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Rick Ross - Port of Miami – Track by Track · by Sach O
Last year’s Def Jam approved phenomenon Young Jeezy never did it for me. Simply put, I couldn’t believe a word he said about his coke exploits even as he tried desperately to convince the world that he was the realest rapper to come down the pike since John Forte got arrested. Having grown up listening to the detailed yet restrained observations of Scarface, Jay-Z and Raekwon, Jeezy’s outlandishly loud claims that he moved birds made him sound like he didn’t know shit about the drug game. Sure he rapped over dark beats but when it came down to it, Jeezy’s elementary game spitting was like a 10 year old talking about “the time he had sex”: devoid of details and utterly unconvincing. In short, he was too ridiculous to succeed at what he was trying to do.
Rick Ross on the other hand, succeeds because he flips the formula: whereas Jeezy was a ridiculous presence over grim beats, Ross deadpans his coke rants over synth-pop so grandiose you can’t help but laugh about it. Rather than go for a lyrical crown he could never snatch, Miami’s finest stretches out and enjoys himself, even going so far as to break character and let the world see he’s having fun with it. Sure his cocaine claims are as dubious as his predecessor’s, but you’re not expecting anything more than Hollywood exaggeration when the beat he’s rapping to samples Scarface’s “Push it to the limit”. He’ll never get any rapper of the year awards, but at least he’s delivered a fun summer album.
Intro
Some reporter talking about a drug bust. I’ll give it points for being mercifully brief unlike most rap intros. Cocaine reference #1
Push It
Rick Ross talks about achieving your dreams by moving serious amount of cocaine past state lines. Probably not the best advice you’ve ever heard but you’ve got to admit: it sounds pretty persuasive with those twinkling pianos and vocal samples. Cocaine reference #2
Blow ft. Dre
It kind of happened overnight, but Cool and Dre turned into a really dope production team. Ross can actually rap and doesn’t depend on adlibs even if he doesn’t have much to talk about. It doesn’t matter anyways since the whole track is an excuse to get to Dre’s falsetto crooning. Jokes n jokes n jokes. Cocaine reference #3
Hustlin
This is apparently a huge single but I wouldn’t know since I avoid any contact with Clear Channel radio. The beat lands somewhere between Juicy J’s horrorcore, swishahouse screw and Atlanta church music. Ross raps about hustling, which is something he does every day if the incessant vocal sample he loops is to be believed. Cocaine reference #4
Cross the Line ft Akon
Akon sounds like Phil Collins reincarnated as an African militia man. At this point, anyone who’s still taking the album seriously should get his sense of humor checked because this is White Snake territory despite Rick Ross’ efforts to convey his pain to the listeners. Advice to would be rappers: if you’re going to try to convince us that drug dealing is hard, use something like Raekwon’s “Rainy Dayz” beat, NOT the track they turned down for the end theme to “Tokyo Drifter”. My favorite track on the album on the strength of the comedy. Cocaine reference #5
I’m Bad
Ross pays tribute to LL Cool J and S.W.A.T at the same time. Clever. This is actually the best pure rapping on the album and Ross does a pretty good job. The breakdown at the beginning of verse 3 is particularly gangsta. If ever I’m in a high speed chase down in Miami, this is the song I’d want to ride to. My other favorite track and cocaine reference #6!
Boss ft Dre
Fader said this beat sounded like Berlin and I’m inclined to agree. Maybe all the drug talk on the album isn’t exagerated after all: how else are you going to explain this beat? Cocaine reference #7 on the strength of the instrumental even if Ross doesn’t explicitly talk about moving coke on this one. I think.
