Rich Forever

Last updated
Rich Forever
Rick Ross Rich Forever.JPG
Mixtape by
ReleasedJanuary 6, 2012 (January 6, 2012)
Recorded2011
Genre Hip hop
Length79:00
Label
Producer
Rick Ross chronology
Ashes to Ashes
(2010)
Rich Forever
(2012)
The Black Bar Mitzvah
(2012)
Singles from Rich Forever
  1. "Stay Schemin'"
    Released: April 17, 2012

Rich Forever is the second mixtape by American rapper Rick Ross. It was released on January 6, 2012. It became one of the most downloaded hip hop mixtapes of all time. The mixtape spawned one commercial single, "Stay Schemin'" and features guest appearances from Diddy, 2 Chainz, Wale, John Legend, Nas, Kelly Rowland, Styles P, Birdman, Meek Mill, French Montana, Pharrell, Future, Stalley and Drake. [1] [2]

Contents

Background

On January 6, 2012, the music video for Stay Schemin' featuring Drake, and French Montana was released. [3] On February 8, 2012, the music video was released for "Yella Diamonds". [4] On February 14, 2012, the music video was released for "MMG Untouchable". [5] On February 21, 2012, the music video was released for "High Definition". [6] On March 20, 2012, the music video was released for "I Swear To God". [7] On March 30, 2012, the music video was released for "Party Heart" featuring 2 Chainz and Stalley. [8] On April 15, 2012, the music video was released for "Ring Ring" featuring Future. [9]

Critical response

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 75/100 [10]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllHipHop 8/10 [11]
The A.V. Club B+ [12]
Consequence of Sound Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Fact 3.5/5 [14]
Pitchfork 8.2/10 [15]
PopMatters 5/10 [16]
RapReviews5/10 [17]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [18]
Spin 7/10 [19]
XXL 4/5 [20]

Rich Forever was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the mixtape received an average score of 70, based on 12 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews". [10] Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone gave the mixtape three and a half stars out of five, saying "Rich Forever is a mixtape that plays like an album, with blaring, heraldic production by the likes of Boi-1da and up-and-comer Beat Billionaire, plus guest appearances by Drake, Nas and Diddy." [18] Evan Rytlewski of The A.V. Club gave the mixtape a B+, saying "Rich Forever meets a standard of quality control that’s rare for albums, let alone mixtapes: 18 new songs, all of them good, many of them exhilarating—chief among them the exultant “Keys To The Crib,” and “Triple Beam Dreams,” a courtroom drama featuring an elaborate Nas verse that's downright Illmatic-worthy. It's a big project, but it never drags, overreaches, or stumbles; Ross rhymes throughout with so much power and economy that it just keeps barreling forward. If he can sustain this remarkable stride, Ross could probably pull off a double album if he wanted to." [12]

Mike Madden of Consequence of Sound gave the mixtape three out of five stars, saying "Rich Forever doesn't boast any potential mega-hits. But that's actually a good reason to give this a spin; the songs here are strong without shooting for the stars, hopefully because Ross is saving that kind of stuff for God Forgives. Consider this a rousing sneak-peek to what could be rap's biggest event-album of 2012." [13] Jordan Sargent of Pitchfork gave the mixtape an 8.2 out of 10, saying "Rich Forever adds vindictive muscle to a motto that at one point might have come off as a hollow attempt at branding. It's a record that uses nastiness to cement the character "Rick Ross" as three-dimensional, and uses a barrage of bangers to cement the rapper Rick Ross as an undeniable force." [15] David Amidon of PopMatters gave the mixtape a five out of ten, saying "Rich Forever is Ross at his most emotionally basic, and therefore, anyone choosing to take its journey should be willing to admit it's mainly for the aesthetic quality of his bearded husk grunting over some of the crispiest production you're likely to hear in 2012, even if the sum of those parts is somewhat unremarkable most of the time." [16]

