While I'm at it:
First Impressions - Hood Billionaire
Was ready to hate but it's solid and in some places no questions asked
tough. For someone so deep into the game I kind of expect more from Ross, not sure if I should feel this way, but I do. Some songs feel like a new artist coming into the game trying to emulate an established style for some light buzz (Hood Billionaire, Elvis Presley BLVD, Burn), while some songs are just undeniable hard (Coke Like The 80s, Neighbourhood Drug Dealer, Nickel Rock). Standouts are Coke Like The 80s, Phone Tap, Nickel Rock and If They Knew.
There's just this looming feeling that it just all comes down to the production for me and Ross attacks all of these songs the same way he has for years. There's a bit of sound evolution here, like Phone Tap; would love to see what Ross would do over more guitar riff samples. I think if Ross released this after Teflon Don he would've been better off than he is now.
Not bad for a second project in under a year (arguably on par with or better than Mastermind), but neither of his two were particularly exceptional. I don't know what I want from Ross anymore, or whether I'm just done with his brand of braggadocio and sifting through his grab bags of bangers for what I like. FWIW I enjoyed some of the slower songs on here more than any other project since Teflon Don. Features are pretty good for the most part (Jay is the only one I'd outright call bad), Snoop sounding back in his element and grooving a bit. KRIT song at the end sounds so tacked on though lmao
Almost exclusively in a trap & R&B vibe right now so I think I'll get more mileage than I expected out of this.
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Wu-Tang Clan - A Better Tomorrow full album stream on YT.
