Mastermind

Rick Ross’s sixth album was one of two he released in 2014; Hood Billionaire followed eight months later and did significantly lower numbers, peaking at #6 on the Billboard album chart to Mastermind’s #1. And while they’re both worth hearing, Mastermind is a much better album, ominous and introspective, interrogating the philosophical and emotional impact of crime and wealth. Ross interlaces his raps with recordings of an unnamed convict being sentenced to life in prison, of news reports from an incident when his car was fired upon in Miami, and of Diddy lecturing the listener on the perils of empty materialism. (No, really.) He also pays tribute to previous generations of MCs, imitating both Tupac’s and Biggie’s rhyme styles on “Nobody,” while French Montana borrows Juvenile’s “Hah” flow on “What a Shame.” He dives into dancehall on “Mafia Music III,” and “War Ready” is a slow-motion nightmare, while “In Vein” is basically a Weeknd song with a Ross guest verse and “Blessing in Disguise,” with Scarface and Z-Ro, is a mournful look at the sacrifices success has demanded.