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God Forgives, I Don't is the fifth studio album by American hip hop artist Rick Ross. It was released through Def Jam Recordings (Universal Music Group) and his own label Maybach Music Group on July 31, 2012.

Background

While on his 2012 European Tour, Ross explained the reasoning for the album title, saying "I wanted to approach like Scorsese would have approached a film. I wanted it to be a bold statement, a dark statement and have music to tell the story behind it. It felt like a film." During his July promo tour, Ross elaborated, "I knew approaching this album, I wanted to approach titling it a lot different from previous albums. I wanted it to be strong and impactful. The first half is God Forgives: It's a lot of us need forgiveness. That's the beautiful side that alotta people need to focus on, even myself. I Don't represented the street aspect of life. I feel we have both sides that we deal with in life. I gave 'em one of those feelings that it was a motion picture, a masterpiece, five-star. That's the way I broke it down. They gon' hear the energy and see exactly what I'm talkin 'bout 'cause we gotta face both sides in life." Ross also confirmed Jay-Z as a featured artist.

After much anticipation and an initial pushback, Ross announced the release date of the album to be July 31, at an MMG Press Conference on May 2. He also announced that no previously released singles, or material from his Rich Forever mixtape would be on the album, saying the album would be "100% new". Ross stated that the album would be his most complete and best body of work yet. At the press conference, Ross spoke a bit on the album, saying: "God Forgives, I Don't is a very dark story. It's extremely lyrical, the music is next level. I'm expecting nothing but the biggest results. The collaborations will surprise you guys. This album is the missing part of my legacy. This is gonna put me over the top." Ross ended the press conference stating,

I will deliver.

On June 12, 2012, Ross re-released the official album artwork in a video promoting the album. On June 30, the official deluxe cover was released via Rap-Up. On July 3, the album was made available to pre-order.

In an interview with MTV News, Rozay previewed his new album. Ross spoke on the title, the cover, the recording process, the cinematic influence, and a few tracks. Ross stated that several photos were shot inside a church. He elaborated saying, "I remember sitting in the church just waiting for the photographer, and I remember sitting in there praying, just being thankful. I knew I wanted to have 10 Jesus pieces on. Of course, one Jesus piece was always fly, but I just wanted 10. I just wanted to go to that next level." Ross stated that he kept an extremely small circle during the entire recording process. "I keep my circle extremely small when it comes to me recording my music. I put the music together before I even put the words to the music, because I feel it's easier for me to write the words and make it fit the music versus me finding music that can fit my words." Ross has stated numerous times how he has compared this album to films, and has taken a cinematic approach during the entire development of the album. Ross expanded by saying "This may be Inglourious Basterds, man. We gonna peel your scalp back on this one. Quentin Tarantino, that's one of the vibes I was in when I titled the album. I wanted to approach it like a film." Ross also spoke on the concepts of a few tracks from the album. Ross said the track Amsterdam was based on the red light district, "I kinda flipped it where being a boss you gotta get approval for a green light. I'm one of those people you can't green light. As long I've been in this game, there's been a lot of talk, but ain't nobody stepped on these 11 and a half's. The reason being: This is the red light district, you can't move on this side." Rozay had spoken about the track Diced Pineapples as well, saying that "When I got out of the hospital — you know, I had a seizure last year — when I was leaving, the doctor told me, 'You gotta eat some more fruit, drink you some water, eat fruit and just relax for a little while.' My fruit of choice was pineapples. For the next three weeks, I woke up every morning and ate diced pineapples, and I put the concept together. Drizzy came in, as well as Wale, and it's kinda like, 'She could be my diced pineapple. This special lady, she could be what I wake up to every morning and help me get by every day." Rick Ross described the album in five words with: classic, untouchable, boss, success, and revenge. He stated, "If you doubted us being here three years ago, five years ago, you don't understand hip-hop, you don't understand the power of rap music."