Carl Chery of XXL gave the mixtape an XL, saying "With Rich Forever, Ross continues to cement his position as one of hip-hop’s best artists. The tape surely sets the table for God Forgives, I Don’t to be the career-album rap fans and critics are expecting from Rozay. And if Ross is simply giving away music of this caliber, Lord knows he’ll be taking it up a few notches with his next commercial release." [20] Jonathan Witz of AllHipHop gave the mixtape an eight out of ten, saying "Overall, Rich Forever is good enough to be an album, which ends up raising the bar as well as fan expectations for Ross’s delayed and much-anticipated upcoming LP. The entire process of releasing the Rich Forever tape generated a huge amount of buzz for the album as Ross had likely planned. Now, all he has to do is fulfill even higher expectations on God Forgives, I Don’t and continue to lead the way for his Maybach Music Group in 2012." [11] Pedro Hernandez of RapReviews gave the mixtape a five out of ten, saying "Though I doubt these songs will have much in the form of lasting impact on anyone, for a weekend of partying or long car drive to work there certainly is enough to warrant a download. According to my own metrics, I see myself holding on to a good 8-9 tracks off of this for those moments I want to detach from reality in every way and pretend to be the lead in Scarface." [17]

Accolades

The mixtape was named the third best album of 2012 by Complex , [21] the 45th best by Rolling Stone [22] and 47th best by Stereogum. [23] In October 2013, Complex named it the seventh best hip hop album of the last five years. [24]

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s) [25] Length
1."Holy Ghost" (featuring Diddy)Lil' Lody3:26
2."High Definition"Saint Denson3:56
3."MMG Untouchable" Arthur McArthur, Boi-1da 2:36
4."Yella Diamonds" (additional vocals by Birdman)Beat Billionaire4:25
5."Fuck Em" (featuring 2 Chainz & Wale)Academy Productionz4:30
6."London" (skit) 0:52
7."Rich Forever" (featuring John Legend) DVLP, Filthy5:05
8."Triple Beam Dreams" (featuring Nas) J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League 4:22
9."Mine Games" (featuring Kelly Rowland)Arthur McArthur3:37
10."New Bugatti" (featuring Diddy)D. Rich3:02
11."Keys to the Crib" (featuring Styles P) Lee Major 4:36
12."Last Breath" (featuring Birdman & Meek Mill)D. Rich5:24
13."I Swear to God"Beat Billionaire4:00
14."Off the Boat" (featuring French Montana) Lex Luger 3:26
15."King of Diamonds" Mike WiLL Made It 3:58
16."Ring Ring" (featuring Future)Cubic Z, DJ Spinz3:07
17."MMG the World is Ours" (featuring Pharrell, Meek Mill & Stalley)Boi-1da, Vinylz6:08
18."Party Heart" (featuring Stalley & 2 Chainz) Chuck Inglish 4:27
19."Stay Schemin'" (featuring Drake & French Montana)The Beat Bully4:28
20."Shaheem Reid Speaks" 3:41

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stalley</span> American rapper from Ohio

Kyle Alfonso Myricks, better known by his stage name Stalley, is an American rapper from Massillon, Ohio.

<i>Self Made Vol. 1</i> 2011 compilation album by Maybach Music Group

Self Made Vol. 1 is a compilation album by MMG. The album was released on May 24, 2011, by Maybach Music Group and Warner Bros. Records. It features MMG's new roster additions, Wale, Meek Mill, Teedra Moses, Pill and Stalley along with Torch and Gunplay of Triple C's. Outside of the label, the album features guest appearances from Curren$y, Jadakiss, Jeremih, J. Cole, CyHi the Prynce and French Montana.

