Rick Ross and Meek Mill have put their differences behind them (if there ever really were any), and announced their first joint album, Too Good To Be True. While fans hadn’t seen much of them together since the pandemic — what with social distancing and rumors buzzing on social media that they weren’t on the best terms — it appears that of the members of Maybach Music Group, their bond remains the strongest.
Fans expect them to show just how strong that bond is on Too Good To Be True (with maybe a full MMG reunion involving Wale), which comes out this Friday. Here’s everything we know about the album so far:
Release Date
Too Good To Be True is out 11/10 via Maybach Music Group / Gamma. It’ll be the first release under MMG’s partnership with the new music startup, which launched earlier this year and is currently offering Snoop Dogg vinyl on its website.
Tracklist
The tracklist has yet to be released, but this post will be updated when it is.
Features
Features on the album are also TBA; however, Ross previously hinted that Wale could appear, provided his schedule allows while recording his own album for Def Jam. “It’s a good chance,” Ross intimated during an interview with The Morning Hustle. “You know how we get down.”
Singles
So far, Ross and Meek have released two singles promoting their joint album: “Shaq & Kobe” and “Lyrical Eazy.”
Artwork
tour
No tour has been announced; this post will be updated.
Plenty of rappers have entertaining stories about their interactions with other, more famous MCs. While it can sometimes go very poorly for some and even potentially start beef, other times it results in funny or even heartwarming stories. A story Meek Mill shared recently lands somewhere in between the two. The rapper, who would eventually become a Roc Nation signee, has a hilarious memory of interacting with Jay-Z early in his career.
“I seen Hov 0ne day — I’m bold as a m*thaf*cka too. He had that Roc chain on one day. I was thinking about it all day. Should I ask him?” Meek recalls during a discussion with Complex. Surprisingly, it worked perfectly for him. “I was like, ‘Yo man, can I get that Roc chain right there? I said I could buy one but it ain’t the same if I buy that sh*t, I need this actual artifact from you. He took it off and gave me that sh*t so shout-out to Jigga man for that official Roc piece.” Check out the full interview clip below.
Meek Mill has a new album coming later this week. It’s a full length collaboration with Rick Ross called Too Good To Be True. They’ve already dropped two singles from the album. First came “Shaq & Kobe” back in September and then last month they released the second single “Lyrical Eazy.” Doubling down on the NBA theme of their songs they recruited both Shaq and Damian Lillard to provide guest verses for a remix of “Shaq & Kobe” last week.
They’ve also been teasing potential features on the project, including a MMG reunion. That would mean that Wale was involved, which is seeming increasingly likely the more times they bring it up as a tease. Despite that tease and Meek promising an upcoming Drake collab, they haven’t officially shared the tracklist or features from their new album yet. What do you think of Meek Mill’s story about just asking Jay-Z for his chain? Let us know in the comment section below.
Rick Ross and Meek Mill’s joint album Too Good To Be True is coming soon, and not long after the pair dropped their dominating lead single, “Shaq & Kobe.” But already the two are suggesting that their forthcoming musical link isn’t a one-and-done arrangement.
On Thursday, October 27, during an appearance on The Morning Hustle, Ross subtly hinted that an MMG (Maybach Music Group) reunion could be on the horizon. Co-host Lore’l asked the burning question most rap fans want to know, “Where is Wale?” Although Wale recently unveiled his new single, “Max Julien,” fans were curious if he was included in Ross and Meek’s upcoming album.
Ross cleared that up, saying, “Wale is actually working on his [own] project. He’s doing his thing. He’s over at Def Jam Records.”
Ross later teased that a future collaboration could be in the near future. “It’s a good chance. You know how we get down,” he said. While it’s unclear if an entire album, similar to their 2011 Self Made Vol. 1, will come from this confession, it’s exciting to know that the trio will lock into a studio soon.
Later in the conversation, Ross was asked why he hadn’t recorded a collaborative album with Meek in the past. “This was the right time,” he replied. “We’re both solo artists and both doing our thing. I’m building MMG, and he’s building Dream Chasers [Records]. I felt like this was the right time. You know what I mean, it just came together. So we spent a little time together, and we got into the studio. Sh*t just came together too easily; it just flowed.”
Watch the full interview above.
Too Good To Be True is out 11/10 via Maybach Music Group / Gamma. Find more information here.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
No ID’s impressive resume speaks for itself, as he has produced countless hits. The legendary producer and former MC has played an important role in shaping some of the greatest voices in hip hop and R&B. Since 1992, he has produced countless classics for legendary rappers and singers. He also is responsible for crafting early hits for the big names of today. With his label ARTium Recordings, No ID also has helped develop many careers, including the likes of Jhené Aiko, Vince Staples, and Snoh Aalegra. Additionally, he was also a member of the Cocaine 80’s collective alongside James Fauntleroy and other like-minded musicians.
