Trilla is the second studio album by American rapper Rick Ross. It was released on March 11, 2008, by Poe Boy Entertainment, Slip-n-Slide Records and Def Jam Recordings. It features guest appearances from R. Kelly, T-Pain, Trey Songz, Young Jeezy, Trick Daddy, Nelly, Brisco, Triple C's, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Avery Storm. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 198,000 copies in the first week.[1] The album was a certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). To date, the album has sold over 700,000 copies in the United States.
| Trilla | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 11, 2008 | |||
| Recorded | 2007–08 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 55:45 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
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| Rick Ross chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Trilla | ||||
Background
editOn August 17, 2007, Rick Ross announced that the album would be released on November 11, 2007.[2] However, he later announced that the album would be released on December 18, 2007, until it was pushed back to February 19, 2008.[3] In November 2007, in an interview with HipHopDX, Rick Ross spoke about who would be featured on the album, saying: "Most definitely. I wanted to step everything up. That’s why I reached out to R. Kelly for the first single. I got Marsha from Floetry to come in and help get the females on my team. She did a lot of work with Michael Jackson. When I was working with her, I thought about that. We laughed, we chopped it up, we just had fun. We put together some real big records. This album is going to be much better than Port of Miami and possibly the best album of the year."[4]
In March 2008, in an interview with AllHipHop, he spoke about where the album title came from, saying: "Trill is a term we been using down south. I'm sure you heard Bun B use it. Pimp C been saying that since forever. You know in the Texas/Florida panhandle, that's what we say. And I just put my twist and my spin on it. I kind of took a little from Michael Jackson's Thriller album and put that on mines and that's how we came up with Trilla. Shout out to Bun B. That's my uncle in the game."[5]
Singles
editOn October 16, 2007, the album's lead single, "Speedin'" featuring R. Kelly, was released.[6] On December 14, 2007, the music video was released for "Speedin'" featuring R. Kelly.[7] On February 14, 2008, the album's second single, "The Boss" featuring T-Pain, was released.[8] On February 21, 2008, the music video was released for "The Boss" featuring T-Pain.[9] On March 25, 2008, the album's third single, "Here I Am" featuring Nelly and Avery Storm, was released.[10] On May 23, 2008, the music video was released for "Here I Am" featuring Nelly and Avery Storm.[11]
Critical reception
edit| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 60/100[12] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [13] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+[14] |
| HipHopDX |  [15] |
| IGN | 6.2/10[16] |
| Pitchfork | 2.4/10[17] |
| PopMatters |   [18] |
| RapReviews | 8/10[19] |
| Rolling Stone | [20] |
| Slant Magazine | [21] |
| USA Today | [22] |
Trilla was met with generally mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received an average score of 60, which indicates "mixed or average reviews ", based on 12 reviews.[12] David Jeffries of AllMusic said, "The huge guest list is also a plus since Ross would have a hard time carrying this album on his own, but when surrounded by talent he pushes a little harder and comes up with a handful of rhymes that aren't tired or clichéd."[13] Simon Vozick-Levinson of Entertainment Weekly stated, "Miami's Rick Ross generally gets by on his blustery baritone rather than on lyrical wizardry. Nothing wrong with that: As his second full-length reminds us, his imposing voice sounds pretty good over big-budget synths and even better over buttery soul strings and horns."[14] Alexander J. Azizi of HipHopDX said, "Blending a somewhat diverse mix of hot producers who are all at the top of their game, and well chosen quality guest appearances is evidently a mold of success for The Boss. Top that off with a flow that seems to improve continuously and you've got Trilla. Although the album has its downsides with some unremarkable songs, the quality of the album musically and lyrically definitely makes up for it. If you dug Port Of Miami you will for sure be pleased with this album and the progress that Rick Ross has made."[15]
Todd Gilchrist of IGN stated, "Overall, Trilla is not an album destined for longevity or critical acclaim, but there's no doubt that at least a few hits will be mined from its tracks, and Ross' star will continue to rise among the ranks of radio-ready gangsta rappers."[16] Jordan Sargent of PopMatters said, "It's all very calculated, and some would say empty, but albums that are good because the rappers do just enough not to ruin a great collection of beats and guests verses is not a foreign concept to us. Why Trilla especially is catching so much shit for it, I'm not sure. I mean, we all heard American Gangster, right?"[18] Wilson McBee of Slant Magazine stated, "If Ross spouts myriad clunkers, his cadence is at least smooth and his voice cushiony, and so if it's possible to ignore the rapper and focus on the production, Trilla becomes an enjoyable listen."[21] Evan McGarvey of Pitchfork said, "Trilla, Rick Ross's inexplicable second album, is every bit a fatty contemporary American disaster."[17] Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews stated, "I suspect as Ross continues to evolve as a lyricist there will be even more of a message in his music, but in the meantime the production and guest stars on Trilla make for an effective album that shows Ross has yet to tap into his full potential."[19]
Commercial performance
