Rick Ross Does Not Own A Tiger
Blazing Hip Hop & Artificial Intelligence.
Since he came in the game, Rick Ross has been rap’s premiere fabulist.
“I know Pablo… Noriega… the real Noriega, he owe me a hundred favors.”
Sure!
Not making any value judgement here, I wrote Ricky’s first mag feature (lol and also HUH). His flair for embellishment has stretched across multiple decades, powering countless features and funding at least thirty Wing Stop franchises.
A hit’s a hit, and RR’s got a bunch of ‘em.
Unlike a number of his peers, the guy has always seemed to be enjoying himself throughout, embracing a natural — dare I say endearing! — knack for the absurd.
“Minks In Miami” is his latest, a perfect specimen of lab-grown 2026 unc hop: mix universally beloved sample with resurgent NYC mainstays, garnish with Flex bomb, play loudly at hookah establishment.
Solid if unremarkable Serato fodder, but the visuals called for a post.
I’ve always appreciated how director Kid Art would put in the effort to deliver an aesthetic sensibility on a mixtape budget, even when the auteurist touch is something as basic as “cool lighting.” The weed smoke tropes are all there, but so is a clever split screen or interesting edit choice…
Of course, that now means AI.
I watch too many music videos, so in no way is this a new development. Almost every clip has some form of generative AI for transitions, background replacement, explosions…
There are more egregious examples than others, but I didn’t come here to litigate! At this point (of no return), probably healthier to think of the technology as a switch on the blick and return fire in a way that works for you.
NGL I quite enjoy how the fully internet poisoned have been using it; melted medullas are nothing if not an accurate reflection of our times. But in a world of Byrna commercials, Ricky’s (relatively tasteful) virtual tiger and logo’d speedboat don’t take things nearly far enough.
Our guy already resides in Florida the uncanny valley…
Sora could never invent faceted veneers.
ThxSoMch, “Bestby” — was not paying attention when this kid had his first viral moment but enjoying the fuccboi follow-up very much. No matter your age, there’s always a parking lot of the soul to loiter in.
ford., “Music Lights Color” (nice ‘n Avalanches-y)
Pearl & The Oysters, “Wide Awake” (guitarmonies 4eva)
Dorian Electra, “Mr. Tambourine Man” (b2b Frost Children “Bob Dylan”)
Lightris, “Up Down” (twee Midwest rap in Brownsville, why not)
Will It Emo: Iyaz, “Replay” (spoiler alert: it will)
DTF St Louis on HBO — tonally odd and tenderhearted Home Box Office loosie that “plays around with your idea of enjoyment in television.” Understandably, there’s not a ton of chatter around it; the show’s many quirks (American Sign Language, recumbent bicycles, Peyronie’s Disease) can read as affectations, and its pacing is deliberate to the edge of sloooooow. But each ep is beautifully shot and thematically rich — and always nice to see Linda Cardellini in a non-Mrs. Hawkeye capacity. DABOODEEBOOTELLLYOOO!
Mad Bills To Pay trailer (looking fwd to this)
Musician Aaron David Ross on misusing the tools you’re given
History of Luscious Jackson / Breeders side quest The Kostars
Chris Robinson on the Black Crowes’ Finest and Most Misunderstood Music (the man gives good interview!)
Playlists updated…