On the opening track of Teflon Don, Rick Ross declared: “I’m not a star!” Within a year’s time, he amended said phrase on the “John” record with Lil Wayne: “I’m not a star… somebody lied!” He called himself a liar and cited himself as a source. In 2010, with hip-hop’s excessive exuberance approaching critical mass, Rick Ross delivered his seminal Teflon Don by condensing his mafioso ways into a succinct 11-piece lemon pepper album. (Let’s say the 11th piece fell into the box.) 

The drama’s imminent, the guns are drawn, and the Maybachs remain mispronounced. Many men could do maximalism, but only Rick Ross could put “MC Hammer” and “BMF (Blowin’ Money Fast)” back-to-back. The 808s snarl as the Bawse does, the strings lend their regality to all his fantasies co...