Rick Ross & Meek Mill - Too Good To Be True Album Review

There become a time when Rick Ross and Meek Mill ruled all before them. Two key figures in hip-hop’s 21stcentury arc, they fought their manner to the top, turning into Stateside rap’s true MVPs. Together, the MMG Label have become a byword in high-quality, the decision-sign – “I like this Maybach music…” – etched inside the recollections of a era. Last yr rumours commenced swirling of a collaborative report,  heavyweights picking themselves up from the canvas for one remaining bout. Several years inside the works, ‘Too Good To Be True’ is – remarkably – completely in defiance of its identify, a fan-eye-catching triumph that dials into their core values.

Across 17 tracks and a full hour’s well worth of track, ‘Too Good To Be True’ is an absolute feast, an instance of ruthless rap consistency. The highs are numerous – opener ‘SHAQ & KOBE’ vaults into view, earlier than the top notch ‘Star Island’ raises the temperatures nonetheless similarly. The all-famous person ‘Go To Hell’ samples – of everyone – Tears For Fears, the central icons joined by way of Cool, Dre, and BEAM. Heavy.

‘Dead Last’ introduces more subtle factors, the piano paying homage to the ones epic mid 90s 2Pac singles, given a modern-day spin. Indeed, even as the production is deeply present day, there are numerous throwbacks to the duo’s past – interweaving factors in their catalogue, ‘Too Good To Be True’ is a weighty aggregate, one that offers with expectations even as additionally surpassing them.

There’s subtlety, too. The fantastic Teyana Taylor visitors on ‘Above The Law’, balancing the track with female finesse; Jeremih takes the mic on ‘Gold Medals’, the classical guitar line adding beauty to the crunching beat.

Closing with the dual bombast of ‘Millionaire Row’ and ‘In Luv With The Money’, it ends as it begins – with a remix of opener ‘SHAQ & KOBE’, retooled along Dame D.O.L.L.A. To crowd-busting impact. Sure, not the whole lot on here lands flawlessly, but as a work of fan-fascinating theatrics, ‘Too Good To Be True’ may have few equals in 2023. The sound of  bona fide rap icons absolutely reinvigorated, this is a record to cherish.

Eight/10