“God Forgives, I Don’t” by Rick Ross

On Tuesday July 31st, 2012 Rick Ross will continue the onslaught of MMG records in the marketplace with the release of his fifth album, God Forgives, I Don’t. Rick Ross has kept himself very busy this past year with the recent release of the MMG compilation album Self Made Vol. 2, signing new acts Rockie Fresh and Omarion to the MMG roster, and touring. The hype and buzz around this album has been building since it was pushed back from its December 2011 release date. This album shows Ross’ maturation and growth as a rapper in terms of flows and delivery. Ross has found his voice and sound and settles into it comfortably on this album.

This album features production by Harry Fraud, Justice League, Kenoe and Got Koke, Jake One, Cool & Dre, Cardiak, Pharrell, Beat Bully, and Rico Love. Ross collaborates with Ne-Yo, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, Wale, Drake, Stalley, Meek Mill, and Andre 3000. Some stand-out tracks on the album are:

• “3 Kings” featuring Dr. Dre & Jay-Z  – Jake One produces this smooth braggadocio track featuring two rap legends and the current rap boss. Jay-Z has a stand-out verse on this track while he boasts, “Millions on the walls in all my rooms/n*ggas couldn’t walk in my daughter’s shoes/n*ggas couldn’t walk in my daughter’s socks/Banksys b**ches, basquiats”.
• “Ashamed” – Ross reminisces on his drug dealing days and what it was like to survive off that. “Cut the noose off my neck/black runaway slave/in a coupe with a tech/it’s the home of the brave/they wanna know names/they totin them thangs/never wanted the fame/just wanted a Range.” This is one of my favorite tracks off the album due to the lyrics and the sample on this Cool & Dre beat.
• “Amsterdam” –  This song is about Ross taking a step back and just reflecting on his life at the moment. He’s iterating his happiness with all the success of him and those close to him while smoking and looking forward to tomorrow.
• “Sixteen” featuring Andre 3000 – Ross and Andre 3000 discuss how sixteen bars in a rap song isn’t enough time to fully get their point across. This concept is dope and both rappers really did their thing on this track. A smooth Justice League beat never hurts either.
• “Diced Pineapples” featuring Wale & Drake – This is one of the few songs dedicated to women on this album. The song has two spoken word verses from Wale and just features Drake on the chorus. I was a little disappointed that Drake didn’t have a verse but I guess the song wasn’t made for me either way.

God Forgives, I Don’t is a solid effort from Rick Ross. The album has strong production, strong features, and a high quality sound. Coming on the heels of the MMG album, this is a good follow up. Up next in August is Meek Mill’s debut album. Stay Tuned.

By Malcolm Gray

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