Too Good to Be True is a collaborative studio album by American rappers Rick Ross and Meek Mill.[1] It was released on November 10, 2023,[2] through Maybach Music Group under exclusive license to Gamma.[3][4] It features a single collaboration with Cool & Dre, along with guest appearances from Beam, Vory, Fabolous, Teyana Taylor, DJ Khaled, Wale, The-Dream, French Montana, Future, Shaquille O'Neal, and Dame D.O.L.L.A.
| Too Good to Be True | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 10, 2023 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 59:45 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
| |||
| Rick Ross chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Meek Mill chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Too Good to Be True | ||||
| ||||
Background and promotion edit
In an interview with Rap Life Radio host Ebro Darden, Ross said that the album was done in about six weeks.[5] The release was first led by the single "Shaq & Kobe" on September 29, 2023, which was accompanied by a music video directed by Kid Art and published the same day.[6] It received positive comments from Diddy saying:
That’s when I heard you came and played me the joints, and then when I saw the video, I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about!’ Even Meek, I was like, ‘Yeah, that n-gga’s bucket [hat] hittin’ just right.’ I’m like, ‘This is refreshing.’ You know what I’m saying?[4]
On October 20, 2023, the pair released "Lyrical Eazy",[7] which samples Jay Z's The Blueprint song "Breathe Easy (Lyrical Exercise)"; it was accompanied by a music video starring the two speeding in sports cars through New York City before flying in a helicopter.[8] On October 26, a remix to "Shaq & Kobe" featuring Dame D.O.L.L.A. and the titular Shaquille O'Neal was released.[9]
On November 6, a promotional sweepstake was announced, in which participants must fill in seven "lucky numbers" before pre-saving the album and filling out an online form, with a total cash prize of $50,000 up for grabs. It is scheduled to run for 10 days, after which a winner will be announced on Instagram.[10] The album's track listing was announced on November 8, 2023.[11]
Reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| HipHopDX | 2.6/5 |
Too Good to Be True received generally mixed reviews from critics. Wesley McClean rated the album a 2.6/5, saying: "Rick Ross lacks gravitas, feeling checked out throughout most of the tracklist. A rapper known for his impeccable ear for beats and consistent output, he delivers his laziest and most elementary rhymes to date, pairing them with some of the least interesting instrumentals of his career."[12]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Shaq & Kobe" |
|
| 3:39 |
| 2. | "Star Island" |
| ATL Jacob | 2:17 |
| 3. | "Go to Hell" (with Cool & Dre featuring Beam) |
|
| 3:39 |
| 4. | "800 Karats" |
| ATL Jacob | 2:04 |
| 5. | "Dead Last" (featuring Vory and Fabolous) |
| 4:16 | |
| 6. | "They Don't Really Love You" |
|
| 4:38 |
| 7. | "Million Dollar Trap" |
| ATL Jacob | 2:23 |
| 8. | "Grandiose" (featuring Vory) |
|
| 2:54 |
| 9. | "Above the Law" (featuring Teyana Taylor and DJ Khaled) |
| DJ Khaled | 3:32 |
| 10. | "Fine Lines" (performed by Rick Ross featuring Wale and The-Dream) |
| 4:58 | |
| 11. | "Gold Medals" (featuring Jeremih) |
| 4:32 | |
| 12. | "Iconic" |
| Mike Hurst | 3:44 |
| 13. | "Lyrical Eazy" |
|
| 1:40 |
| 14. | "Pillow Talk" |
|
| 2:42 |
| 15. | "Millionaire Row" (performed by Rick Ross featuring French Montana) |
|
| 2:46 |
| 16. | "In Luv with the Money" (performed by Rick Ross featuring Future) |
| Southside | 3:09 |
| 17. | "Shaq & Kobe" (remix; featuring Shaquille O'Neal and Dame D.O.L.L.A.) |
|
| 6:52 |
| Total length: | 59:45 | |||
Note
- ^[c] signifies a co-producer
Personnel edit
- Colin Leonard – mastering
- Eddie Hernández – mixing
- Javier Valverde – Atmos mix engineering
- Amani Hernández – mixing assistance
- David Bermudez – engineering (tracks 1, 2, 4–17)
- Anthony Cruz – engineering (tracks 1, 5, 7)
- Thomas Bennett – engineering (tracks 3, 12)
- Brandon Harding – engineering (track 10)
- Kev Spencer – engineering (track 10)
- Nathan Alford – mixing, engineering (track 17)
Charts edit
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Albums (Billboard)[13] | 71 |
| UK Album Downloads (OCC)[14] | 24 |
| UK R&B Albums (OCC)[15] | 29 |
| US Billboard 200[16] | 23 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard)[17] | 3 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[18] | 7 |
References edit
- ^ Grant, Shawn (September 29, 2023). "Rick Ross and Meek Mill Announce Joint Album Too Good to Be True - The Source". Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ "Meek Mill and Rick Ross' Too Good to Be True Has a Release Date". UPROXX. October 19, 2023. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ "New Music Releases and Upcoming Albums in 2023 and 2024". Pitchfork. July 26, 2023. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ a b "Rick Ross & Meek Mill Announce Release Date for Joint Album Too Good to Be True". HipHopDX. October 18, 2023. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY), Yohance (September 29, 2023). "Rick Ross & Meek Mill to Release Too Good to Be True Joint Project". AllHipHop. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ "Rick Ross and Meek Mill Reconnect for New Song "Shaq & Kobe"". Pitchfork. September 29, 2023. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (October 20, 2023). "Rick Ross and Meek Mill Drop "Lyrical Eazy" from Upcoming Joint Album". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ "Rick Ross and Meek Mill sample Jay-Z on "Lyrical Eazy"". The FADER. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ Duong, Paul (October 27, 2023). "Shaquille O'Neal, Dame D.O.L.L.A. "Shaq & Kobe (Remix)" - Rap Radar". Rap Radar. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ Singh, Karam (November 6, 2023). "Rick Ross & Meek Mill Fans Given Chance to Win $50K In Too Good to Be True Sweepstakes". HipHopDX. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ Gonzalez, Alex (November 8, 2023). "Meek Mill & Rick Ross' Too Good To Be True Tracklist Has Arrived". UPROXX. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ McClean, Wesley (November 16, 2023). "RICK ROSS & MEEK MILL CAN'T RECREATE MMG MAGIC ON 'TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE'". HipHopDX. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ "Rick Ross Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
- ^ "Rick Ross Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ "Rick Ross Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ "Rick Ross Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2023.