Rick Ross

Rich Forever

BY Aaron MatthewsPublished Jan 17, 2012

As a teaser to Rick Ross's long-delayed fifth album, Rich Forever provides fans with more of the same: 20 tracks of the Teflon Don luxuriating in repulsive, yet compelling, excess over superb production, backed by an all-star cast (John Legend, Diddy, Drake, Pharrell). "Triple Beam Dreams" provides a compelling contrast between Nas's conflicted corner boy reflections and Ross's gleeful ignorance. "Keys to the Crib" taps the luxurious soul of Ross's last two records, backed by an excellent Styles P verse. "Stay Scheming" cops an old Nas hook and icy synths to make room for Drake's thinly veiled Common shots and French Montana's zooted crooning. Trim the sub-Luger bangers like "Yella Diamonds" and "I Swear To God" and you've got an excellent EP to hold you over until God Forgives, I Don't.
(Def Jam)

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