In an interview with the Breakfast Club, Ross was asked about his collaboration with André 3000 for the song "Sixteen". He stated that he had spoken with André 3000 through Skype numerous times, while Andre had been filming overseas for the Jimi Hendrix biopic, "All Is By My Side", and the record was completed over Skype. Ross elaborated that he wanted to make a special track that had an "Outkast-ish vibe", and hinted at an upcoming video for the song. Ross also spoke to Vibe magazine about working with Dr. Dre saying, "I got to be in the studio with him and watch him turn those knobs which has been a dream of mine since Straight Out Of Compton and I just wanted to ask him. When I'm listening to those Chronic skits, that was the end of skits like The Chronic or a Snoop album."

Release and promotion

On December 24, 2010, Ross released the Ashes to Ashes mixtape, which included the song "9 Piece" featuring T.I. and produced by Lex Luger. Following T.I.'s legal trouble, Ross scrapped T.I. from the song and instead released the official remix, featuring Lil Wayne was released on April 4, 2011, which was used as the first street single for the album. "9 Piece" was released to iTunes on May 10, and debuted at number sixty-one on the Billboard Hot 100. Exactly six months later, on October 4, 2011, Rick Ross released the album's first two singles. The lead single was "You the Boss" featuring Nicki Minaj, and the second was titled "I Love My Bitches", which was produced by Just Blaze. Three days later on October 7, both tracks were released on iTunes for purchase. In early October, Ross published the first promotional picture of God Forgives, I Don't on his Tumblr page, which showed the release date to be December 13, 2011. On November 1, 2011, Rick Ross and Wale appeared on BET's 106 & Park to help promote Wale' new album, Ambition, which was released under Ross' Maybach Music imprint. Ross also promoted his own LP, God Forgives, I Don't. It was Ross' first television appearance since his reported seizures on October 14. Ross announced that he, and Jay-Z had completed a collaboration track for the album, which Rick called "the biggest record we've ever done together".

On November 16, 2011, Ross appeared on MTV's Rap Fix to promote Wale's Ambition album as well as to give details on his own album. Rick Ross said that the December 13 date was still tentative, but the album was likely to be pushed back to a 2012 release because of the health scare he suffered in October. Ross expanded by saying that because he was resting due to doctors orders, he was unable to work and had to postpone the groundwork of his album, which he felt was highly important. Consequently, Def Jam Records and Ross' own Maybach Music Group label had scaled back promotion of the album. Ross added that he felt he could make the December 13 date he had originally set, but felt it was in his best interest to push the album back to 2012 in order to create the best possible body of work. On January 6, 2012, Rick Ross released the mixtape Rich Forever to help promote the upcoming album. The tape contained all new material and features from the likes of Diddy, 2 Chainz, Wale, Meek Mill, John Legend, Nas, Drake and French Montana among others. Two standout tracks from the mixtape, "Triple Beam Dreams" featuring Nas and "Rich Forever" featuring John Legend would later be remastered and included as bonus tracks on the deluxe version of the album. On July 16, Ross along with Maybach Music Group, began the GFID Promo Tour, appearing on radio shows and doing interviews to promote the album.

Singles

On May 15, 2012, Rick Ross released the first single from the album, titled "Touch'N You" featuring Usher, which was released to iTunes on May 22, 2012. Rico Love, who produced and wrote the hook of the song, spoke with XXL Magazine to discuss the making of the record. He stated the track had been completed relatively quickly. Whilst Ross was recording new material for God Forgives, I Don't, American record producer and songwriter Rico Love played several productions to Spiff TV, the Artists and repertoire manager for Maybach Music Group, Ross' record label, with the intention of playing Ross a production that the late rapper The Notorious B.I.G. would have recorded were he still alive. On the advice of Spiff TV and fellow rapper Mase, who also listened to the productions, Love played the production that would eventually be used for "Touch'N You" to Ross, who decided upon hearing it that it would be used for God Forgives, I Don't's first single. The song was distributed to digital retailers by Def Jam Recordings on May 22, 2012. Rico described the record as "Basically the record is a ode to women. A sexy song, an 'I been thinking about you all day' type song. A man telling a woman how bad he wants to touch her, feel her, be intimate with her. Ross puts it in a way, even the street dudes who don’t feel comfortable expressing themselves, feel comfortable with that. It’s a club banger and a radio smash. I’m excited for Ross because I feel it has the potential to be a radio banger.