<i>Excuse My French</i> (album) 2013 studio album by French Montana

Excuse My French is the debut studio album by Moroccan-American rapper French Montana. It was released on May 21, 2013, by Coke Boys Records, Bad Boy Records, Maybach Music Group and Interscope Records. The album features guest appearances from Diddy, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Ace Hood, Lil Wayne, Birdman, The Weeknd, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Max B, Ne-Yo, Machine Gun Kelly, Raekwon, Scarface and Snoop Dogg, while the production was handled by Mike Will Made It, Jahlil Beats, Reefa, Rico Love, Lex Luger and Young Chop. The album was supported by three singles: "Pop That", "Freaks" and "Ain't Worried About Nothin'".

<i>Self Made Vol. 2</i> 2012 compilation album by Maybach Music Group

Self Made Vol. 2 is the second compilation album by MMG. The album was released on June 26, 2012, by Maybach Music Group, Warner Bros. Records and Def Jam Recordings. Like the previous album, Self Made Vol. 2 features contributions from members signed to the MMG label including Rick Ross, Wale, Meek Mill, Stalley, French Montana and Omarion along with Gunplay of Triple C's.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stay Schemin'</span> 2012 single by Rick Ross featuring Drake and French Montana

"Stay Schemin'" is a single by American rapper Rick Ross featuring Drake and French Montana. It was released on his 2012 mixtape Rich Forever. The track was released as a digital download from iTunes on April 17, 2012. It is a hip hop song that interpolates its chorus, sung by French Montana, from an unreleased Nas song titled "Day Dreamin, Stay Schemin," which covers the Kurtis Blow song, "Daydreamin'", with new lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Touch'N You</span> 2012 single by Rick Ross featuring Usher

"Touch'N You" is a song by American rapper Rick Ross, featuring vocals from American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor Usher. It was released as the first single from his fifth studio album, God Forgives, I Don't on May 22, 2012. The song was produced by Rico Love and Pierre Medor. The music video was directed by Chris Robinson and features Omarion, Wale, DJ Khaled, actress and model Tae Heckard as Ross's leading lady.

<i>Finally Rich</i> 2012 studio album by Chief Keef

Finally Rich is the debut studio album by American rapper Chief Keef. It was released on December 18, 2012, by Glory Boyz Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album features guest appearances from 50 Cent, Wiz Khalifa, Lil Reese, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Master P, French Montana, and Fat Trel.

<i>God Willn</i> 2013 mixtape by Juelz Santana

God Will'n is the seventh mixtape by American rapper Juelz Santana, released on January 14, 2013. It is Santana's first solo project since 2005. The mixtape features guest appearances from Jadakiss, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Fabolous, Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Lloyd Banks, Future, Jeremih, Jim Jones, Wale and Bounce. With production coming from Sha Money XL and Jahlil Beats, among others.

<i>Wrath of Caine</i> 2013 mixtape by Pusha T

Wrath of Caine is the second mixtape by American rapper Pusha T, released on January 28, 2013 under GOOD Music and Re-Up Records. The mixtape features guest appearances from Rick Ross, French Montana, Popcaan, Travis Scott, Troy Ave, Kevin Gates, Andrea Martin and Wale. Production varies from Kanye West, Young Chop, Jake One and The Neptunes, among others.

<i>Trials & Tribulations</i> (Ace Hood album) 2013 studio album by Ace Hood

Trials & Tribulations is the fourth studio album by American rapper Ace Hood. It was released on July 16, 2013, by We the Best Music Group, Dollaz N Dealz Entertainment, Cash Money Records and distributed by Republic Records. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Boi-1da, Young Chop, Southside, Metro Boomin, Mike Will Made It, TM88, Cardiak, Sonny Digital and many others. The album also features guest appearances from Meek Mill, Future, Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa, T.I., 2 Chainz, Birdman and Anthony Hamilton among others.

<i>The Gifted</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Wale

The Gifted is the third studio album by American rapper Wale. The album was released on June 25, 2013 by Maybach Music Group, Allido Records, and Atlantic Records. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Just Blaze, Jake One, Kane Beatz, Cardiak, The Runners and Lee Major among others. The album also features guest appearances from Meek Mill, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa and 2 Chainz among others.

