi-layered and rich production provided primarily by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and The Inkredibles. He opened with “In Cold Blood,” a proud cut about the realization that wealth isn’t only measured in dollars and cents. “Money don’t mean nothing / Why they calling me rich?” he raps over a kicking bass and horns. Next up was “Usual Suspects,” featuring Nas, who delivered a stellar verse (“And still my talent is yet to be challenged”) that set the tone for the guest appearances to come.

But it was “Maybach Music Pt. 2” that put all doubts to rest. The cut, featuring Kanye West, T-Pain, and Lil Wayne, surprisingly lived up to the hype. With a combination of heavy synths, tumbling drums and a smooth saxophone laying the bed, Wayne and Kanye put it down like they’re known to do. But it was The Bawss’ own lyrical improvement that turned heads. “Used to be the Oldsmo / Hoes called it Olo / Now I got so many horses / Bitches call me Polo,” he spits between West and Wayne’s verses. The song drew cheers from the press.

Other potential hits included “All I Really Want,” which features The-Dream on the hook and Ross showing off a faster than usual flow to seduce a sexy co-ed, and “Cigar Music,” which is supported by screaming strings. By the end of the night, one thing was certain: feud with beef-master 50 Cent and “Officer Ricky” jokes aside, Rick Ross is on pace to make his best and most complete album yet. He knows it. And soon hip hop fans will too.

Brad Wete

Deeper Than Rap (Def Jam, 2009) arrives April 21.

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