With a vast catalog of classic beats, No ID has maintained his legacy. Today, we will be taking a deep dive into the producer’s seven most unforgettable productions. These selections include songs solely produced by No ID and exclude his countless co-productions. Take a look at the list below.
No ID’s working relationship with Common runs deep. The two first united back in 1992 to release Can I Borrow A Dollar?, the Chicago rapper’s debut album under the name Common Sense. The album marked No ID’s first production credits and a fruitful relationship that continued further. No ID eventually produced both Common’s The Dreamer/The Believer and Nobody’s Smiling albums in their entirety, as well as the majority of One Day It’ll All Make Sense. He also produced Common’s 1994 album, Resurrection, which included “I Used to Love H.E.R.” An all-time hip hop classic, Common spits a love letter to hip hop over a jazzy boom bap beat. Out of the many songs that the two created together, “I Used to Love H.E.R.” remains their most significant collaboration and one of No ID’s most unforgettable productions.
JAY-Z – “D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)” (2009)
No ID has a track record of making beats for contentious songs within hip hop culture. Perhaps the most memorable is his 2009 collaboration with JAY-Z that declared the “Death of Auto-Tune.” The song criticized the popular use of auto-tune in modern music. “No ID on the track, let the story begin,” Jay says before starting his first verse over a saxophone-heavy beat with a hard-hitting drum break.
“D.O.A.” was quite polarizing. It garnered reactions from artists who took offense, the many rappers who remixed the track, and T-Pain, who later joined Jay on stage during a live performance of the song. Some of No ID’s later productions also started massive dialogues within hip hop, including Big Sean, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay Electronica’s “Control.” There was also JAY-Z’s “The Story of OJ,” which Pusha T repurposed into a lethal diss track with “The Story of Adidon.”
Rick Ross feat. Cee-Lo Green – “Tears Of Joy” (2010)
Rick Ross started “Tears of Joy” with a shout-out to No ID, just like JAY-Z did on “D.O.A.” A highlight from Teflon Don, which many consider to be his magnum opus, “Tears of Joy” sees Rick Ross at his most reflective. The soulful and slowly-building instrumental brings the best out of Rozay, resulting in one of the most emotional moments of his discography. He looks back at his journey, crying joyfully at his success. The powerful chorus from Cee-Lo Green takes the song to another level, complementing the No ID production. The gorgeous instrumental is one of the producer’s most memorable beats. It was later repurposed by Slaughterhouse for the 14-minute “Truth or Truth, Pt. 1.”
Nas – “Daughters” (2012)
While Salaam Remi handled most of the production on Nas’s Life is Good album, No ID also made sizable contributions, producing six tracks. Among the tracklist was the Grammy-nominated single “Daughters.” A mature song about watching his daughter grow up, Nas speaks to fathers with daughters and addresses his own shortcomings as a parent. The track’s soulful production evokes the emotional transparency of the lyrics, making for one of Nas’s best tracks and one of No ID’s most unforgettable productions.
Vince Staples feat. Snoh Aalegra – “Jump Off The Roof” (2015)
No ID played an integral role in Vince Staples’s early career, producing most of his Shyne Coldchain II mixtape and his single, “Hands Up.” He also handles the majority of the production on Summertime ‘06, the debut album from the Long Beach rapper and former ARTium signee. Among its 20-song tracklist is “Jump Off the Roof,” a No ID-produced banger that ponders one’s addictions. Snoh Aalegra, another ARTium signee, appears on the track as well. The hectic production of “Jump Off the Roof” brings the best out of Vince, resulting in one of his most exciting tracks.
Rihanna – “Higher” (2016)
No ID and Rihanna have worked together on multiple occasions, but their greatest and most memorable collaboration comes from 2016’s ANTI. “Higher” is one of Rihanna’s most vulnerable moments and greatest vocal performances. Thanks to No ID’s cinematic production, Rihanna delivers one of her best ballads. The minimal strings and elegant piano dance around her vocals as she belts every word. “Higher” was eventually sampled for Jay Electronica’s “Flux Capacitor” from A Written Testimony, an album on which No I.D. also produced.
JAY-Z – “4:44” (2017)
After years of prolific collaborations, JAY-Z and No ID came together for 4:44, Jay’s most personal work to date. While Jay’s emotionally transparent lyricism fueled the album’s substance, No ID’s unique approach to production clearly inspired its artistic direction. “I began to play the samples like I would play an instrument,” he told Rolling Stone about the album’s creation. A sample-heavy album, 4:44’s use of soul and jazz records helped emphasize the lyrical content.
The album’s title track is a standout moment that sees JAY-Z openly apologizing to Beyoncé for his infidelity and trying to be a better husband. The looped sample of Hannah Williams & The Affirmations’ “Late Nights & Heartbreak” accentuates Jay’s vulnerability. “I’m never gonna treat you like I should,” the sample cries as it relates to the somber tone of the verses. With an unforgettable beat from No ID, “4:44” acts as the album’s focal point and is one of JAY-Z’s most powerful songs.