<i>Trap House III</i> 2013 studio album by Gucci Mane

Trap House III is a mixtape by American rapper Gucci Mane. The project serves as a sequel to his fourth album Back to the Trap House (2007). The album was released exclusively to digital download retailers on May 21, 2013 independently by 1017 Brick Squad Records and 101 Distribution. The project features guest appearances from Rick Ross, Rich Homie Quan, Wiz Khalifa, Shawty Lo, Young Scooter, Young Thug and Chief Keef among others.

<i>Self Made Vol. 3</i> 2013 compilation album by Maybach Music Group

Self Made Vol. 3 is the third compilation album by MMG. The album was released on September 17, 2013, by Maybach Music Group and Atlantic Records. Like the two previous albums in the Self Made series, the album features contributions from members signed to the MMG label including Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Wale, Stalley, French Montana, Omarion and Rockie Fresh along with Gunplay, Young Breed and Torch of Triple C's. The album features additional guest appearances from Yo Gotti, Lil Boosie, Birdman, J. Cole, Fabolous, Pusha T, Hit-Boy, and Lupe Fiasco among others.

<i>Electric Highway</i> 2013 mixtape by Rockie Fresh

Electric Highway is the fifth mixtape by American rapper Rockie Fresh, it was released on January 21, 2013. The mixtape features guest appearances from Lunice, Rick Ross, Nipsey Hussle, Sasha Go Hard and Currensy. The mixtape is hosted by DJ Ill Will.

<i>Rich Gang</i> (album) 2013 compilation album by Birdman

Rich Gang is a compilation album by Young Money and Cash Money as the supergroup Rich Gang. The album was released July 23, 2013, by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Motown Records. The album contains contributions from several YMCMB members, including Birdman, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Mack Maine, Limp Bizkit, Bow Wow, Ace Hood, Jae Millz, Cory Gunz, Gudda Gudda, Caskey, Detail, Busta Rhymes and Mystikal. The compilation also features guest appearances from artists outside the labels, including Future, Meek Mill, French Montana, T.I., Yo Gotti, Flo Rida, Chris Brown, Rick Ross, The Game, Kendrick Lamar, and R. Kelly. The album was supported by the three singles "Tapout" which peaked at No. 45 on the Billboard Hot 100, along with the R. Kelly featured "We Been On" and "50 Plates" by Rick Ross. The album received generally mixed reviews from music critics and sold 40,000 copies in the US after three weeks of sale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stalley discography</span>

The discography of Stalley, an American hip hop recording artist, consists of four studio albums, seven mixtapes, six extended plays (EPs) and three collaborative albums.

<i>Crenshaw</i> (mixtape) 2013 mixtape by Nipsey Hussle

Crenshaw is the eighth official mixtape by American rapper Nipsey Hussle. The mixtape was released as a free digital download on October 8, 2013, on mixtape hosting websites. It was also released in a limited first edition of 1,000 copies for $100 each including other incentives via his All Money In record label. The mixtape features production by The Futuristiks, 1500 or Nothin', 9th Wonder, DJ Dahi, Mike Free, Ralo, Wizzo and Jiggy Hendrix, among others. Guest appearances on the mixtape came from Rick Ross, Dom Kennedy, Slim Thug, James Fauntleroy II, Z-Ro, Skeme and Sade among others. The mixtape was supported by the singles "Checc Me Out" featuring Dom Kennedy and Cobby Supreme, "U See Us", "The Weather" featuring Rick Ross, "If U Were Mine" featuring Fauntleroy, and "1 of 1".