For da low ft Jazzy Pha
I usually hate Jazzy Pha but this beat sounds like snap music meets the theme to Bubble Bobble. Not the best song on the album by a long shot but it’s a miracle that it didn’t come out any worse so I’ll let it slide. Cocaine reference #8
Where’s my money
What the hell? This is exactly the same beat as “Hustlin” except with a different vocal sample. Someone should tell Ross he got ripped off. Skip worthy. Cocaine reference #9
Get Away ft Mario Winans
At this point, the album pretty much turns into a collection of R&B duets for some reason. Rick Ross abstains from talking about cocaine and takes a vacation with his boo. Oh wait, he finds a way to slide a mention in. Attaboy Rawwws. Cocaine reference #10
Hit you from the Back ft Rodney
This beat blends every single production gimmick that’s worked in the past 5 years: chipmunk soul, screwed vocals, pro-tooled R&B vocals and post G-funk synth lines. Rick Ross raps about his affinity for back shots in graphic detail but still finds time to mention that his woman can cook a “kiiiiii”. Cocaine reference #11 and my new ringtone for any FWBs.
White House
Ross gets serious and raps about his drug dealing days over a pretty standard beat. It doesn’t work as well as his pop material but the killer to filler ratio on this album has been pretty good so far. Cocaine reference #12. Duh.
Pots and pans ft. J-Rock
This beat sounds like a rough mix to Lil Wayne’s “Hustler music”. Rapping is pretty lackluster and Ross ran out of material about 5 tracks ago but the chorus is possibly the single funniest moment on the album. R&B singers crooning about crack=straight comedy. Cocaine reference #13
It’s my time ft Lyfe Jennings
Another R&B track where Rick Ross talks about cocaine. Not really any better or worse than the last few. Cocaine reference #14
Street Life ft Loyd
I swear that this track is the same as the last one. Actually wait, this one samples the Scarface soundtrack again and features a slightly more effeminate R&B singer. I guess this is the last “official” track on the album and it’s a fitting conclusion. Except the album keeps going for a round of bonus material. Cocaine reference #15
Hustlin remix ft Young Jeezy and Jay-Z
Did I really need to hear this a THIRD time? Actually, they probably should have kept this and dumped the other two versions since Jeezy and Jay add some much needed variety to the proceedings. Cocaine reference #16
It ain’t a problem ft Carol City Cartel
Carol City Cartel album coming soon. On Koch that is. Cocaine reference #17
I’m a G ft Lil Wayne and Brisco
Lil Wayne’s bulletproof car has him feeling like a turtle. That’s a funny line but for some reason, bloggers will claim it as proof that he’s a lyrical messiah. Rick Ross says he has “more guns than the Matrix” which is the lyrical equivalent of wearing Fubu. Track doesn’t really go anywhere which is probably why they stuck it on the back end despite the high profile guest spot. Cocaine reference #18
The Prayer
I guess someone has to do these now that Def Jam fired DMX. I’ll just assume he mentions cocaine at least once. Reference #19
Conclusion: The album is a little redundant but also fairly entertaining on a track by track basis. You could do much worse this summer all things considered and you’ve got to admire a guy who mentions cocaine on EVERY SINGLE TRACK of his album. That’s either dedication or addiction.
Comments for "Rick Ross - Port of Miami – Track by Track"
he’s like this year’s Juelz Santana
— Arjun Jul 31, 09:10 PM
don’t diss juelz like that!
— khal Jul 31, 10:11 PM
I lost interest in Juelz’ last album fairly quickly. It had way too many “must skip” songs.
Rick Ross IS similar to Dipset in that half the time he seems unaware of his own comedy and probably wouldn’t be that entertaining if it weren’t for his beats.
Still, as it stands, this sounds more consistent than anything the Dips have released since they were young and hungry. Let’s see if I feel the same way 6 months from now.
— Sach Jul 31, 10:31 PM
AY! AY!
— khal Aug 1, 09:44 AM
who ghostwrote lil waynes lines on this one
— Ramon Aug 1, 07:57 PM
someone with an interest in Tortoises for one thing. I’ll get the mystery machine and start checking pet shops to see if they’ve seen any rappers.
