RICK ROSS

Name of artiste: Robert Williams aka Rick Ross

Title of album: Trilla

Genre: Southern and mafioso rap

Record label: Def Jam, Slip-n-Slide and Poe Boy Records

Producer: Bink, Carlos and Dada, DJ Nasty, DJ Toomp, Drumma Boy, Elvis, J.R. Rotem, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Mannie Fresh and The Runners

Similar albums: American Gangster and The Inspiration

Album info: Rick Ross released Trilla, his second studio album, on March 11. The album has 15 tracks, including his hit singles Speedin', The Boss and Here I am. Artistes such as Mannie Fresh, Ebony Love, DJ Khaled, Trey Songz, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Trick Daddy, Young Jeezy, Avery Storm, Triple C's, Brisco, Rodney and J Rock made appearances on various tracks throughout the album.

During the first week of its release in the United States, it sold 198,375 copies. After nine weeks, the total sales was 465,719, giving this album the coveted gold status. However, album sales can no longer truly determine the quality of an album because of the large amounts of music downloads.

The album is not a replica of a Jay-Z album, however, the self-proclaimed 'Boss' does do a great job of picking up where the rap legend left off. Though a new-comer to the mainstream industry, Ross' second album sounds just as good as, if not better than, some of the more seasoned rappers on the music scene.

On his album, Ross paints a picture of the supposed glamorous life of a drug kingpin through hard-hitting lyrics laid over soulful, heavy instrumental beats. With a dominant R'n'B influence from his featured line-up, Ross ensures that there is nothing soft about this album.

The album starts off with a few club-inspired tracks such as Speedin' and Money Makes Me before moving into a more relaxed vibe with tracks such as Maybach Music and I'm Only Human. This change in pace certainly doesn't hurt the album in any way but makes it more complete as most people will be able to find a track or two they can appreciate, even if they are not hardcore hip-hop fans.

Album similarity:

American Gangster by Jay-Z: Because it depicts the glorified and supposedly lavish lifestyle of a drug don.

The Inspiration by Young Jeezy: Because of the hardcore lyrical content.

Lyrics: Rick Ross' image is that of the 'man who doesn't play'. In keeping with this style, he does not use many metaphors or word play but delivers a more straight forward but very clever rhyming style.

"Revenue incredible, it put me on a pedestal Columbia to Mexico, I figure was a better route Look at me, a model now Models and bottles 'round A Blood holla, ballin' But the boys in blue, shot 'em down"

Beats: The beats range from club hard to classy instrumentals.

Favourite tracks: Maybach Music features Jay-Z. This song not only deals with the artiste's riches but also the success of past illicit dealings. Though that is the case, surprisingly enough, you can just sit down and chill to.

"Some things your money can't buy Like Heaven in the sky, even a better ride in the rear, so many instruments I hear Tucked behind curtain, no signs to fear" - Rick Ross

Luxury Tax features Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy and Trick Daddy and deals with the price of success, focusing on hustling and the risks it takes to get to the top.

"Big business minus the business suit. Even I look in the mirror like is it you, And I say I must be the hottest if it isn't you." - Lil Wayne