Rick Ross - Port of Miami

If you’re looking for ear candy, this ought to tickle your taste buds.  Hyped as the hustlin` hero from the 305, Rick Ross lives up to expectations that have followed him the past six months.  His Def Jam debut, Port of Miami, does for music what Michael Mann’s new Miami Vice flick has done on the big screen; It grasps the listener and tells them what lies under the belly of Miami, the cocaine drug trade.  Though a portion of the album duplicates the usual neo-material sound (‘Hit U From The Back’ or ‘Pots and Pans’), Ross’ hype as a lyrically gifted storyteller reigns supreme. 

Jay-Z has now successfully debuted two artists, Young Jeezy and now Ross, who share two attributes with their album’s lead topic: substance and quality.  Oh, and his “Hustlin” street anthem went platinum in ringtone sales… a week before the release of Port of Miami.  If that isn’t the definition, then I’ll have to reread the book.