Rick Ross (feat. Drake & Chrisette Michele) - Aston Martin Music (Def Jam, 2010)

The latest single from Rick Ross’s Teflon Don, and one of my personal favorites. They tacked on Drake’s Paris Morton Music verse on the end as well - the video is supposed to have an underlying story (I guess of Officer Ricky loving a girl when he was younger, whose father owned an Aston, but wouldn’t let them be together? So he came back with an Aston and picked her up? Okay, sure), but fuck that, it’s smooth and features a couple dozen cars we’ll never be able to afford. It’s that Yacht music that’s become so popular in the last three years or so at its finest.

Rick Ross - Hard In The Paint (freestyle) (Internet, 2010)

The resemblance is uncanny.

Kanye West & Jay-Z (feat. Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver) - Monster (Roc-something?, 2010)

This is the first leak off of an upcoming collaboration EP between Kanye Tudda & Young Hov, featuring Ricky and Nicki (who Ye believes to be a monster? Hopefully he was referring to this song with that statement), as well as indie-folk band Bon Iver. The EP’s called Watch The Throne, and it said to include five-tracks. Honestly, I’m not that excited about this prospect. The idea of any new music from Kanye is always captivating, but I’m more worried about his solo music than I am about five songs with him and his Big Brother. Jay’s very hit or miss, mostly the latter, in his old age, and Kanye continues to show him up, again on Monster. Despite that, the actual song is good, although I’m not with the idea of these four rappers collaborating (I liked this more when it was just Ross and Kanye), and the inclusion of a folk-rock band is still rather unsettling, even though it works here. Fantastic production, as well.

Rick Ross - White Sand II (Maybach Music/Def Jam, 2010)

The sequel to last year’s White Sand that was featured on The Albert Anastasia EP gets a video, minus Triple C’s verses with the addition of a Diddy outro. Fair trade.

Young Jeezy - Death Before Dishonor (Mixtape, 2010)

I already expressed my feelings that Jeezy was going in on Rawse on The Real Blowing Money Fast, but this is even harder to deny. I think that Rawse bigging up Jeezy’s brother was probably the last straw for a rapper who values his credibility above all. When Jeezy spit i know Big Meech; the REAL Big Meech on the Hustlin’ (remix) four years ago, I never expected that four years and countless scandals later Ross would be the one to bring the BMF head’s name back into attention, only to get subliminals thrown at him multiple times by his one-time homeboy. Is this the beginning of a beef between Officer Ricky and the Snowman? A part of me feels that Jeezy may just be jealous because of the fact that the Boss got his push over at Def Jam, and is getting the publicity he feels he rightfully deserves for TM 103. Who knows how true all of this is though; we’re just gonna have to wait to find out. Honestly, it wouldn’t be good for business either way; they’re both on the same label, and they make good music together. I’d rather them stay acquaintances then just randomly start beefing, especially considering the fact that neither of them are particularily good at beefs. They both came up the losers (in my opinion) of their biggest feuds in their career, Jeezy with Gucci and Ross with 50, at least on the musical aspect. Although they may’ve rebounded with stronger careers, neither of them have really released any monumental diss tracks in their career (and yes, I’m including Stay Strapped).

Rick Ross (feat. Styles P) - B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast) (Maybach Music/Def Jam, 2010)

Amazing what a more experienced rapper can do with Lex Luger’s production; I praise both this and MC Hammer not long after the Albert Anastasia EP dropped, but focused more firmly on MC Hammer that day. BMF is just as dope, even if Jeezy one-upped Ross by getting the REAL BIG MEECH on his interpretation. I still think Ross kills this Luger beat; it’s not one of Ricky’s more lyrical-offerings these days, compared to someone like Aston Martin Music or Free Mason, but its wildly superior to Lex Luger’s most frequent collaborator. Styles P still sounds awkward as hell on this record, but despite that, I haven’t been able to get did I mention guns from Red Dead Redemption? 50 Cal, full clip extensions since I heard it a couple months ago.

Teflon Don in stores July 20th. There isn’t a bad song on it. Good job, Ricky.

Rick Ross (feat. Curren$y & Wiz Khalifa) - Super High (Remix) (internet, 2010)

Maybach Music x Jets x Taylor Gang. Three of my favorite rappers at the moment (two of whom have albums out in the next two weeks), and this is as a good as a smoking anthem as you’re gonna get in 2010. This remix should be on Teflon Don instead of the originally; oh well. Teflon Don, July 20th; Pilot Talk, July 13th.

Rick Ross (feat. T.I., Jadakiss & Erykah Badu) - Maybach Music III (Maybach Music/Def Jam, 2010)

God, this track is impeccable. Teflon Don is going to be a problem.