Rap’s current big-man releases big work in big fashion.

Rick Ross

Teflon Don: Island/ Def Jam Records

Considering that a majority of the time the quintessential rap album feeds off its ability to play up the ego of its artist, Rick Ross has successfully built a record whose ego is larger than the “Boss” himself.  And as he towers at around 6 feet and bellows at roughly 200+ pounds, Teflon Don is a doozie.

Born in Mississippi and raised in Florida, Ross’s fourth outing is his latest top-of-the-mountain roar. Amidst questions of his legitimacy, gun/drug charges and a court battle against the real Rick Ross (drug lord “Freeway” Ricky Ross), the record proves Ross can sit atop the peak with hip-hop’s best and brightest. He raps about the benefits and difficulties of fame, finding a way to make you adore the good life but at the same time understand his troubles. With his first three albums taking the No.1 spots on the Billboard Top 200 list in their first weeks, it would seem that Ross is poised to run the “game.”  Instead for the past four years he has just been a big name in a small circle of equally talented artists.

Teflon is a year separated from Deeper Than Rap, and two years separated from Trilla. Like those records, Teflon Don is a cinematic blockbuster with a heavy dose of money-oriented boasting and an all star cast of featured artists, perfect for a weekend evening cruise with windows down and the speakers booming.  He was only signed by premier record label Def Jam’s umbrella Slip-n-Slide records in 2006 and he hasn’t changed his style since: taking his shallow (but organic) lyrics and giving them meaning with a ferocious baritone and a giant’s swagger.

The grand opener, “I’m Not A Star,” is a hostile heavy hitter, Ross’s only solo piece in the lineup, the blaring trumpets teamed with the pounding bass make for an early knockout as Ross spits, “ I’m not a star/ Somebody lied/ I got a pistol in the car/ A 45/ If I die today remember me like John Lennon/ Bury the Louis, I’m talkin all brown linen.” His flow, as steady and intense as ever, has that familiar unruffled growl. As Ross dares to compare himself to the Beatle great, he sells the line with confidence, fooling you to thinking he is just as influential. Typical Ross: a song about declaring importance with no questions asked.

Teflon maintains a larger than life vibe for its entirety, with lavish themes and loudly orchestrated synth to fit the wealthy feels of “No. 1,” “MC Hammer” and “Aston Martin Music.” A big portion of the luxurious mold is the flurry of featured artists and producers: Drake, Kanye West, Trey Songz, Diddy, Raphael Saadiq, The Inkredibles and T.I. This bill of gifted contributors help the album seem as expensive as its songs claim to be. The only grating moment is “Free Mason,” which is a complicated track featuring a poor performance by Jay-Z over a lackluster beat. Not to mention a misleading title.

It’s hard to believe Ross was a corrections officer – although it is a fact that he was one. Ever since his debut, Port of Miami, he had everyone convinced he was a one-time drug dealing, ho’ slapping Mafioso from the Sunshine State. But rap songs, all songs actually, are about telling stories, even if they aren’t exactly true. Hats off to Ross for building a career based on the stories and ideas about how he was once a “boss.” But as far as his reach and influence in rap goes, he can be considered some type of boss. His story may in fact turn out to have an ounce of truth after all.

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