Rick Ross ‘God Forgives, I Don’t’ Review

Listening to Rick Ross’ God Forgives, I Don’t all the way through for the third time since it first leaked yesterday, I think I can already see this album reaching the classic status Ross intends for it to achieve. The first several songs roll off like the score to a classic gangster film.

Appropriately, Ross told AllHipHop.com that “motion picture master piece is the vibe of God Forgives, I Don’t.” This analogy is most appropriate to the cinematic beats provided in great part by genius production team, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. The first five songs on God Forgives, I Don’t are undeniably the album’s highlights, with the final two tracks of the five, “Maybach Music IV” (feat. Ne-Yo), and “Sixteen” (feat. André 3000) featuring production by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. Following the first five, there’s a block of four hood tracks, followed by four RnB tracks, and then the finale, “Ten Jesus Pieces,” also produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. Rick Ross is a consistent and entertaining rapper, but his producers deserve just as much credit. A great part of Ross’ skill as a businessman is he bought several A-list beats for his album, and it shows. Even though Rick Ross isn’t really an innovative rapper when it comes to wordplay, his persona shines through his gravely voice and makes his music worth listening to.

The real crowning achievement of the album is the song “Sixteen” feat. Andre 3000. The message of the song, the fact that a rapper has a limited amount of bars to express himself in, is an interesting message to ponder. As Andre 3000 says, “it’s just a glimpse…just a page.” To think about rap verses as a small window into the universe of a rapper’s reality shows how lyrics are more integral to the genre of rap than other musical genres. The best line on the album is actually when Andre 3000 observes that “something tells me we ain’t in Kansas anymore.” It’s one of the best things I’ve heard said about the times we live in. The other two main highlights for me were “Pirates” and “Ashamed.” Cool and Dre’s production on the latter beat is a reminder of the greatness they once achieved with Game and 50 Cent’s “Hate It Or Love It” It’s worth noting that two out of the three best tracks on God Forgives, I Don’t are tracks that feature Ross alone. I really think as great as the guests are on this album that next time Ross should pull a Jay-Z and release an album with no features like Game is planning to with his fifth album. As awesome as it is to hear Ross in between verses from Dr. Dre and Jay-Z in 3 Kings, Rick Ross doesn’t need anyone else to bring out the best in him. That’s a sign of a truly great rapper, one who can hold a track down all by themselves.

As much as I absolutely love the first five songs, I’m not as crazy about the rest of the album. The hood tracks and RnB tracks are alright, but I think that God Forgives I Don’t is one third masterpiece, two-thirds decent mainstream rap record. Here’s a track-by-track breakdown of the album:

Rick Ross God Forgives I Don’t 71/100
1. Pray For Us (Intro)
2. Pirates 9.5/10
3. 3 Kings ft. Dre and Jay-Z 8.5/10
4. Ashamed 9.5/10
5. Maybach Music IV ft. Ne-Yo 8/10
6. Sixteen Ft. Andre 3000 9.5/10
7. Amsterdam 7/10
8. Hold Me Back 5/10
9. 911 5/10
10. So Sophisticated ft. Meek Mill 5/10
11. Presidential ft. Elijah Blake 6/10
12. Ice Cold ft. Omarion 6/10
13. Touch’n You ft. Usher 6/10
14. Diced Pineapples ft. Wale and Drake 7.5/10
15. Ten Jesus Pieces ft. Stalley 7/10

If you think rap isn’t great anymore, I highly recommend you get this album and listen to the first few tracks. It’s not a classic, but it does have classic tracks, and that’s better than most albums that come out today, regardless of genre. I have a feeling Rick Ross is only going to get better. The singles he released from the hood and RnB portions of the album haven’t done that well, and I think “3 Kings” which got the most general media buzz of any track is the direction Ross needs to go in. Cinematic soul beats, and strictly A-list guests if any. Listen to the album and tell me what you think in the comments. Highlights: “Pirates, Ashamed, Sixteen”

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