The last time Kanye West attempted to roll out an album, the process was nothing short of tumultuous. Of course, at this point, the rapper’s fanbase has become accustomed to regular delays and cancellations from their favourite artist, who’s been hinting at something cooking up over the past few months. He and Ty Dolla Sign have reportedly been planning for a massive performance in Italy, though that was postponed earlier this week. Amid that news, reports of West having a difficult time finding a distributor for his next LP have been spreading rapidly.
Even with all the trouble he’s landed himself in over his comments on the Jewish community, the 46-year-old still has friends willing to stick their neck out for him. Among them is Rick Ross, who publicly expressed an interest in signing West to his Maybach Music Group label. “Imagine if Ye came and allowed MMG to distribute his new project,” the “Purple Lamborghini” hitmaker reflected.
“Imagine that. What’s your favorite Rick Ross, Ye collab? Imagine that. Imagine the artistic drive. And I got some amazing ideas for the Yeezy brand. Amazing ideas for the Yeezy brand! Let’s speak,” Ross said in a video on his Instagram Story earlier this week. As the Southern superstar also pointed out, he and West have put out some incredible collaborations over the years, including “Devil in a New Dress” and “Monster” from the fashion designer’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy LP.
Considering all the controversy Kanye West has found himself wrapped up in throughout his career, we’re not exactly surprised that he’s having so much difficulty finding a willing distributor for his next project – no matter how highly anticipated it is. Reflect on some of the father of four’s most memorable (but not entirely flattering) moments in the spotlight at the link below. What’s your favourite collaboration between Ye and Rozay? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Meek Mill and Rick Ross’ upcoming joint album Too Good To Be True officially has a release date: November 10. In a new pair of videos depicting the album’s recording process, the longtime collaborators appear to be locked into the studio, where they receive visits from DJ Khaled and Diddy, who hype up the release before title cards reveal the album’s release date.
Meek and Ross first promoted the project’s impending release with their single “Shaq & Kobe,” later announcing its title and tell Apple Music’s Ebro Darden about its creation.
The project will be released by Ross’ Maybach Music Group imprint in a new partnership with Gamma, a music startup founded by veteran music execs Larry Jackson and Ike Youssef with funding from Apple and A24. The album will see Meek and Ross join forces again for the first time since 2019’s Port Of Miami 2, where Meek appeared on “Bogus Charms.”
However, those rumors appeared to be unfounded; late last year, Ross joined Meek onstage to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of his debut album Dreams & Nightmares.
Too Good To Be True is out 11/10 via Maybach Music Group / Gamma.
Meek Mill and Rick Ross are ready to take you into the world of Too Good To Be True. The album is set to be released on Nov. 10, as revealed in a trailer featuring Diddy, DJ Khaled, and more.
“N-ggas ain’t seen me or Ross around each other for a long time,” Meek says in the trailer. “We got back to the business, straight back to the family, love, and jumped right back in the studio immediately. So, y’all about to get that live and direct and what happens. Tune in.”
Meek Mill and Rick Ross recently graced Ebro Darden’s Rap Life Radio with their presence for a special edition, marking the release of their latest single, “Shaq & Kobe.” But the excitement didn’t stop there – the dynamic duo had a major announcement up their sleeves. They revealed plans for an eagerly anticipated collaboration album, Too Good To Be True.
During the show, the two rap heavyweights expressed their exhilaration at the prospect of recording together again, emphasizing the electrifying energy of being back in the studio. Their collective efforts transcend music, as they are equally dedicated to securing their legacies through groundbreaking business deals.
“We won already,” Ross said. “We playing with what? The house’s money and it’s only one way to explain that or describe that. It’s too good to be true, which is the name of the project me and Meek Mill will be releasing.”
Ross revealed the album took him and Meek two and a half months to complete. Meek added, “When me and Rozay got in the studio, it was all about real energy, organic motivation. This Rozay, I’m rapping next to too. This Rozay, top five dead or alive right now. I don’t know who want to argue with that.”
In a noteworthy twist, both Meek Mill and Rick Ross underscored their commitment to prioritizing their health, signaling a new chapter in their lives. The announcement has fans eagerly awaiting their forthcoming album and celebrating the enduring influence of these rap icons in the music industry.
“I wasn’t healthy,” Meek said. I was drinking liquor every day. My stomach was bent over for a year and a half. I came home 2019, I couldn’t smoke weed or really drink liquor like that. And before 2019, I was off the lean and all that.
“I changed my lifestyle. Well I thought I changed, try to change over to the liquor every day. I’m being on tour afterparty. That kind of ruined up my stomach. So I had to sit down for a minute, let my shit build up. That was another human trial that we go through on the inside and they’re like, yo, when you dropping I’m telling my own family, yo, my stomach fucked up. Y’all, I weigh 170, bro. It’s on hit right now.”
