Artist: Maybach Music Group
Album: Self Made
Release Date: May 23, 2011
Star Rating: 4

- “What is this?”
- “Maybach Music”
- “I like this Maybach Music”
- “Sweet!”

Maybach Music has been Rick Ross’s theme for sometime now, but the creation of the Maybach Music Group record company sparked something something completely different. The collaboration of different artists and styles is something that would only sound nice if Rick Ross did it. The harsh loud beats paired with the rebellious lyrics give this album that “wake up and smell the coffee” feeling.
Ive been a big Wale fan for many years now and Ross has always been the boss in my mind. But after listening to this album, I have new found appreciation for other artists like Meek Mill and Pill. They all bring whatever they have to the table and leave nothing behind. As always, Wale brings his poetic style and rich background to complement tracks regarding just about anything. His appreciation of Rick Ross and enjoyment of being part of the record label can be seen as he raps every word. But this is obviously no one man show and the group does an amazing job of smoothly bringing together all different styles into every song.

The good thing about having a group like this is that many different fans come together with their different tastes and experience the same music. The overall theme is the same throughout the album. The title being “Self Made,” every song talks about making it in the world and living the cash filled extravagant life. Songs like “Ima Boss” bring those images to life and are vividly painted by each artist present on the track.As Meek Mill says “I be riding through my old hood, but I’m in my new whip,” the big picture can easily be seen. The past is still present in their lives reminding them and showing us where they came from. At the same time the “new whip” signifies the new lifestyle they are now a part of, and how it differs from what they used to experience.

Im not a fan of dissecting an artists’ lyrics because different people might see different things in the same line. But I wanted to point out that this album is more the what some label as “dumb music.” I agree that this might not be an album about intellectual topics other artists talk about, but it is definitely an album worth a second look. At first listen it might sound like something that DJs chop up at parties. But if you listen to the words, you’ll understand that there is more to learn about what each artist has to say.