Rick Ross, Port of Miami 2 | Album Review 💿

Grammy-nominated rapper Rick Ross delivers an enjoyable 10^th album with ‘Port of Miami 2,’ even if it isn’t a game changing effort.  

Once upon a time, in 2018, it looked like Grammy-nominated rapper Rick Ross was in serious trouble.  We’re talking about the fight for his life.  Thankfully, Ross pulled through and returns with his tenth studio album, Port of Miami 2.  Port of Miami 2 follows the original, released back in 2006. The most memorable song from the original is “Hustlin’,” a trunk-rattling banger for the ages.  Does Ross come up with anything quite as compelling as “Hustlin’” was on the original? Nah, but Port of Miami 2 has plenty of enjoyable moments, if none that are truly game changing.

“Act a Fool”

Rick Ross kicks off Port of Miami 2 with banger ✓ “Act a Fool.”  “Act a Fool” doesn’t reinvent the wheel for Ross by any means, but it sounds malicious in regard to production, is chocked-full of braggadocio, and finds Wale providing the assist on the third verse.  All in all, it’s typical Rick, and there’s nothing wrong with that.  ✓“Turnpike Ike” follows, patterned in the soulful, luxurious style that the rapper excels at.  Over the course of three verses, Ross references hustling, his drip (money, money, money!), and of course, women.  Notably, there is a female that he converses with throughout skits that take the place of a chorus.

Gunplay joins Rick Ross on the sleek TROP-produced banger, “Nobody’s Favorite.” TROP gives Ross a minimalist backdrop, and even lacking the luxurious sound we associate him with, he rides the beat well.  The content hasn’t evolved, but it certainly ‘ain’t broke.’ Like “Turnpike Ike,” there is no catchy chorus to further fuel the fire.  Both rappers drop great flows though.  “Summer Reign” follows, enlisting R&B singer Summer Walker.  This is a welcome contrast, giving Ross another luxurious number.  The ‘luxury’ part is literal; he references Gucci bags, Louis Vuitton, Fendi shoes, and Lamborghini.  Safe to say, the sex is indeed rich AF. Also, worth noting, Walker sounds superb, singing in her rich, lower register.

“White Lines”

Rick Ross trades Summer Walker for DeJ Loaf on “White Lines.” If “Nobody’s Favorite” was somewhat uncharacteristic of Ross, “White Lines” continues the soulful, old-school sound. It’s a bit of a bummer than DeJ Loaf is only used in a supporting role but at least she adds some goodness to the track.  “Surviving R. Kelly, registered pedophiles / Tried to feed all my niggas and spread the cheddar ‘round…” Wow! Even with that incredibly bold, eyebrow-raising lyric, ✓ “BIG TYME” isn’t a game changer for Rozay.  Nonetheless, Swizz Beatz is a good hype man as any, and Just Blaze hooks him TF up with the production. The chorus is lengthy and ultimately ‘predictable’ given how drippy it is, but that’s the point of the record and it’s effective overall.

“Big time, I just do it big time
All my n*ggas really do it big time
Lil n*ggas, but we do it big time
Started with the nickel rock, now I’m big time…”

“Bogus Charms” features none other than Meek Mill – shocking collaboration, right? Yeah… said no one ever.  But, give both rappers credit for the more serious tone and the reflective nature of the record. One of the best elements of the song come courtesy of singer Sam Harvey who definitely deserves more credit for his lovely vocals on the chorus.  Teyana Taylor and the late, great Nipsey Hussle appear on “Rich N*gga Lifestyle,” another luxury-fueled joint.  Taylor is silky smooth on the chorus, also later singing on the bridge.  It’s a pleasure to hear Nipsey on the second verse – R.I.P.  Nearly as familiar as the Meek Mill collaboration, Jeezy keeps things star-studded on Port of Miami 2.  Though perhaps not as animated as opener “Act a Fool,” Rozay drops another – you guessed it – banger.  Game changing? Nope.  Respectable? By all means.

