Rich Forever – Rick Ross Review
‘Being dead broke is the root of all evil’
Rick Ross proclaims on the opener of his Rich Forever mixtape. Nothing less than you would expect from Rozay, the king of escapism fantasy and luxurious raps. So is Rich Forever another lavish affair to confirm Rick Ross boss status and an appetising teaser for God Forgives I Don’t or is it a disappointing over the top mixtape that falls flat?
The opening track Holy Ghost it’s a rollicking introduction to the mixtape. Rick Ross and Diddy the featuring artist take on pastor like personas. Their testimony is not a typical one that you’d hear in church; instead it’s an ode to being filthy rich. With Diddy praying ‘Father, please protect me from brokeness’ and Ross declaring ‘Being dead broke is the root of all evil’. It’s over dramatic, outrageous but pure Rick Ross which makes it a hit.
The follow up to the riotous intro is High Definition. This is Rick Ross by himself, without any assistance. Rick Ross actually doesn’t need anyone else on the track, his lyrics are inspired and thrilling. Ross raps ‘Diamonds on my neck call it the ghetto’s guillotine’ , the lyricism is luxurious and exquisite. The production is also top notch.
The thumping production also continues for the next three tracks MMG Untouchable, Yella Diamonds and F*ck Em. Problem is the production is a little too samey and gets a little boring. The rapping stays competent until it gets a little clumsy on F*ck Em where Ross raps ‘IPhone and iPad, Air Max,’ the materialism gets a little tired because there’s no poetry or lustre to make it enjoyable.
After the three similar tracks, there’s London Skit. As a Londoner myself I find it bizarre Rick Ross chose London of all places for his skit. London’s bleak and gloomy and doesn’t match Rick Ross’ grandiose presence and music. It would’ve been more logical to set it somewhere a little more glamorous like Los Angeles. London Skit precedes Rich Forever the dreary monologue does no justice to the glorious triumph that is Rich Forever.
On paper Rich Forever is already a dream. John Legend’s soulful vocals and Rick Ross growl is just a match made in hip hop heaven. With John Legend’s dulcet vocals crooning ‘We gon’ be rich forever and ever…’ and Rick Ross in sombre reflective storytelling mode it’s a captivating track and the highlight of the mixtape.
So how do you follow up a success such as Rich Forever? Make the next track feature hip hop legend Nas. Nas features on Triple Beam Dreams a coke rap victory. Nas’ verse is concise, poetic and compelling. Nas’ verse packs a punchy social critique ‘I would be Ivy League if America played fair’. It’s always nice to hear social commentary in hip hop. Rick Ross’ verse is good, not as good as Nas’ but there’s nothing wrong with being outshone by Nas.
The following track is a collaboration – Mine Games but Ross doesn’t need to worry about being outshone here. The feature artist is former Destiny’s child member Kelly Rowland. It’s a generic mushy rapper featuring female R&B singer track which is unnecessary and boring. Rowland’s vocal sounds strained, and Rick Ross’ heavy breathing as he says ‘me and my baby girl’ sounds really silly. Definitely a low point on the mixtape and another unsuccessful drab You The Boss-esque track.
Rick Ross gets back on form after the underwhelming Mine Game with New Bugatti. Its like Holy Ghost again with the demonic beat and a Diddy feature. It’s a competent solid track. Like the next four tracks Keys To The Crib, Last Breath, I Swear To God, Off To The Boat which is typical Rick Ross boasting territory aided by featured artists.
Things do take a dip when King Of Diamonds come on. Kings of Diamonds is a bit brassy, shouty and has questionable lyricsm “Pop a chicken in that grease and make one into two, All these rides in my yard, my shit a carnival”. Ross hilariously pronounces carnival ‘carnivoo’ to fit in with the rhyme scheme.
Things get even odder and funnier in the following track Ring Ring. It’s another attempt at Rick Ross doing a ladies song which as always ends up bizarre and uncomfortable. 80% of the hook sung by Future is ‘ring ring’, that’s something you’d expect from a Rihanna song not a Rozay track.
After the oddness, the glitz and glamour return with the excellent MMG The World Ours. The track features Pharrell, Meek Mill and Stalley. It’s a lovely ode to rags and riches with Pharrell delivering the standout lyrics with a slick suave sophistication “Says the little boy that loves you, who had the ashy feet, Now I wear that ashy white suit out in Fashion Week”.
Rich Forever ends on a high with the last proper track Stay Schemin. Unfortunately Ross the track isn’t great because of his or French Montana’s verse it’s because of Drake’s verse which takes a jab at Common. Drake’s verse is so cold that Common had to reply with a diss track.
Overall Rich Forever is typical Ross fanfare which includes drugs and wealth rhymes. Ross stumbles at times with some tracks especially the ones that are meant to cater to ladies but he picks it up again when he’s at his ostentatious best. If Rich Forever is an appetiser for the eagerly anticipated God Forgives I Don’t… Lord knows I can’t wait.
Rating: 3.5/5
