Rick Ross to release “Deeper Than Rap”

Still hustlin’ and ready to blow, Def Jam recording artist Rick Ross is prepping the launch of his new Maybach Music label on April 21st with “Deeper Than Rap.” The Miami rapper’s third album – with guest shots by Kanye West and Lil’ Wayne, Nas and John Legend – follows-up Port Of Miami (his 2006 debut) and Trilla (2008), both of which entered the Soundscan chart at #1 with nearly 200,000 first week sales each, both certified RIAA gold.

In advance of the “Deeper Than Rap” album release, the first single “Magnificent” featuring John Legend – described by NY Hip Hop Music Examiner as “the calm before the storm” – impacted this week at Urban radio formats. It has already picked up 600+ spins and nearly 6 million audience. “Magnificent” was produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, who won 2007’s Best R&B Album Grammy for Mary J. Blige’s The Breakthrough (named Billboard’s 2007 R&B/Hip-Hop Album Of the Year). J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League helmed four songs on Trilla, and three more tracks on DEEPER THAN RAP including the highly anticipated“Maybach Music Part 2” featuring Kanye West and Lil’ Wayne.

“Maybach Music Part 2” is an attention-grabbing sequel to Trilla’s “Maybach Music” (which featured Jay-Z). “I would never disrespect that record and those rhymes,” Rick told MTV News last week, discussing the “timeless” track from last year, “just to say I topped it… and it is special.”

The B-side of “Magnificent” is “Mafia Music,” produced by the Inkredibles for Nasty Beatmakers, and the opening track on “Deeper Than Rap.” Bound to be another focal point, Rick revealed to NY Hip Hop Music Examiner that “Mafia Music” is “gonna cause a lot of problems… It’s a scathing four-and-half-minute nonstop flow, me being autobiographical about my life and my come-up and my triumph.” The Inkredibles also produced “Usual Suspects” featuring fellow Def Jam artist Nas.