Review Summary: "God is great, first and foremost."
Rick Ross has always teetered the line between Gangsta Rap and Introspective Hip-Hop, never really choosing a side. When it comes to his appeal, I suppose that is what makes it so interesting. Here I listen to what I feel is his best album so far. Being the third of the Don Trilogy (God Forgives, I Don't; Mastermind; Black Market) here, Rick goes into the culture he helps glorify, what it means to him, and why he doesn't give a flying fuck either way. That's always been Rick Ross, not giving a flying fuck.
Not all of the tracks are golden. "Dope Dick" and "Crocodile Python" are incredibly redundant to the point of outright annoyance. However, I am happy to say that's really the only times he really falters on this record. The real MC comes out of Ross when he starts rapping in "Free Enterprise"; a rap/slam poetry hybrid with vocals by John Legend as Rick discusses his life, his career, and a little bit of politics to spice it up. Some of the tracks will jump from sad, "Smile Mama, Smile", to serious, "Silk Road" and "Black Opium".
One of the more interesting tracks is "Ghostwriter", where Rick Ross contemplates the controversy of his first two albums, with accusations of ghostwriters hurting his credibility as an MC. He goes on to rap about how he now writes to redeem himself in the eyes of the Hip-Hop community. He also talks about how he helps other up-and-coming MC's join him at the popularity wheel he is at. It is one of the less self-centered tracks on the album and, in terms of Rick Ross, it is quite endearing.
Other time Ross goes straight into Black Comedy. "Peace Sign" being a parody of sex-related Hip-Hop songs over the backdrop of what I feel is DJ Mustard's most complete beat. "Sorry" being a little jab at apologetic songs designed to absolve a rapper of their previous sins before becoming an MC, with some more romantic lyrics brought in. "One of Us" is one of the best tracks on the album, with guest MC Nas providing some of the best spit since his time in God's Son, as Rick and Nas talk over the bubble that has taken over Hip-Hop, creating a exclusive community.
Rick Ross has absolutely changed the way I have always viewed him. Black Market is proof of his incoming maturity as an artist and showcases that he has a lot more to give to his fans after the farce that was Hood Billionaire. Probably one of the best Hip-Hop albums of this decade. Good on you Rick, I knew you had it in you.
