Maybach Music Group’s “Self Made 3” was scheduled to be released September 17, however due to some determined online fanatics being able to leak the album, I and other appreciative people are now in possession of Maybach Music’s latest team project. From the trap to the Rap, “Self Made 3” brings the suffering of growing up in the hood and the relief of finally being free back to the surface of Rap.

As expected, the album starts with showing respect to the fallen but still adored Lil Snupe, who was taken away too early from everyone who loved the young Louisiana prodigy.

Besides one mind blowing appearance on the album from Lil Boosie, Self Made 3 seems to be an opening door for all of Maybach Music Group’s upcoming artists.

Although Lil Boosie is still incarcerated, his bars from “Eightball” & “MJG” classic 909 “Lay It Down” were able to run away to freedom and reach the remade version featuring Young Breed and Rick Ross.

J.Cole, Trina, Yo Gotti, Birdman, Pusha-T, Fabolous, French Montana, Lupe Fiasco all of whom are not signed to the MMG label dropped in throughout the album. Of course the the main MMG team: Wale, Meek Mill, Stalley & Omarion maintained a presence throughout the album. Throwing in this amount of up and coming artist could be a dilemma. Due to the lack of chemistry, is the quality of music sacrificed in exchange for diversity?

Executive Producer and self named mastermind, Rick Ross makes an attempt, throughout the album to appeal to all forms of rap; raw, inspiring, calming and of course last but not least sex. Self Made 3’s risky roster of diverse artists comes together to either make or break the album. Tracks like “Gallardo”, “The Plug”, “Levels”, “Lay It Down”, “Stack on my Belt”, “What Ya Used To”, “Kilo”, and “Bout That Life” all show the hard upbringing of being someone coming up in rough neighborhoods. In these songs, we can hear about rappers who once found validation in the consumption of over priced material goods. The pendulum is swinging, with “Stack on My Belt” being 6 tracks away from (let alone on the same album as)  “Poor Decisions.” The listener is given the opportunity to see rappers both condoning and condemning this materialistic mindset.

“God is Great”, “The Great Americans”, and “Black Grammy“ show the complete appreciation in these rappers for how far they’ve made it, understanding that without the unconditional bond of support given by certain people in their lives they could not be where they are today. In total Self Made 3 proves just how good our guy Rick Ross is at not only exposing, but molding new artists for the publicized rap world. Not only making them Rap’s next hype, but Rap’s next stronghold, not be taken lightly as lyricists.

Rockie Fresh and Stalley are the examples of just that. With Rockie appearing throughout the album on “Black Grammys”, “What Ya Used To”, “The Great Americans”, “God is Great”, and just ONE appearance for Stalley on Coupes & Roses. We can still see the great promise of what’s to come for Rap.

Bringing a soulful touch to “Black Grammys,” Rockie starts his celeb journey. Returning, to bring an equally passionate lyrical performance on a 90’s instrumental imitation we see truly how diverse Rockie Fresh can become on “What Ya Used To.” Continuing his powerful run as the lyrical story teller, Stalley brings some of the same flows from his latest project, “Honest Cowboy,” to the album. His ability to tame, yet enforce his potent word choice continues to be displayed on the album and makes everyone wonder why Rick Ross would tease us with only one feature of this uplifting artist.

With the finishing touch of Meek Mills single “Levels” this album comes to be exactly what the streets demanded and Ross wished for – to show his ability to keep everyone’s tastes satisfied and to give new artists exposure