— Sach Aug 1, 08:41 PM
last time I checked he don’t write ryhmes anymore like Jay and Big, try again
— m dub Aug 1, 09:05 PM
i was sad to be disappointed by a good chunk of the production when that was the sole reason i (downloaded) it.
— jesus piece Aug 2, 09:35 AM
Not even getting a download
— Panamagreen Aug 2, 01:11 PM
this is the best album of the year easily, rick ross is the hottest rapper right now, no doubt about it
— AC Aug 7, 03:46 PM
who cares about the contents, his beats are hot
— fX Aug 7, 08:21 PM
Is it just me or has the mindset of the average rap fan been reduced to that displayed by the thugs from the De La Soul is Dead skits?
— R.H.S. Aug 7, 08:46 PM
“who cares about the contents, his beats are hot”
:lol:
this is definitely potential caricature
— David Aug 8, 01:41 AM
RICK ROSS THE REALEST, “M-I-YAYO GOT IT 4 DA LOW”
— walter fambro Aug 8, 04:15 PM
The whole cd is tight…..That’s rare.
— HY8PE Aug 8, 04:53 PM
are you guys really gonna take a review from a guy named “Sacha Orenstein” seriously this dude probably just started listening to rap last year. Quit being so fuckin nit picky I mean damn did rick ross ever say he was the greatest mc? no. the nigga does his thing and keeps it movin. personally i like the album he just needs to grow lyrically and subject matter but his album is better than half the shit ive heard this year and last year. get this “Sacha Orenstein” fag outta here dude sounds go back to india you dot head fucker
— DOC Aug 9, 12:39 AM
When you’re done with the hate-mongering “DOC” I’d invite you to come to RapReviews and read my Rick Ross piece. I’m curious what ethnicity you’ll accuse me of being, what piece of garb you’ll say I’m wearing, and what country I should be shipped back to. It’s hard to miss the fact that Ross is a one note MC, and without reading Sacha’s review I made the exact same point at the end of mine. I also admitted that it was a fun and relatively inoffensive album to listen to, but damn if people don’t have to take anything that’s not glowing praise for their boy and take it like scathing criticism. Grow the fuck up.
— DJ Flash Aug 9, 03:27 PM
Well at least I know I got the thugs in here and that’s good, maybe cats will learn something. You have to be pretty dumb to suck at racism though.
— Sach Aug 9, 04:16 PM
Is it just me or does the mindset of incomptent racist hip hop message board trolls closely resembles that of the thugs from the De La Soul is Dead skits?
— R.H.S. Aug 9, 05:10 PM
^pardon the poor grammar/spelling, hamster-penis.
— R.H.S. Aug 9, 05:12 PM
I’ve been working with Rick Ross for the last five years. This is a start for him… and a great start… check out the exclusive 745 on my page feat. RickRoss, Brisco, Triple C, and ya boy… we got heat comin
— HOTBOX Aug 9, 05:27 PM
The Album is hot with some stand out tracks. This CD is a heavy hitter and for all that dont feel it.. then toss it out the window and move on R.R. aint here to please you hes here to cut tracks. And our thoughts dont matter cause he aint ever gonna see it.. Last thought the album is hot and thats that R.R. did his thing and killed every track… even the Intro is ill…
Much love people
Tha 45
— TheRealist45 WA Aug 9, 07:47 PM
You niggaz is haters. All you wana be fake ass bloggers, internet thugs, etc etc.
All yall pussies do is sit behind a computer and poke fun at niggaz getting money.
I never understood a critic. How could someone be a critic when they can’t do what you do?????
Just like Jeezy said “you wonder why a nigga rap about 8 balls all day, try standing outside w/ 8 balls all day” You cock sucking opinionated muthas will never get it.
Music is music, I wonder why no other genre of music have these hating issues like hip hop.
305 till I die.
— Tee Draper Aug 9, 08:50 PM
Wow, imagine how pissed these people would be if Sacha had disliked the album.
Instead he said things like Ross “succeeds because he flips the formula” and “delivers a fun summer album”.
