purple

My favorite rap verse of the year:

Verse starts at 4:03


There's no accounting for the power of Rick Ross' delivery on "Devil in a New Dress." I've done my best to highlight parts that sound particularly stunning and to add context, but most rap lyrics fall victim to transcription. The chromatic nature of vocal timbre and articulation and emphasis is flattened in black and white text. Ross is particularly vulnerable to transcription because, even for a rapper, his lyrics are uniquely personality-driven. Each of his releases has sounded better than the last because he has refined his cocaine mogul personality and listeners have habituated to his lies.

The lyrics:
Looking at my bitch, bet she give your ass a bone.
Looking at my wrist, it'll turn your ass to stone.
Stretch limousine, sipping Rosé all alone
Double-headed monster with a mind of his own
Cherry red chariot, excess is just my character.
All black tux, nigga shoes lavender.
I never needed acceptance from all you outsiders
Had ciphers with Yeezy before him mouth wired. (HRUH)
Before his jaw shattered, climbing up the Lord's ladder
We still speeding running signs like they don't matter.
Uh, hater talking never made me mad,
Never that now when I'm in my favorite paper tag.
Therefore G4's at the clearport.
When it come to tools fool I'm a Pep Boy.
When it came to dope I was quick to export,
Never tired of balling so it's on to the next sport.
New Mercedes sedan. The Lex sport.

So many cars DMV thought it was mail fraud.

Different traps I was getting mail from.
Polk County, Jacksonville, rep Melbourne.
Whole clique appetites had tapeworms
Spinning Teddy Pendergrass vinyl as my J burns.
I shed a tear before the night's over.
God bless the man I put this ice over. (HRAH)

Getting 2pac money, twice over

Still a real nigga red Coogi sweater, dice roller,

I'm making love to the angel of death,
Catching feelings, never stumble retracing my steps....(hrah.....hruh)

- Rick Ross, "Devil in a New Dress" from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy