It's been a little more than two months since Rick Ross was arrested on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery in Fayette County, Georgia.
Ross, after posting a $2 million bail, is walking free now (with a GPS ankle monitor), awaiting his trial. Testimony hasn't begun yet, so details are scarce, but here's the story, according to prosecutors.
A groundskeeper who lived on the property of Ross' Georgia mansion (formerly owned by Evander Holyfield) had a few (maybe a lot of) friends over for a birthday party. However, he forgot to clear it with Ross first. When Ross found out, he and his bodyguard,
Again, this is all according to the prosecution. Ross hasn't given his side of the story, but we'd be willing to bet it's a lot more innocent. Perhaps Ross and
At this point, who knows?
But all this is just to say that it's been a rough few months for Rick Ross. Which is why his new release, "Foreclosures," is all the more impressive. After announcing on Sunday via social media that he'd be releasing new music, Ross delivered Monday afternoon with a new single.
In addition to the new song, Ross announced that his new album, Black Dollar, is dropping this Thursday, on September 3. It'll be a follow-up to Ross' last album, Hood Billionaire, which was released in November of last year.
Some might see this as an odd time to drop an album, whilst deeply embroiled in some serious legal drama. Perhaps he needs the money. The single, after all, is called "Foreclosures." Or maybe he's scared this might be his last chance to make music for some time to come. Regardless of the reason, the result — at least thus far — is pretty damned good.
Black Dollar Available This Thursday. 9.3.15 #foreclosures https://t.co/ystUQxgktQ
— BlackBottleBoy (@rickyrozay) August 31, 2015"Foreclosures" is Ross like we haven't heard him in some time. While his stoned and lackadaisical persona has become the image of the Miami rapper many of us have grown to know, this Ross — backed into a corner, snarling in defense of everything he's worked so hard for in his life — this is Ross at his best.
The Bawse is mad, frustrated. This isn't a victorious, showboating track — more like the moment in an action movie where the hero, bloodied and knocked to the ground, must confront the fact that he is not invincible.
"Had it all, now it’s repossessed/Can’t feed the clique cutting bad checks," Ross raps on the hook. "Success is a precious jewel," he repeats throughout the song, rapping the line back to back as the beat fades out.
While the song may not allude to his arrest directly — and probably for legal reasons — it does have a discouraged subtext — maybe not regret but rather anger that he got himself into this stupid situation in the first place. But it's as raw as we've seen Ricky Rozay in years.
Certain rappers play better when they're angry. Kanye West, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and — sure, why not? — even Drake
