5 Best Songs from Rick Ross’ ‘Rather You Than Me’ Album
One of rap's biggest stars has returned with a new album that has the hip-hop community abuzz, adding to what has already been quite an eventful year thus far. Rick Ross, who was curiously absent from the music scene in 2016, has emerged out of hibernation with his latest project, Rather You Than Me, which was among the more anticipated albums slated to drop in the first quarter.
Rather You Than Me is the Maybach Music Group honcho's first release since dropping his Black Market album at the tail end of 2015 and his ninth solo studio album overall.
Known for his refined knack from procuring beats from producers that are as grand and expansive as his rhymes, Rozay aligns himself with the likes of Bink!, Beat Billionaire, Streetrunner, Black Metaphor, and other boardsmen. Although known as a capable lyricist with enough presence to stand on his own, Ross sticks to the script once again by enlisting a slew of his industry friends to serve as his supporting cast, from fellow hustlers like Jeezy, Yo Gotti, and Future, his MMG artists Wale and Meek Mill, and crooners like Raphael Saadiq and Ty Dolla $ign.
Having dived deep into the album's fourteen songs and giving them each a focused listen, we've compiled what we feel are the five most impressive tracks from Ross' Rather You Than Me.
Did your personal favorite make the cut?
- 5
"Scientology"
Rather You Than Me is build on moments of reflection and introspect, with "Scientology" standing as one of the more impassioned tracks on the album. Produced by Bink!, the song features Rozay as he spills on everything from familial matters to the exploitation that rap execs partake in. Analyzing the rap game from various vantage points, Ross rises to the occasion once again on this stellar track.
- 4
"Dead Presidents"
Rick Ross Featuring Future, Jeezy & Yo Gotti"Dead Presidents" is the most boisterous song on the album. It's a synth and drum heavy selection that sees Rozay taking it back to the trap. Featuring Future, Jeezy and Yo Gotti, the four unabashed dope boys all revel in the spoils of their street labor, with idle threats littered throughout for good measure. Produced by Beat Billionaire, "Dead Presidents" adds to the list of past Rick Ross street anthems like "MC Hammer" and "BMF" and is tailor-made for getting turned up in the clubs.
- 3
"I Think She Like Me"
Rick Ross Featuring Ty Dolla $ignRick Ross enlists singer-songwriter Ty Dolla $ign to contribute the hook for "I Think She Like Me," an early favorite from the Bawse's project. Placing himself in extravagant locales like Cannes and Portugal, the MMG heavyweight drops lines revolving around his privileged lifestyle and the women it attracts. Produced by J-Pilot & C Gutta, and containing a sample of The Stylistics’ “People Make the World Go Round,” "I Think She Like Me" is a perfect backdrop for Rozay to employ his nimble flow over, and one of the shining moments on Rather You Than Me.
- 2
"Santorini Greece"
Rick Ross"Sometimes I be wanting to say "f--- the world!" Ross proclaims on "Santorini Greece," one of the more plush compositions on the album that finds Young Renzel in his zone. Produced by Bink!, the instrumentation, which is chock-full of classical piano keys, subdued drums, horns, and a recurring vocal sample, is a testament to Ross' extraordinary ear for production that compliments his boastful musings. Adding Santorini, Greece to the list of hotspots popularized by rap stars, Rozay serves up a gem on the LP.
- 1
"Idols Become Rivals"
Rick Ross Featuring Chris Rock"Idols Become Rivals" begins with a short, humorous skit by comedian Chris Rock, but the song itself is no laughing matter, with Ross delving deep and taking a rival to task. Setting his sights on Cash Money Records CEO Birdman, Rozay aims his vitriol at his former associate, voicing his disappointment of the label owners treatment of his artists and his alleged nefarious business tactics. Listing former Hot Boys members Lil Wayne, B.G., and Turk, as well as producers Mannie Fresh and Scott Storch among those who have fallen victim to Birdman's shady practices, Rick Ross holds nothing back on "Idols Become Rivals." Undoubtedly, the song is sure to go down as one of the album's most controversial tracks.
- 6
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