Aside from you guys, who’s hating?
— Rafi Aug 9, 09:31 PM
Rick Ross’ most die hard fans are illiterate.
— R.H.S. Aug 9, 09:32 PM
We’ve got the XXL audience now baby!
— Sach Aug 9, 09:46 PM
“I never understood a critic. How could someone be a critic when they can’t do what you do?????”
Have you been joggin in the heat and smokin dope again, Martin?
— eauhellzgnaw Aug 10, 01:00 AM
get the mans cock he rappin you ain’t he got money and u don’t so who gives a fuck wat u think
— fatboy Aug 11, 05:31 PM
Stop knockin tha hustle!!! If you really know the streets and have lived the shit like I have then you would feel where Ross & JEZZY are comin from. We n the same fuckin
struggle y r u downin’ a man who made something big from nothin at all. This shit is real and its all motivation for the streets. Im facing 10 to LIFE on Drug Conspiracy!!! This SHIT IS REAL!!!! ALL U MOTHERFUCKERS WHO NEVER BEEN IN THESE STREETS WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND WHATS ITS LIKE IN THE UNDERWORLD. THE WORLD THAT IS ACTUALLY MAKIN THIS PATHETIC PLANET GO ROUND!!! OH BY THE WAY, I POSSESS A COLLEGE DEGREE, OWN MY OWN BUSINESS, AND STILL I DO WHAT I HAVE TO!! ALL MY HUSTLAZ GOTTA FEEL ME…SUPPORT OUR YOUNG SUCCESSFUL BROTHERS IN THIS RAP GAME AND QUIT SUPPORTIN HATIN ASS CRITICS WHO LIVE AT THIER DESKS BITCHIN BOUT SHIT THEY DONT UNDERSTAND!!!!! WE HAVE TO COME UP ANY WAY WE CAN AND WE WILL NOT BE STOPPED!! SO FUCK EVERYBODY THAT KNOCKS JEEZY, ROSS, AND ANYONE LIKE ‘EM!! THEY R OUR VOICE AND WE WILL BE HEARD…ONE— Jay Aug 15, 09:40 PM
suck my dick jay
— jay is ass Aug 23, 07:54 PM
“Im facing 10 to LIFE on Drug Conspiracy!!!”
“OH BY THE WAY, I POSSESS A COLLEGE DEGREE, OWN MY OWN BUSINESS, AND STILL I DO WHAT I HAVE TO!! ”
This is an interesting juxtaposition. Is your college degree worthless/your business a failure?
If not, it doesn’t seem like drug conspiracy is really something you have to engage in.
— David Aug 24, 12:52 AM
TODAY I HAD SEX WITH A RICK ROSS CD FUCK THE HATERS I OWN A HOUSE MADE OF TUPPERWARE TO STORE PRODUCT YA HEARD I HEAR VOICES IN MY SLEEP AND THEY SAY RICK ROSS IS OUR SALVATION THE WORLD SPINS ON AN AXIS OF CRACK AND I SAW THAT MOVIE “THE TIME MACHINE” AND BENEATH THE CITY OF PROSPERITY IS ACTUALLY A LOT OF CRACK SALESMENS ALSO MY NEW MIXTAPE DROPS THIS WEEK SUPPORT!!!!!!
— agent b Aug 24, 01:53 AM
^LOL
Outside of the Dilla T-shirt announcement, I think this actually has the most replies on the site now. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not.
— Sach Aug 24, 02:09 AM
305 ‘til I die!!
Rick Ross is hot. Miami is what it is….The CD is DEFINITELY a MUST-HAVE…if for nothing else to stay on you treadmill and be captivated by incredible beats for an hour and 15 minutes!!