“Fascinated”

One of the better joints from Port of Miami 2 comes by way of the dramatic, incredibly slow, five-and-a-half-minute-long ✓ “Fascinated.”  Safe to say, producers Dollarz and Sam Sneak owe Bill Withers a big thanks for this standout backdrop (“Ain’t No Sunshine” specifically). The flow is relaxed, but there’s plenty of intensity from Rick Ross as he raps about the plight of young ambitious black men (“Candy paint fascinate a young nigga… They just wanna assassinate a young nigga”). It marks only the second solo track (“Turnpike Ike” being the first). Another standout follows in “I Still Pray,” which enlists YFN Lucci and Ball Greezy. About five minutes in length itself, the tempo remains relaxed, if a few BPMs quicker, while the backdrop is… SOULFUL.  Like “Bogus Charms” and “Fascinated,” one of the selling points is the reflective, thoughtful tone of this particular record.

Another record, more collaborators, sigh. ✓ “Running the Streets” enlists A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Denzel Curry.  Ross and Curry have a connection – both represent Carol City, Florida. Ross previously appeared on Curry’s 2019 album, ZUU, on “BIRDZ,” so it’s not surprising to see reciprocation. Curry drops a strong third verse, contrasting both Ross and A Boogie With Da Hoodie, whose middle verse embraces autotune.  Regardless, the chorus by Rozay is pretty sweet.

“She be stayin’ up
When I ain’t comin’ home
Runnin’, runnin’, runnin’ the streets
It’s so hard to get sleep.”

“Vegas Residency”

“Vegas Residency” marks only the third and the final solo number by Rick Ross on Port of Miami 2.  Lengthy, clocking past five minutes, this is Ross straight-up spitting hard.  Unlike “Turnpike Ike” or “Nobody’s Favorite,” there is a clearly discernible chorus.  The penultimate record should come as no surprise: ✓ “Maybach Music VI” featuring John Legend and Lil Wayne.  Legend nails the chorus with his ripe, gospel-tinged pipes, while Lil Wayne provides a fine contrast to Rozay on the second verse.  Is this the best ‘Maybach Music’? Nope, but like the others, it’s an intriguing listen.

“Before I’m gone outta this place, yeah / Put some flowers in my face, won’t you / Let me know that I did okay, yeah / Don’t wait ‘til some other day, no, no.” Those lyrics, sung by Drake, based upon the saying “Give me my flowers while I’m can still smell them,” serve as the centerpiece of closer ✓ “Gold Roses.” Yes, Drake gets the honors of the most important, pivotal lyrics of the record, but he’s perfect for the role to say the least.  There is no shortage of song on “Gold Roses,” which approaches six minutes in duration.

At first, it seems like Drake is going to dominate the slow, luxurious “Gold Roses,” performing the intro, first verse, and of course, the chorus.  But Ross comes and asserts his ‘boss status,’ commencing the second verse with the memorable lyrics, “I was nominated, never won a Grammy / But I understand, they’ll never understand me.”  That’s key because it complements the ‘flower’ sentiment.  Throughout much of the rest of the verse, Ross raps about drip but also about that special lady in his life – “Money come and go, I’ma keep you forever / Slip-on glass slippers and tickle with feathers…”  Also, Ross drops a second verse, the third overall on the record.  It’s long, but here’s plenty to like about “Gold Roses.” Drake is on-point, Ross drops a well-rounded flow, and the production by OZ, SykSense, Vinylz, and The Rascals is pretty sweet.

Final Thoughts 

All in all, Rick Ross delivers a well-rounded, 10^th LP with Port of Miami 2.  Is there anything game changing or notable beyond the expected about Port of Miami 2? No.  It’s Ross doing his thing after release nine albums previously, including the original Port of Miami that began his ascent.  There are no new ideas but there’s also nothing offensive in the least.  Good, though never great, it’s successful.

✓ Gems: “Act a Fool,” “Turnpike Ike,” “BIG TYME,” “Fascinated,” “Running the Streets,” “Maybach Music VI” & “Gold Roses”

Rick Ross • Port of Miami 2 • Epic • Release: 8.9.19

Photo Credit: Epic