Rick Ross Mastermind — Deluxe Version 2014a Top

The deluxe version included stellar guest appearances that added depth, most notably the collaboration with rap legends Scarface and Z-Ro.

Rick Ross's "Mastermind" Deluxe version showcases his lyrical ability and features collaborations with several artists from various genres, highlighting his place in the hip-hop world in 2014.

The album features a heavy roster of guest appearances, including Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne. Rich Is Gangsta Drug Dealers Dream Shots Fired (feat. French Montana) The Devil Is a Lie (feat. Jay-Z) Mafia Music III (feat. Sizzla & Mavado) (feat. Jeezy) What a Shame (feat. French Montana) Dope Bitch (feat. The Weeknd) Sanctified (feat. Kanye West & Big Sean) Walkin' on Air (feat. Meek Mill) (feat. Lil Wayne) Blessing in Disguise (feat. Scarface & Z-Ro) — Deluxe Bonus Paradise Lost Deluxe Bonus You Know I Got It (Reprise) Deluxe Bonus Performance and Reception rick ross mastermind deluxe version 2014a top

: Stepping slightly outside his traditional boom-bap comfort zone, Ross glides over a dark, sultry, atmospheric R&B production tailored perfectly for Abel Tesfaye's haunting vocals.

By early 2014, the hip-hop landscape belonged to Rick Ross. Having weathered industry feuds and legal battles, the Maybach Music Group (MMG) captain was ready to release his most ambitious album yet. Initially teased with a rumored December 2013 release date, Mastermind faced delays that built significant hype for a March release. The deluxe version included stellar guest appearances that

The album features production from notable producers, including:

Lyrically, Mastermind finds Ross at his most confident. On "Nobody," he pays homage to Notorious B.I.G. with a reimagining of "You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)," featuring French Montana and Diddy. It was a bold move that could have easily backfired, but Ross’s authoritative delivery made it feel like a passing of the torch rather than a simple cover. The chemistry between Ross and Jay-Z on "The Devil Is a Lie" remains a career highlight for both, showcasing two titans of industry trading verses over explosive, brass-heavy production. Rich Is Gangsta Drug Dealers Dream Shots Fired (feat

Serving as the album’s co-executive producer, Sean "Diddy" Combs infused the project with the classic Bad Boy Records DNA. His signature ad-libs, talking segments, and sonic polishing give the entire album the polished veneer of a 1990s multi-platinum rap classic. Track-by-Track Highlights: The Anatomy of a Mastermind

(feat. Meek Mill) – A high-octane collaboration between the head of MMG and his star artist.

9.5/10 (minus .5 only because we wish there were two more tracks).

highlighted that Ross attempted the "near-impossible" by trying to transition from a pure "boastmaster" to a serious artist, noting the album felt like the first time he had actually seen the "last act of Scarface". The Deluxe Value