Summary:Losing none of the momentum put in motion by his 2009 effort, Deeper Than Rap, Rick Ross keeps a very good thing going on Teflon Don, arguably his best album to date. You want rap-style luxury? Then Deeper is the better fit, but Teflon plays up the chilled and soulful elements of itsLosing none of the momentum put in motion by his 2009 effort, Deeper Than Rap, Rick Ross keeps a very good thing going on Teflon Don, arguably his best album to date. You want rap-style luxury? Then Deeper is the better fit, but Teflon plays up the chilled and soulful elements of its predecessor, meaning Ross has graduated to a level where words like “organic†and “poignant†come into play. The former is best represented by “Mayback Music III†and it’s swirling, ‘70s-flavored dreamscape created by the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League production team. Ross allows guests T.I. and Jadakiss to go first on the cut, then grabs his cigar for an uplifting story of ghetto triumph that goes from pushing to pleasing the folks (“Parents never had a good job/Now it’s black American Express cards"). When it comes to “poignant,†the evidence is dotted throughout the album with the rapper reflecting on where he’s been, and he often questions his own lust for fame. He chants the title to the opening “I’m Not a Star†as if it was a remindful mantra, but it’s his new love of contrasts that’s really interesting, following Kanye’s swaggering on “Live Fast, Die Young†with “Seems to me we gettin’ money for the wrong things/Look around, Maseratis for the whole team/Look at Haiti, children dyin’ round the clock/I’d send a hundred grand but that’s a decent watchâ€. The familiar party and thugging tunes work too with “B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast),†“No. 1,†and the mixtape favorite “MC Hammer†-- now with added Gucci Mane verse -- all coming correct. Add all the Illuminati references in the Jay-Z team-up (“Free Masonâ€), a decent smoking song (“Super Highâ€), and a track where Cee-Lo’s performance just might make you misty (“Tears of Joyâ€), and it’s obvious Ross’ albums are no longer just vessels for his singles. ~ David Jeffries…Expand
Ross' ear for lush, expansive beats has become keener and his industry Rolodex deeper, allowing him to make every track but the intro feel like an epic, costarring major talents like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Erykah Badu, and Drake.
While it's good to see hip-hop stick up for Ross and his charismatic storytelling, their support sometimes gets in the way of hearing what Ross actually has to say, and at the end of 50 minutes you're left wanting more of Ross than you actually got.
The old Ross was mired in drug-rap cliches; today, he sounds easeful, letting his basso profundo do the heavy lifting in the Jay-Z collabo "Free Mason," and gloating with wit and goofiness, of which he once seemed incapable.
Best album of 2010, tremendous work. BMF was a classic, so was MC Hammer. Free Mason was tremendous, Im Not A Star was even better. RossBest album of 2010, tremendous work. BMF was a classic, so was MC Hammer. Free Mason was tremendous, Im Not A Star was even better. Ross cemented his status as the best in the biz with this one…Expand
This is a classic rap album, period. Here Rick Ross has an album that paints an overall picture of a guy who sees the street life as almost aThis is a classic rap album, period. Here Rick Ross has an album that paints an overall picture of a guy who sees the street life as almost a political rebellion against an oppressive and the answer is capitalism. He paint himself as the Don and succeeds at it: his lyrics get deep at various points; features a lot of talented artists and he sounds great on almost every song. Despite Rick Ross being very corpulent, this rap album has no fat at all. Absent are the unnecessary skits and interludes and filler songs. This is one of the best edited, leanest albums I've ever heard; it proves that Ross understands that greatness is not only having something to say, but knowing when you've said enough. There are no less than 3 classics on this album and no less than 8 (out of 11 total) really good songs. There are no bad songs on this albums and the texture of the sounds are consistent. After 2 years I can still listen to this album without skipping songs and with the same enjoyment that I got initially. This is Rick Ross's best album.…Expand
I never thought much of Rick Ross. Port of Miami was average and Trilla was horrible. Deeper Than RapA surprisingly well done fourth album.
