Image via Complex Original
After establishing his spot at the top of the rap game, Rick Ross started recruiting rappers to join his crew, Maybach Music Group. He made news earlier this year by signing Wale, followed it up with Meek Mill, and then closed things out with Pill (and by the looks of it, he’s still making moves). Rozay ended up with a diverse crew of rappers who must have been hungry to work because they put together the compilation, Self Made Vol. 1, in mere months and started releasing songs right away.
Their buzz is so strong that in the era of endless pushbacks, the album has actually been moved up a day to May 23. Although the streets are going to have to keep waiting a bit longer, Complex got a chance to hear MMG’s upcoming album. Click ahead to see what we had to say. [Sexy British lady voice], M-m-mmm-Maybach Music. RUH!
Written by Insanul Ahmed (@Incilin)
Wale, Meek Mill, Pill, Rick Ross, & Teedra Moses “Selfmade”
Produced by: Just Blaze
Complex says: Of course the album pops off the Maybach Music drop, “M-mm-mm-Maybach Music” (No matter how many times we hear it, it never gets annoying). The first bars come courtesy of Wale who spits exactly what he promised us he would, “They say I don’t fit up in this muthafucka/Cause all Ross talk is white, he think he Uncle Ruckus.” But he quickly tops that with, “I left Jimmy, they was spending all my budget/Now I’m with some niggas I could really fuck with.” #ShotsFired. Also, Wale interprets Rick Ross’ “Bitch I think I’m [insert druglord],” and spits, “Bitch I think I’m Teen Wolf.” Seriously?
Meanwhile, Meek spits about dropping out of the 12th grade, Pill lights up a couple marijuana sticks, Ross controls the tempo by ad-libbing between the verses, and Teedra Moses harmonizes in the background.
Meek Mill f/ Rick Ross “Tupac Back”
Produced by: Mike Will, Eardrummers
Complex says: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery plagiarism. So there’s no denying it, when everyone is rapping over your beat and stealing your concept and flow, chances are you made a pretty good song. So we can't hate on Rozay for trying to recapture the magic. Our only qualm with this song is this is Meek’s big look, but his flows and delivery are more impressive on the rest of these songs.
Wale f/ Rick Ross & Jadakiss "600 Benz"
Produced by: Cardiak
Complex says: You already know we’re big fans of this record (we named it Song of The Week when it dropped), and not just because Rozay eats the hook and Jada tears through another one of his countless memorable guest appearances. It’s also because Wale proves he can run with Ross, but maintain his style.
Pill f/ Rick Ross "Pacman"
Produced by: Young Shun
Complex says: The third outing in a row where Ross does the hook and let’s one of the MMG guys handle the rest of the song. Except this time, he can’t help it but spit a verse. Besides the classic video game references, this song has added value since we can only assume that Ross will perform this as he walks Manny Pacquiao out this weekend.
Wale, Meek Mill, Pill, & Rick Ross “By Any Means”
Produced by: Lil Lody
Complex says: The song actually has as much to do with Islam as it does to do with the legendary Civil Rights leader, Malcolm X. Ross flips the traditional Muslim greeting on the hook, “Asalamalakum, Wa aleykum us salaam/No matter your religion, kiss the ring of the don.” Wale follows suit with, “She go to Jumma/Call niggas and perform salah.” However, Meek keeps it raw with his bouncy flow declaring, “I’m a field nigga, you a house nigga!”
Wale, Meek Mill, & Rick Ross f/ J. Cole “Fitted Cap”
Produced by: Beat Billionaire
Complex says: The beat sounds similar to “600 Benz.” Again Ross does the hook, but this time about how his “Jordans high-top, with the snapback fitted hat.” Um, someone get Big Sean on the phone. Not to be a stickler for details, but snapbacks and fitted are two different things no? Anyways, back to the song. Wale raps about fly clothes we can’t even pronounce and Meek diversifies his delivery throughout his verse. Meanwhile, J. Cole tags along and rhymes about how he was jealous as a kid because everyone had Jordans and he didn’t. Hey, like Nas said, “I thought Jordans and a gold chain was living it up.”
