Rick Ross "God Forgives, I Don't"

Even though I felt he was a little overrated, I still respect “the (other) boss.” His last album helped me gain more respect for him, but it was this album that made me more of a fan. The 59 second  “Pray For Us” sets the tone for the album in what sounds like a bada—intro. 
They declare themselves as “3 Kings,” and with their careers and these verses you cannot deny them that, but like Jay Z says “It’s just different.” To be honest, I could not tell that Dr. Dre dropped the first verse, until I paid more attention. I am not ‘Ashamed’ to say that Rick Ross gives another reason he’s called “The boss;” writing about his past and his present with instrumentals recalling production values of Michael Jackson. Like every preceding entry in the series, “Maybach Music IV” does not fail to impress with its instrumentals, verses, or guests; this time it may be only one person, but it’s Ne-Yo.                                                      Rick Ross and Andre 3000 run with an interesting concept; the shackles when it comes to the structure of the song. “Sixteen” bars may not be enough, but being constricted causes them to be more creative; the song could just as well be on an Andre 3000 solo album. Ross takes the trip to “Amsterdam” by himself, but like he says: these (I hate that word) won’t “Hold Me Back.” The latter is a definite song of persistence, and frustration; you can hear it in his verses and his delivery. He cares not for the haters, but he still hears them, and proclaims they are all p******.  Could not have said it better myself: “How we rose from the sewer, funny now I’m the sh**/N***** ain’t gettin’ money, but they got an opinion.”                           No disrespect to “the boss,” but these verses aren’t “So Sophisticated.” Success does grant people bragging rights and talking about sex, I guess, but I prefer verses not about that sh**; Meek Mill also makes an impression. “Presidential” features a soulful sound, the vocals of someone who sounds like JT (Ellijah Blake), and “Her shoe game remarkable/I feel solely responsible.” Get it? HA. GREAT! It doesn’t even sound like Omarion is singing the chorus; I thought it was Bruno Mars. I’m surprised the beat on “Ice Cold” doesn’t melt the song, or Omarion’s  vocals. “That was stupid.” I don’t need to tell you what “Touch’N You” is about, or what mood the song sets. Usher and Omarion also join in for the fun, but this isn’t a four-way; is there a joke I can make in three ways? No. I like “Diced Pineapples,” but I prefer to eat them in chunks because that is what I’m used to. They are so sweet, and the song is not so bad either; Drake sings the hook about making love until the feeling is right, and Wale is featured in the song too. ‘Ten Jesus Pieces’ is the perfect denouement to the record, and brings it all back to where we began, with its saxy instrumentals and real verses that might make him proud; shout out to Stalley as well. There are some rap-related sins on this album, but no one’s perfect. So check it out! It’s worth it!