Rick Ross

It's safe to say that fame has not changed Rick Ross. The boastful style, the drug-motivated rhymes and the endless lists of expensive, shiny objects that were present in Ross's 2006 debut album, Port of Miami, are all offered up again in his 2008 follow-up, Trilla.

The majority of the album is devoted to Ross reveling in his affluent lifestyle. In nearly every song, Ross mentions his undeniable talents at dealing cocaine. He raps about "big cars, big cribs," spending "a million just in diamonds," and how in general his "money is coming too fast." And you know you have really run out of ways to display your wealth when you proclaim "my daughter's college pre-paid," as Ross does on "Billionaire." But what do you expect from a rapper whose stage name is that of one the most notorious drug traffickers of all time?

Yet, if you take Trilla for what it is-vapid, shallow rapping dependent on a multitude of cameos and collaborations-then it's really not all that bad. While the jazzy tones of "This Is The Life" and "Luxury Tax," as well as the slower sounds of "Maybach Music" or "This Me" could all be summarized in one phrase-"I'm rich and you're not"-they are nonetheless excellent songs with captivating beats. The album is also infused with impressive appearances by Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, T-Pain and Trey Songz, among others.

But the most interesting piece on the album is also the last: "I'm Only Human." It seems like the only song where Ross tries to shed his thug image and rhyme about his own life. The gospel track finds Ross discussing his troubled childhood, how he turned to rap as a constructive outlet for his frustration and admitting that he "makes mistakes." It's a fascinating, genuine song and a welcome change from the rest of Trilla. Unfortunately, Ross spends too much time claiming that he is invincible, when his more honest work is also his best.