#iTunesSounds – Rick Ross – “Black Dollar” Mixtape – October 25, 2015
Since dropping the classic mixtape, “Rich Forever” in 2012, music has been a bit slower coming for Rick Ross. Ross has established himself as one of the mainstays in an industry that sees hit artists come and go faster than NFL running backs. With the latest “Black Dollar” mixtape, Ross dials in to his 2012 self and gets back to the witty punchlines over smooth beats that made him a go-to guy for a feature earlier this decade.
By: Brandon Clay @BBallPlusMusic
Here are my three favorite tracks with signature lines from the Mixtape:
1) “Money Dance”
BREAKDOWN: From the opening sounds of the piano playing to Ross riding a hoverboard in the music video below, this is vintage Ross. Talking success, the law and life as he knows it these days. Toss in The-Dream on the hook and it’s what we expect from the guy who walks around with no shirt on often.
“Slight 2-step as I check the time. Rub my hands when my palms itch. 50 (million) in the bank, diamonds lookin’ flawless. This the sway of a rich brotha, prayin’ for the day my brotha seein’ six figures. Black bottles poppin’ when I’m on the turf. Two private jets what a brotha’s worth.” – This is Ross at his best. Multi-million dollar money talk with a specific picture painted for the listener.
2) “Icon”
BREAKDOWN: Ross teams up with R&B star Anthony Hamilton to deliver a go-to track off the mixtape. The intro to the song is an ode of sorts to Jay-Z who signed Ross during his days as Def Jam president during the mid-to-late 2000’s. Hamilton’s soulful vocals coupled with Ross’ ever growing wordplay made this a hit in my eyes.
“I can’t see em running down my eyes so I gotta make the song cry. I just came to get the millions. Young HOV, I see ya brotha. I got the Blueprint in my back pocket. I did what you told me.” – Ross referencing the Jay-Z track “Song Cry” off of the classic “Blueprint” album
3) “Bel Air”
BREAKDOWN: Ironically, Ross is well known to have an affiliation with the sparkling rose Luc Belaire. That said, the entire song is a double entredre with Ross rapping about both a lifestyle based on the one Will Smith lived in “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and the aforementioned drink. Both are deemed by Ross to be of the highest quality. Belaire is served in black bottles and promoted by Ross socially through his “Black Bottle Boys” campaign.
All the lines below refer back to topics mentioned above:
“This is the very best of the best. This is top shelf, the caviar of hip hop. Bel Air. Will Smith. Black Bottles.”
“At the Kings game but I got the Heat with me. 10 stacks, you can’t even take a seat with me.”
“Shoutout to Young HOV, my first deal. The transaction my first mil. Island Def Jam, paradise. Yacht Club, sacrifice.”
Check out Ross and The-Dream in the “Money Dance” video:
Brandon Clay is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com through his #iTunesSounds reviews. A self-professed entertainment & music junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. You can follow him on Twitter @bballplusmusic.