Image via Complex Original
As you may have heard, Rick Ross' latest album, God Forgives, I Don't, sprung a leak this week, five days before its physical release. One of the main things we were looking forward to on this project was Ross continuing his epic "Maybach Music" series. The wishes of rap fans have been granted, as Rozay's added a new edition to the series that's been going strong since his sophomore album, Trilla. And yes, it's still produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League.
Four songs deep into the series (plus a sometimes forgotten leaked version that didn't have Ross on it), it's only right we start debating about Which "Maybach Music" Song is Rick Ross' Best? So, we broke down all the songs one-by-one and then picked a winner. [Sexy lady voice says] M-M-MM-Maybach Music!
Written by Insanul Ahmed (@Incilin)
Rick Ross f/ Jay-Z "Maybach Music" (2008)
Album: Trilla
Label: Slip-n-Slide, Def Jam, Poe Boy
Producer: J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Memorable Line: "Some things your money can't buy/Like Heaven in the sky, even a better ride." (Rick Ross)
The first song from the series saw Rozay teaming up with Jay-Z, who showed most of us a Maybach for the first time in the video for "Dirt Off Your Shoulder." It's a strange experience listening to old Rick Ross songs in 2012. Lines like "Revenue incredible, it put me on a pedestal," and "Gang-affiliated, colors prosecutors painted" are a reminder that he's been trying to compose more intricate bars since the days of rhyming Atlantic with Atlantic. Still, back then, Ross' attempts at vocal dexterity were less riveting, as he hadn't mastered the use of his sluggish voice just yet.
Rick Ross f/ Lil Wayne, Kanye West, T-Pain "Maybach Music II" (2009)
Album: Deeper Than Rap
Label: Maybach, Slip-n-Slide, Def Jam
Producer: J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Memorable Line: "All black Maybach, I'm sittin' in the asshole." (Lil Wayne)
There's no way we can discuss this song without talking about Wayne's bizarre, so bad it's awesome "I'm sitting in the asshole" line. Every other part of this song is pretty great. Kanye is on his disrespectful shit, chastising losers who won't be getting any ass tonight, T-Pain was at the tail end his "call this guy if you need a banging hook" phase, and Ross had finally begun to harness his full potential as a rapper. It helps that the beat perfectly captured what we imagine sitting in an asshole riding in a Maybach probably feels like.
Rick Ross f/ Pusha T, Birdman, Fabolous, & T-Pain "Maybach Music 2.5" (2009)
Album: N/A
Label: Maybach, Slip-n-Slide, Def Jam
Producer: J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Memorable Line: "Riding this good will make a human hate ya (Why? Why?)/Michael said it's human nature." (Fabolous)
Wait, this happened? Oh yeah, it totally happened. And we totally forgot. And we'd kinda prefer you did, too. We just mark this down as one of the seemingly dozens of forgotten remixes that drop every time a hot song comes out and everyone wants to get on it after the fact. However, the saving grace of this track was hearing Pusha rhyme alongside Birdman (even if they were never in the same room) after Pusha dissed Wayne and threatened to murder Birdman with the line, "Don't make me turn daddy's little girl to orphan/That would mean I'd have to kill Baby like abortion." Remixes—much like politics—make strange bedfellows.
Rick Ross f/ Jadakiss, T.I. & Erykah Badu "Maybach Music III" (2010)
Album: Teflon Don
Label: Maybach Music Group, Slip-n-Slide, Def Jam
Producer: J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Memorable Line: "Money machines, yeah they RIIIIINNNG like a mobile phone." (Rick Ross)
Who invited Jadakiss on this song? Look, we love Al Queda Jada as much as the next rap fan who prefers their Top 5 rapper's best songs to consist of guest spots and no great albums, but does he even own a Maybach?
Rather, let's focus on the charming tunes of J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. After making "Maybach Music II" sound as epic and expansive as possible, they took a reserved approach on this one, giving the song a light, airy feel. And Ross, ever the inventive A&R, made the right move inviting Ms. Badu on the hook.
Plus, T.I. spit one of his best post-prison verses ("Tell the ATF I'm riding with another .380"). To top it off, Ross killed his verse—a flawless display of multi-syllable rhymes that proved the value of a delayed delivery. The spaces Ross left open on his verse ("Parents never had a good JOB... now it's black American Express CARDS") are a perfect example of when less is more. Verses like these make it easy to chart the growth of Rozay as an MC.
Rick Ross f/ Ne-Yo "Maybach Music IV" (2012)
Album: God Forgives, I Don't
Label: Maybach Music Group, Def Jam
Producer: J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Memorable Line: "New Maybach after it was discontinued." (Rick Ross)
Isn't it convienentt how every rapper on Def Jam loves Ne-Yo? Any time they need a hook, they just say, "I should get Ne-Yo. That guy is pretty great." It's not like there's any other R&B singers in the world for them to work with. Anyhoo, despite the actual Maybach car being discontinued earlier this year, Rozay remains. The MMG general opted to do his dirt all by his lonesome on this one and spit an extended verse. It's cool and all but it's like, how many times can you vaguely talk about the good life in grandiose terms? Oh yeah, a gazillion.
Bonus: Jay-Z "Maybach Music II (The Lost Verse)" (2010)
Album: N/A
Label: N/A
Producer: J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Memorable Line: "I guess on the initial Maybach/I was way too official, they didn’t call Jay back."
And you thought we forgot about this? No way. How could we? Two years after the fact, Jay's lost verse from "Maybach Music II" found its way to the Internet and even got a few spins on NYC radio. Jay's verse sort of explained the Def Jam-approved artwork for the song, which strangely featured Birdman and Jigga, though neither were on the album version of the song. Hov sounded slightly ticked off for not being invited on the sequel, almost as if he was pissed that Ross showed Wayne and Kanye the secret handshake he thought they invented. Still, he assured it wasn't a diss to Ross, he just wanted to assert his Maybach dominance and remind everyone that he started the trend—even after Ross named his company after the car.
And The Winner Is...
Of course it's "Maybach Music II" (the one with Kanye West and Lil Wayne). It's the most enjoyable song in the series, features two superstar rappers, and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League's instrumental best captures the grand, lavish feeling that a Maybach is supposed to have. The original comes closest, but T-Pain's irresistibly catchy chorus gives the first sequel the edge.