<i>Ohio</i> (Stalley album) 2014 studio album by Stalley

Ohio is the debut studio album by American rapper Stalley. The album was released on October 27, 2014, by Maybach Music Group and Atlantic Records. The album features guest appearances from Nipsey Hussle, Rick Ross, August Alsina, Ty Dolla Sign, Rashad and De La Soul. The album was supported by the singles "Always Into Something", "Jackin' Chevys" and "One More Shot".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maybach Music Group</span> Record label

Maybach Music Group is a record label imprint founded by American rapper Rick Ross. Maybach Music Group albums are distributed by Atlantic Records, a division of the Atlantic Records Group. Atlantic took over distribution following the expiration of a deal with Island Def Jam. As of December 12, 2012, the label releases are now distributed by Atlantic Records. 19 solo and three compilation albums have been released by Maybach Music Group, including five certified Gold albums and three certified Platinum albums.

<i>God Forgives, I Dont</i> 2012 studio album by Rick Ross

God Forgives, I Don't is the fifth studio album by American rapper Rick Ross. It was released on July 30, 2012, by Maybach Music Group and Slip-n-Slide Records, and distributed by Def Jam Recordings. The album was produced by several record producers, including Cool & Dre, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Pharrell, Jake One, and Rico Love, among others.

References

  1. "Rick Ross - Rich Forever Mixtape - Hosted by DJ Scream, Shaheem Reid, MMG". Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
  2. Madden, Sidney. "Rick Ross' 'Rich Forever' Mixtape Was Supposed to Be an Album - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  3. "Video: Rick Ross f/ Drake & French Montana – 'Stay Schemin". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
  4. "New Video: Rick Ross "Yella Diamonds"". Rap Radar. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
  5. "New Video: Rick Ross "MMG Untouchable"". Rap Radar. 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
  6. "New Video: Rick Ross "High Definition"". Rap Radar. 2012-02-21. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
  7. "New Video: Rick Ross "I Swear To God"". Rap Radar. 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
  8. "New Video: Stalley x Rick Ross "Party Heart"". Rap Radar. 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
  9. "New Video: Rick Ross x Future "Ring Ring"". Rap Radar. 2012-04-15. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
  10. 1 2 "Reviews for Rich Forever by Rick Ross". Metacritic . Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  11. 1 2 Witz, Jonathan (January 9, 2012). "Mixtape Review: Rick Ross' "Rich Forever"". AllHipHop . Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  12. 1 2 Rytlewski, Evan (January 24, 2012). "Rick Ross: Rich Forever". The A.V. Club . Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  13. 1 2 Madden, Mike (January 13, 2012). "Album Review: Rick Ross – Rich Forever". Consequence of Sound . Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  14. Law, Jack (February 10, 2012). "Rick Ross: Rich Forever". Fact . Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  15. 1 2 Sargent, Jordan (January 13, 2012). "Rick Ross: Rich Forever". Pitchfork . Retrieved January 13, 2012.
  16. 1 2 Amidon, David (January 23, 2012). "Rick Ross: Rich Forever". PopMatters . Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  17. 1 2 Hernandez, Pedro "DJ Complejo" (January 24, 2012). "Rick Ross :: Rich Forever :: LiveMixtapes.com". RapReviews. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  18. 1 2 Rosen, Jody (January 13, 2012). "Rich Forever". Rolling Stone . Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  19. Nosnitsky, Andrew (January 6, 2012). "Rick Ross, 'Rich Forever' (Maybach Music)". Spin . Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  20. 1 2 Chery, Carl (January 9, 2012). "Rick Ross, Rich Forever". XXL . Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  21. "3. Rick Ross, Rich Forever — The 50 Best Albums of 2012". Complex. 2012-12-18. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
  22. "50 Best Albums of 2012: Rick Ross, 'Rich Forever'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
  23. "Stereogum's Top 50 Albums Of 2012". Stereogum. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
  24. "7. Rick Ross, Rich Forever (2012) — The 10 Best Rap Albums of The Last 5 Years". Complex. 2013-10-07. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  25. "Tracklist: Rick Ross "Rich Forever"". Complex . Retrieved January 5, 2012.