Harajuku Lovers

Mastermind by Rick Ross (CD, 2014)

Description: Not one to evolve at any rate above a snail's pace, Miami rapper Rick Ross is gloriously stuck on gangsta rap, having found a simple yet seemingly secret formula that no other hip-hopper has been able to steal, at least not for more than a single or two. Mastermind -- Ross' annual stomp-and-swagger album, 2014 edition -- could be swapped out with 2009's Deeper Than Rap and only those burnt out on the album would know the difference, but when being stuck in a rut means you grind your wheels and all that spews out is gold, you only need to look to successful artists like the always funky James Brown, the always rockin' AC/DC, and the always stoned Devin the Dude for guidance. Always the same and always awesome is how Ross plays it, although to be fair, these clever street rhymes, the raspy and forceful delivery, plus the million-dollar beats are now allowed a little more room to roam as many Mastermind cuts pound past the five-minute mark. It makes the songs feel all the more epic, something that benefits the husky highlight "The Devil Is a Lie," a "crime pays" anthem with special guest Jay-Z, although the biggest monolith here is the Jeezy feature "War Ready," a claustrophobic battle cry that brings all the thrill and chaos of a Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, or even Mortal Kombat showdown. The challenges of living outside the law are addressed from beginning to end with "Drug Dealers Dream" representing square one ("Eating out of trash, sure do make you a killer"), while the Diddy-produced "Nobody" looks at the self-reliant and lonely life of a gangsta, all alone "Having sushi down at Nobu/Strapped like an Afghan soldier, and nowhere to go to" just because folks don't like that "My desire for fine things made me a liar." Variety is added when bad-man reggae enters the picture ("Mafia Music III" with Sizzla and Mavado) or the Weeknd give Ross a rare glimpse of elegant R&B heaven (harps and the pace of a Prince ballad power the great "In Vein"), plus the album is a bit more raw than previous, so expect more fan favorites than hit singles. Otherwise, this is business as usual, and business is absolutely gangbusters.

Price: 16 USD

Location: Marietta, Georgia

End Time: 2025-01-09T01:10:47.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD

Product Images

Mastermind by Rick Ross (CD, 2014)Mastermind by Rick Ross (CD, 2014)

Item Specifics

All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted

CD Grading: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Case Type: Jewel Case: Standard

Case Condition: Near Mint (NM or M-)

Inlay Condition: Very Good (VG)

Producer: A+^Boi-1da^Brett "Beats" Bailey^Diddy^DJ Enuff^DJ Khaled^Kanye West^Mike Dean^Scott Storch^Stevie J.^The Weeknd

Format: CD

Release Year: 2014

Genre: Rap & Hip-hop/Hip Hop

Record Label: DEF, Def Jam

Artist: Rick Ross

Release Title: Mastermind

Recommended

MASTERMIND Board Game by Pressman USED
MASTERMIND Board Game by Pressman USED

$6.99

View Details
Masterminds: Criminal Destiny by Korman, Gordon
Masterminds: Criminal Destiny by Korman, Gordon

$3.97

View Details
Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes by Maria Konnikova: New
Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes by Maria Konnikova: New

$18.51

View Details
The Mastermind: A True Story of Murder, - Paperback, by Ratliff Evan - Good
The Mastermind: A True Story of Murder, - Paperback, by Ratliff Evan - Good

$8.37

View Details
Original Mastermind Game By Invicta 1972 SEALED New In Package New Old Stock
Original Mastermind Game By Invicta 1972 SEALED New In Package New Old Stock

$49.99

View Details
Mastermind Game - Break the Hidden Code - Game of Cunning Logic by Pressman 2021
Mastermind Game - Break the Hidden Code - Game of Cunning Logic by Pressman 2021

$19.99

View Details
COLORING BOOK Outside the Lines, Too Inspired & Inventive by Creative Mastermind
COLORING BOOK Outside the Lines, Too Inspired & Inventive by Creative Mastermind

$9.69

View Details
Mastermind [Clean] by Rick Ross (CD, 2014, Def Jam (USA)) Rap Hip-Hop Gangsta
Mastermind [Clean] by Rick Ross (CD, 2014, Def Jam (USA)) Rap Hip-Hop Gangsta

$5.99

View Details
ROCKY & BULLWINKLE CLASSICS VOLUME 3: MASTERMIND MOOSE By Al Kilgore
ROCKY & BULLWINKLE CLASSICS VOLUME 3: MASTERMIND MOOSE By Al Kilgore

$17.99

View Details
Mastermind - Paperback By Youssef, Michael - VERY GOOD
Mastermind - Paperback By Youssef, Michael - VERY GOOD

$4.39

View Details