While Ross is in redemptive mode on this mixtape, he’s not a completely changed man. Titling your
mixtape Black Dollar and speaking on Black people coming together, owning their own land and
becoming a superpower on “Knights of the Templar” enobles Ross message. But, constantly comparing
yourself to white symbols of dominance (Bill Gates, Bob Dylan) and confusingly referring to yourself as
an “ex slave, proud field nigga” on “Geechi Liberace” dilutes that same message. Also, while rapping
over the same Ohio Players sample used for Jay Z and Notorious B.I.G.’s best collaboration, “Brooklyn’s
Finest,” Ross and Meek delivered flat performances on “World’s Finest,” disrespectful to such a classic
sample. There are moments of what I call “Autopilot Ross” where he sounds as if he’s simply making
enough words rhyme to get to the chorus, but those are few and far between on Black Dollar.
He’s not “re-selling my soul,” seemingly referring to either his solo artist deal with Def Jam, the Atlantic
Records label deal for Maybach Music or why even Slip-N-Slid Records, which curiously still appear on
all of his album credits. With Black Dollar, Ross has extended his time as a top tier rap talent, But, how
long before the Black Dollars run out?
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