Pill, Wale & Teedra Moses f/ CyHi Da Prynce & Curren$y “Rise”
Produced by: Cardiak
Complex says: For anyone thinking this album was gonna be 100 Lex Luger beats, fall back. This track is ridah music and nothing but smooth sailing as it marks the shift from those “B.M.F.” sounding beats to the laid back second half. CyHi kicks things off and Curren$y (who like Ross, recently inked a distribution deal with Warner Brothers himself) handles the hook and quotes 2pac, “It was my only wish to rise, on them jealous muthafuckas I despise.” Pill comes packing syllabus before declaring, “My rhymes going crazy like it’s in kindergarten.” And Spitta closes things out, “Next time you got something to say, boss the fuck up!” RUH!
Wale f/ Jeremih & Rick Ross "That Way"
Produced by: Lex Luger
Complex says: The only Lex Luger beat on here sounds nothing like a Lex Luger beat (guess he was serious when he told us about shedding that perception). Instead of a street anthem, this song is for the ladies. As the credits note, this song belongs to Wale as he spits the first two verses before Ross spits the third and name-drops so many brands all we could think about was how poor we are.
Meek Mill f/ Rick Ross "I'ma Boss"
Produced by: Jahlil Beats
Complex says: Meek spits his heart out, but he just can’t keep up with Rozay who delivers a verse worthy of a BAWSE! Ross spits inspired lines like, “So many shades they thought I had a lazy eye/No love, only cry when babies die” and “Fuck a blog dog, one day we gone meet.” [Gulp.] Afterward, him and Meek split the hook screaming, “I’m a boss!” on some B-Real/Sen Dog shit.
Pill f/ Gunplay "Don't Let Me Go"
Produced by: Lee Major
Complex says: The first of three Lee Major beats in a row, Pill picks up where his mixtapes left off and raps about how he can’t leave the streets alone. He sings the hook too and it sounds strangely reminiscent to Saigon’s “Bring Me Down (Part 2).” Gunplay adds a verse at the end about how he’s “Charlie Sheen winning.” Sorry, but Based God beat you to it bro.
Meek Mill f/ Wale & Rick Ross “Pandemonium”
Produced by: Lee Major
Complex says: You might have forgot, but this song dropped way back in January before Wale and Meek were confirmed to have signed to MMG. “Welcome to organized crime,” Ross says. “Money got me excited, I’m coming four or five times.” The longest song on here, Ross, Meek, and Mr. Folarin all go for 32 bars.
Wale f/ Meek Mill & Rick Ross “Play Your Part”
Produced by: Lee Major
Complex says: More singing on another song for the ladies. But with a hook like, “You just want jewelry and another fucking shopping spree,” this one ain’t nearly as subdued.
Pill "Ridin' On Dat Pole"
Produced by: Beat Billionaire
Complex says: The only song on here to feature a single artist finds Pill at the strip club spitting lines like, “The way she riding the pole, make me wanna put this pole in her.” Although the beat has those Lex Luger machine gun taps (come to think of it, a lot of songs do), it’s still a dark, moody beat.
Pill, Meek Mill, Torch, & Rick Ross f/ French Montana “Big Bank”
Produced by: Young Shun
Complex says: Ross has got a big bank so he’s taking the little bank with lines like, “Drop a X pill in the fish tank, got the sharks on lean.” Wait, sharks can roll? Meanwhile Pill rhymes about how you can blow the candles out at his birthday, as long as you don’t blow his high. Wait Pill, they let you smoke weed in a museum?.
Wale f/ Meek Mill & Teedra Moses “Running Rebels”
Produced by: Tone P
Complex says: The album closes with out some ride-out music worthy of closing credits. Teedra Moses proves that (on the low) she was a great pick-up for the street oriented Rozay as she’s more than welcome to soften up this song like she does the others.