Rick Ross - Trilla
Released March 11, 2008
Rating 5.0 out of 10
Best 3 Songs:
The Boss Feat. T-Pain
Speedin’ Feat. R. Kelly
Maybach Music Feat. Jay-Z
OVERALL: This is one of those instances where an album comes out after the artist released at least two huge singles in which everybody from gangster to clubber to backpacker got on board with and then not have very much to offer when it comes to filling up 55 minutes worth of album space. Banging beats make up for 25% of the album. Notable guest appearances make up for another 25%. I’m afraid that’s all there is here. Next time, he might want to think about releasing either an EP, or an LP with first-rate club joints, like the ones heard here.
Biggest Negative: 1. Every rapper has their strengths and their weaknesses. Rick’s strength clearly lies in creating those club bangers. It’s when Rick tries to shift gears that he loses his forcefulness and exposes his dismal lyrics. Dragging out the words when rhyming then adding an echo effect over them isn’t fooling anybody.
2. I don’t care if Jesus Christ released an album and shouted out all of his closest peeps. If that’s the first thing I hear once I put in the disc, I’m hitting that >> button. Last I heard Rick Ross is not the resurrection of Christ.
Biggest Positive: 1. Ross’s lyrical game is of average ability, which is all that is needed when rhyming over such bass thumping joints as All I Have In This World, The Boss, Speedin’, and Reppin My City.
2. Astonishingly, Rick’s lyrical aptitude goes unnoticed when rhyming next to some very talented lyricists. For instance, on Maybach Music with Jay-Z, Rick shows that either he has the capability to step his game up, or just like with his club songs, his lyrics are of little significance. The same could be said for Luxury Tax with Lil Wayne, Trick Daddy and Young Jeezy, the latter of those 3 artists, while not my favorite, even comes through with some commendable bars.
3. On I’m Only Human, Ross comes mighty close to capturing the emotion felt on Tupac’s Changes. A befitting way to conclude any album. Any album that ends with a song that makes you want to listen to Pac is a good thing in my book.