I never thought much of Rick Ross. Port of Miami was average and Trilla was horrible. Deeper Than Rap was ferocious but still lacking. Teflon Don though represents his peak. It feels lavish, luxurious, and soulful. The production is carefully mixed and crafted to perfection in a very alluring manner. It feels like a billionaire's club. The leisure, the success, the danger.
Take for example, Maybach Music 3, a orchestral masterpiece that enchants as well as warns. And Super High feels like a jazzy rich guy song that feels supreme with the Ne-Yo's flavor of contemporary R&B in the chorus. Blowin Money Fast is a pounding beat that resonates not as a part track but as a siren that even rich dudes know how to play bad.
Rick Ross himself is a reason for the album's high rating. Lyrically, he gives more punchlines and has become funnier adding to the album's level of interest. He has become more focused and more diverse in his themes. One of the best lines is "My top back like JFK/They wanna push my top back like JFK!". It's funny at the same time serious.
However the album still has weaknesses. The guest spots once again outshine the main star. Kanye West comes in on Live Fast Die Young and rips it to millions of pieces before Rick Ross can come back with a good chunk. Another problem is the repetitiveness of the album. MC Hammer and BMF are basically the same beat (Ross should have combined them both as one track). And the rich thug raps get too weary. After all, we are way past the age of gangsta rap (no offense to Ice Cube) and the "I-used-to-sell-crack" rap. It seems like everyone has done it.
But Teflon Don is still a good listen and it is proof that it stands against shots coming from Ross' detractors because it emphasizes on musical quality.…Expand
Ricky without doubt wins 2010's "Most Improved" award! His albums have been getting progressively better, I really wasn't a fan of the firstRicky without doubt wins 2010's "Most Improved" award! His albums have been getting progressively better, I really wasn't a fan of the first three LP's but this CD is up there with the best this year, I could name less than 5 Hip Hop albums better than Teflon Don so far. The best feature of the album is definitely the production and the Collaboration with Cee-Lo is brilliant. The only reason that the album doesn't deserve to be more than an 8/10 is Rick's lyrics, not awful but they could use a bit of work, this album has (Shockingly) made me excited for his next attempt.…Expand
the first half of the album is great, while the other half is not quite. the beats on the first half are not like mainstream rap and featurethe first half of the album is great, while the other half is not quite. the beats on the first half are not like mainstream rap and feature people like kanye west ceelo green, t.i., jadakiss, and jay-z. while the last half contains diddy, drake, gucci mane, and other mainstream artists, just listen to the first 6 songs…Collapse
Metacritic must be trolling. Apparently Rick Ross, who's entire personality is fabricated and stolen from Crack dealer "Freeway Ricky Ross"Metacritic must be trolling. Apparently Rick Ross, who's entire personality is fabricated and stolen from Crack dealer "Freeway Ricky Ross" (rick ross was a mall cop), is a better rapper than Eminem. Lyrics are lying trash. Subject matter is repetitive garbage (as usual). Anybody who likes this album for anything past it's production, shouldn't be allowed to review music.…Expand
Throughout the next two months, we'll be tracking the year-end Top Ten lists published by various music sites, magazines, and more. Find out which albums are currently in the running for best album of the year.
Our list of the best-reviewed albums from the past month is topped by Sir Lucious Left Foot himself, and also includes discs from indie buzz band Best Coast, pop singer Kelis, and Las Vegas crooner Tom Jones. (Yes, that Tom Jones.)
![2010 Music Critic Top Ten Lists [Updated Jan. 7] Image](https://static.metacritic.com/images/features/media/thumbs/bestof2010/music-top10-180.jpg)
Published: December 6, 2010Throughout the next two months, we'll be tracking the year-end Top Ten lists published by various music sites, magazines, and more. Find out which albums are currently in the running for best album of the year.
Published: July 29, 2010Our list of the best-reviewed albums from the past month is topped by Sir Lucious Left Foot himself, and also includes discs from indie buzz band Best Coast, pop singer Kelis, and Las Vegas crooner Tom Jones. (Yes, that Tom Jones.)