— flyflossy Sep 26, 12:24 PM
YO U MOTHER FUCKAZ MA NEW ALBUM IZ KILLIN IT BIG WID SUM NEXT LEVEL BEATS YA HEAR LISTEN 4 YA SELFV N SNIFF ON THA COCAINE
— RIck Ross Jan 2, 12:29 AM
Holy shit I can’t believe he took it to the city of prosperity. I am literally laughing out loud. Something tells me this will not be the last time Ross and H.G. Wells Paths cross. (I smell a concept album produced entirely by Primo.)
— BkBomber Jan 2, 02:07 PM
sasha and doc yall motherfuckers are reason there are haters and bullshitters in this world. dont get mad at the niggas gettin money just because you aint. they get pussy you get ur right hand quit hatin and jackin off before you hurt urself. just for the record rick ross started a movement out of florida if you didnt notice theres so many people coming out of florida its not even funny and jeezy i think started the coke talk in rap. so shut your goddamn mouth kike.
— FUCK SOME SASHA Feb 17, 05:42 AM
^Does your mother know you type with such foul language from the family room of her plush suburban residence in Boca?
— R.H.S. Feb 17, 12:33 PM
“jeezy i think started the coke talk in rap”
“jeezy i think started the coke talk in rap”
think
— David Feb 17, 01:01 PM
If only there was a way to harness this thread’s ability to attract morons and dimwits in a weapon of some sort, I could sell it to military and make some guap.
— Sach Feb 17, 05:57 PM
I completely skipped over the comments when I first saw this, but I gotta say that this is almost the funniest thing on the entire site. Which is an accomplishment, considering all the actual intentional humor.
Respect Rick Ross’ hustle.
— Train Feb 17, 06:28 PM
it’s obvious you dont know what the fuck you’re talkin about whoever wrote this review. fake coke storieS? ross was pushin benz’s before rap – think about that. dude was huge, know what you’re talkin about or stop writin this bullsh*t blog that is alot more fake than the rap you act like you undestand.
— jules Mar 4, 06:02 PM
Who would have ever thought that this post would be more popular than all the posts about white rappers and white rap fans?
Posts about 2Pac, Eminem, G Unit, Dipset, Atmosphere, Lil Wayne, Lupe I can see… but Rick Ross?
— eauhellzgnaw Mar 4, 10:20 PM
the ‘agent b’ post was straight chung man. funniest shit all week easily. weird thing is probably ain’t no real thugs chattin on here anyway. where to even start with settin’ these brothers straight?
anyways, “Boss” is a masterpiece. And the lines from “Blow” that start with “I’m into real estate”...are straight gully. big up the Ross man. Big bullet to the grillz of all the fake (and even real) thugs on their way to jail that think artists make shit for them to have a personal soundtrack to sell rocks to. Ya’ll is DERANGED. Go look that one up, tricks.
And Jeezy started a whole lot of NUFFING. Just so you you know. Youngas that think that biz need to axe somebody for real. this is why critics and libraries (or blogs) are needed, to keep e’body from havin amnesia real bad. Yee.
— BIGURL Jul 11, 06:42 AM
...took me almost a year to find this post though…still funny as hell.
— BURLPURL Jul 11, 06:56 AM
It’s pretty funny that everything the critics (and fans) say about Port of Miami could also be said about Trilla.
Great voice, great production quality, coherent (if repetitive) vibe, but definitely lacking in the technical-rapping department. Of course, only a few Southern rappers really go for that (Bun B, Andre 3000, Lil Wayne) anyhow.
I still think it’s fun, interesting, great-sounding music. He isn’t obsessed with rhyme schemes, but does every rapper have to be Nas or Ghostface? Southern rap really expands what’s possible in rap, I think, in terms of mood, atmosphere, and swagger.
— jean-paul May 2, 01:34 PM
ricky Ross is the real deal yeah he said cocaine alot but in Miami its a way of life so he spits what he knows and you gotta respect him for staying in his lane I give 5 mics in the XXl and a XXl in the source
— victor Jun 12, 10:34 PM
rick ross da shit in da south no1 can touch him
— acegreen May 14, 04:05 PM