Rick Ross - God Forgives, I Don’t

The whole lead-up to the album led me to believe that it wasn't going to be anything special. Though it turned out to be better than what I was expecting, still, its hard to deny that this album had the weakest set of singles leading up to a Rick Ross album. Listeners (like me) who had given up hope and are sick of being hearing Rick Ross (or rappers in general) over the same style of instrumentals should feel somewhat sated by "God Forgives I Dont". It's not all trap-beats constructed with "Lex Luger drums pack" but nothing special either.

To call this album a disappointment is debatable, but still I'm going to label it just that! First in its being another uneven, unfocused but undoubtely a Rick Ross album, but it’s also a disappointment in another sense: the subtle progression of the Rozay’s mafioso sound that we’ve witnessed throughout his career? It’s gone, in my opinion. Rick Ross has stagnated.

Certainly, Ross' albums never does depart from a particular style or script very far, but there was a degree of innovation with each studio effort. Be it the refinement of a previous sound (Maybach Music series) or the inclusion of a new sound like "BMF/MC Hammer", which, for weeks was a unique taste, but it slowly and steadily started to buckle under the weight of its increasing repetition. There's not much new in the way of sound on this new album. Rick Ross blends the sounds of his past four albums and somehow only managed to deliver, what is, my third favorite Rick Ross album. Yes, it should've been better. Something more than just another "close but no cigar" album.

Rick Ross might have gotten off to a good start with his first two releases - "Port Of Maimi" and "Trilla" but did not hit its stride until the 2009's "Deeper Than Rap" and its highly likeable follow up offering "Teflon Don". But to whom much is given, much is expected, and while Ross' career has been consistently solid from album to album, there is always a feeling that he could have been even greater; that he could have achieved more with his third and fourth album. His fifth album is more of what we expect: "God Forgives, I Dont" is a solid listen, but once again not quite a career-defining album.

Is this that album people will bring up when they'll be referring to Rick Ross’ most quintessential album, the album that was never topped, the album that’s so consistently great, without a single down moment, the album by which all his other albums will be judged. So the question lingers: Does that change with his fifth album? For those who listen to the album and like what they hear, the answer is irrelevant cos Ross wil remain relevant in our chosen musical genre. But for those who get the nagging feeling that while the album is pretty damn good in parts, you generally feel unfulfilled by his output, specifically as a whole unit, that’s a very pertinent question.

It is the consistency within that make a great album special, and such was NOT the case with "Teflon Don" too. Still, I consider it Rozay’s best release in that of all his various projects, "Teflon Don" is the one I find myself gravitating to the most!

"God Forgives, I Don't" actually serves as a pretty decent survey of Ross' output. There are your cinematic Justice League tracks with big hooks, A+ grade features and beautiful melodies and vocal harmonies. And, of course, some of Ross' less admirable styles are also on display. For example, songs no. 8 to 10 are the kind of stale, overproduced tracks that has been all too common from the MMG lately.

Aside from the first 7 songs stretch and the last 4 songs (including two bonus tracks), no single song can be considered above average fodder. Tracks 8 to 10 should have been relegated to the cutting room floor cos they have driven me to the skip button on every rotation. Both "Ice Cold" and "Touch'n You" are inoffensive – beats nice, verses acceptable, yet it feels empty. Its that generic arrangement, gives the same feelin you always get from songs written for no-one in particular, just the highest bidder, resultin in some song that'll be easily forgotten in a few minutes. "Presidential" is a tad better tho, but there are always glaring problems like this on Ross albums that negate the overall impact of the album. Points when it approaches the goodness and counterbalances by stretches that will have you impatiently reaching for the skip button.

I don't need Rick Ross, or every musician, to be authentic at all times. What I ask is that they be creative and clever with their lyrics, and Ross just doesn't provide enough of that on this album. Not advanced doctorate is required to be able to confirm that Rick Ross can turn out some good rhymes. Verses on tracks like "Ashamed", "Maybach Music IV" and "Ten Jesus Pieces" may not be complex, but they do the trick and engages the listener. But for the most part, lyrically, it's the same kind of sterile rhymes Ross or MMG in general have been pumping out on the last several projects. Of course, production-wise, it does have the same sense of grandeur to fall back on, thanks to Justice League and big name features. But ME not falling for that anymore!