editTrilla debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 198,000 copies.[23] In its second week, the album dropped to number three on the chart, selling 90,000 copies.[24] In its third week, the album dropped to number six on the chart, selling 51,000 copies that week.[25] On May 8, 2008, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 copies in the United States.[26]
Track listing
editCredits adapted from the album's liner notes.[27]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Trilla Intro" | J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League | 2:54 | |
| 2. | "All I Have In This World (Japanese Denim)" (featuring Mannie Fresh) |
| Mannie Fresh | 4:02 |
| 3. | "The Boss" (featuring T-Pain) |
| J.R. Rotem | 3:45 |
| 4. | "Speedin'" (featuring R. Kelly) | The Runners | 3:24 | |
| 5. | "We Shinin'" |
| Bink! | 3:56 |
| 6. | "Money Make Me Come" (featuring EbonyLove) |
| Drumma Boy | 3:31 |
| 7. | "DJ Khaled Interlude" (featuring DJ Khaled) | Roberts | DJ Khaled | 1:28 |
| 8. | "This Is the Life" (featuring Trey Songz) |
| Blac Elvis | 4:25 |
| 9. | "This Me" |
| DJ Toomp | 3:47 |
| 10. | "Here I Am" (featuring Nelly & Avery Storm) |
| Drumma Boy | 3:29 |
| 11. | "Maybach Music" (featuring Jay-Z) |
| J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League | 4:08 |
| 12. | "Billionaire" |
| J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League | 4:12 |
| 13. | "Luxury Tax" (featuring Trick Daddy, Young Jeezy & Lil Wayne) |
| J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League | 4:43 |
| 14. | "Reppin' My City" (featuring Triple C's & Brisco) |
| J Rock | 4:17 |
| 15. | "I'm Only Human" (featuring Rodney) |
| DJ Nasty & LVM | 3:37 |
| Total length: | 55:45 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16. | "Ridin' Thru the Ghetto" |
| Los Vegaz | 5:03 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16. | "Street Money" (featuring Flo Rida) |
|
| 4:11 |
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
|
Year-end chartsedit
|
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[35] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Rick Ross Debuts First On Soundscan With Trilla". Hip Hop Galaxy. March 17, 2008. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
- ^ Wolfe, Roman (August 17, 2007). "Rick Ross Announces Release Date For 'Trilla'; Slip-N-Slide Expanding Into Rock". AllHipHop. AHH Holdings, LLC. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ Crosley, Hillary (November 27, 2007). "New Rick Ross Album Bumped To February". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ Paine, Jake (November 19, 2007). "Rick Ross: Who's The Boss?". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ Hines, Haaron (March 10, 2008). "Rick Ross: The AllHipHop Interview, Pt. 1". AllHipHop. AHH Holdings, LLC. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ "iTunes – Music – Speedin' (feat. R. Kelly) – EP by Rick Ross". iTunes. Apple. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ "Rick Ross – Speedin'". Dailymotion. December 14, 2007. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ "The Boss (Album Version (Explicit) [feat. T-Pain] [Explicit]". Amazon. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
- ^ "Rick Ross – The Boss ft. T-Pain". BET. April 21, 2011. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ "Here I Am (Album Version (Explicit) [feat. Avery Storm] [Explicit]". Amazon. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
- ^ "Rick Ross – Here I Am ft. Nelly, Avery Storm". YouTube. December 11, 2009. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ a b "Reviews for Trilla by Rick Ross". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ a b Jeffries, David. "Trilla – Rick Ross". AllMusic. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ a b Vozick-Levinson, Simon (March 7, 2008). "Trilla". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ a b Azi, Alexander J. (March 14, 2008). "Rick Ross – Trilla". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ a b Gilchrist, Todd (March 19, 2008). "Rick Ross – Trilla". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ a b McGarvey, Evan (March 28, 2008). "Rick Ross: Trilla". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
- ^ a b Sargent, Jordan (May 29, 2008). "Rick Ross: Trilla". PopMatters. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ a b Juon, Steve 'Flash' (March 18, 2008). "Rick Ross :: Trilla :: Poe Boy/Slip-N-Slide/Def Jam". RapReviews. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ Rosen, Jody (March 20, 2008). "Rick Ross : Trilla : Review". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on March 8, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ a b McBee, Wilson (March 19, 2008). "Rick Ross: Trilla – Album Review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ Jones, Steve (March 10, 2008). "This week's reviews: Snoop is 'Ego Trippin,' Randy Jackson joins 'Club'". USA Today. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on March 14, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ "Rick Ross Scores Fourth No. 1 Album With 'God Forgives, I Don't'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ "Danity Kane Snags Second Straight No. 1 Album". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ "Day26 Upends Danity Kane To Debut At No. 1". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ Trilla (booklet). Slip-n-Slide, Def Jam, Poe Boy. 2008.
- ^ "Rick Ross Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ^ "Rick Ross Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ^ "Rick Ross Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ^ "Rick Ross Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- ^ "Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- ^ "2008 Year-End Charts: Rap Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on July 5, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
- ^ "American album certifications – Ross, Rick – Trilla". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 16, 2015.