The bottom line is it’s good, could've EASILY been great and only worth the funds for hardcore Ross fans, in my opinion. If you haven’t liked him for the last 6 years, this album won’t change that. However, I’m sure Ross will continue to be a part of "Hottest MCs" in the game (by MTV standards) and remains an operational presence in our chosen genre, cos "God Forgives, I Don't" does a good job of echoing that sentiment.

Rick Ross has certainly stood the test of time. He’s got the look; and portrays an image that is head and shoulders above his peers in terms of entertainment value. He’s also very slick and charismatic in interviews, and his resume boasts quite a few hits over the years. I really dig his recent interview with Chelsea Handler, but ultimately that vid only made me dislike the album more. Why dat?

Because much like Loso and Jada (Lloyd and Mario on the RnB side), Ross still hasn't managed to streamline enough restraint and focus to craft a truly great album. And DATS what irks me the MOST! He doesn't realize his true potential on "God Forgives I Dont", and now I don't even care that some day Rick Ross just might drop a consistently solid album that will be truly worthy of his Bawse character. And if I can be the first to say it, I want this album to be the beginning of the end of the Ross-era.

Ludacris being my absolute favorite still got one with "Ludaversal", but if that too fails to deliver consistency in an orderly fashion, I highly doubt I'll be purchasing his music as well.

My Top Picks:

1. Sixteen
2. Ten Jesus Pieces
3. Ashamed
4. Maybach Music IV
5. Triple Beam Dreams
6. 3 Kings

3.5 rounded down to 3.

Pretty solid album. Definitely was expecting some growth from his material selection but he came up short. 7-8 good tracks. I can se this growing on me tho.

Good album

Nothing special.

Great work work but standing for and name is just wrong...well for me of course I don't know how anyone else feels but if you do what mean give a min. To comment here and thoughts on that

good job djbooth. you've managed to insult rick ross with eloquence. people can never seem to look past the weight and the c.o. issue. im just wondering where all these "weight watching haters" were when biggie and pun were around.

as for this album, it was fantastic. it showed a more gutter Rick Ross. a hunger that hasn't been seen since port of miami. it also shows an evolved Rick Ross, a business-centric artist that constantly looks back at where he came from, as we all do. history has a way of showing up in the present.

I think you've been over generous with this review, the album wasn't great at all. The tone of your review also makes me wonder why you gave such a high score.

Same shit he always delivers lyrically with the same used-up beats...

Since when did Rick Ross become one of the best rappers in the game? I have no idea. I remember laughing at his music only a year ago, enjoying few of his songs and only appreciating his musical talent on his occasional features (especially Kanye West's Devil in a New Dress) but now after listening to his new album and recognizing the relevancy of his MMG empire featuring the likes of Meek Mill and Wale I can't help but feel that this man is at the top of the main stream game. Rick Ross is the Boss.

´good album, diffenitly not the best rapper and he is to trivial to be consideret top 10-20 . but enjoyed lot of the songs, some of them were great produced, and ross can be great a lot of times .. i even hear 911 at occasions .

amsterdam the best song

GFID is a solid effort despite a few forgettable songs (911, Hold Me Back). I think you made some good points in your review Nathan, but I'm surprised how little everyone has mentioned the track "Pirates." That track goes the hardest on the album in my opinion. I give GFID a 4.5 but then again I've become a huge Ross fan over the years so my review might be a little biased

Average Album except for two or three tracks..

BTW How can MMG be an Empire when the label BAWSE only sells 200K? Other Artists on the label would sell even lesser...

Listen to or DOWNLOAD the "Rick Ross - God Forgives I Don't 19 track Bonus Mixtape Edition"
(Full album plus bonus MaCTracks) mixtape style by DJ MaC. GET IT HERE:

http://www.djmacmusic.com/#!GFID/c1bca

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Sixteen
Amsterdam
Triple Beam Dreams