Less than a week later on May 21, 2012, Rick Ross gave Funkmaster Flex the green light to release the first street single, "So Sophisticated" featuring Meek Mill, which was also released to iTunes on June 5, 2012. The third single was released on July 2nd, 2012, titled "Hold Me Back", which was produced by G5. Ross spoke on the concept of Hold Me Back with MTV News, saying "That's the struggle, the angle I wanted to take on that record once again from somebody who may not have much, but that don't determine where you end up in the game. From struggle to triumph, as long as you stay loyal with your clique and your family, you can overcome whatever. That's how I feel." On July 19, 2012, Ross had Funkmaster Flex premiere one of the more anticipated tracks of the album, "3 Kings" featuring rap icons Dr. Dre and Jay-Z. In an interview with DJ Semtex, Ross stated that The D.O.C. had introduced him to Dr. Dre, who then flew to Miami to work with Ross. They had created several records, one of which was 3 Kings. Ross had already completed a track with Jay-Z for the album, but decided he wanted Jay-Z on a track with Dre to have three kings on one record, hence the title 3 Kings.

Reception

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Artistdirect
Consequence of Sound
Entertainment Weekly	(A-)
Los Angeles Times
The New York Times	(favorable)
Rolling Stone
Slant Magazine
USA Today

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 75, based on 15 reviews, which indicates "Generally favorable reviews".

Track listing

(*) Denotes co-producer

• Track listing and credits from album booklet.

Release history

References

1. ^ "Rick Ross | God Forgives I Don't Available 7/31/12". Godforgivesidont.com. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
2. ^ "Rick Ross Previews His New 'Masterpiece,' God Forgives, I Don't - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
3. "Rick Ross Talks Touring With Jay-Z, Upcoming 'God Forgives, I Don't' Album and More". Vibe. 2012-04-04. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
4. "(Video) Full MMG Press Conference". In Flex We Trust. 1999-02-22. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
5. "Rick Ross Says 'God Forgives' Is Dark, 'Next Level'". MTV News. MTV Networks. 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2012-07-08. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
6. "Rick Ross' God Forgives, I Don't Album Tracklist Revealed | XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2012-07-07. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
7. "Rick Ross Reveals "God Forgives, I Don't" Official Album Cover". YouTube. 2012-06-12. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
8. "Album Cover: Rick Ross – 'God Forgives, I Don't' [Deluxe Version]". Rap-Up.com. 2012-06-30. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
9. "Rick Ross Speaks on Why He Titled his Album "God Forgives, I Don't"". Sways Universe. 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
10. ^ "Rick Ross Gives An Early Look At God Forgives, I Don't". Rapfix.mtv.com. 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
11. http://www.vibe.com/article/rick-ross-opens-about-everything-mmg-revealing-interview
12. http://rapradar.com/2012/08/01/rick-ross-returns-to-the-breakfast-club/
13. http://www.vibe.com/article/rick-ross-opens-about-everything-mmg-revealing-interview
14. "New Music: Rick Ross f/ T.I. – '9 Piece'". Rap-Up.com. 2010-12-17. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
15. "New Music: Rick Ross f/ Lil Wayne – '9 Piece'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
16. "iTunes - Music - 9 Piece (feat. Lil Wayne) - Single by Rick Ross". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-05-10. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
17. "Def Jam Recordings". Defjamblr.com. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
18. "Def Jam Recordings". Defjamblr.com. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
19. "RICH FOREVER (#GFID Official album cover ….In Stores 12.13.11)". Richforever.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
20. "Rick Ross Returns to Television, Blames Lack of Sleep for Seizures". Rap-Up.com. 2011-11-02. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
21. "(Video) Rick Ross Confirms Album Delay". In Flex We Trust. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
22. "Beginning #GFID promo tour this morning.stay tuned.this one will be different. : rickyrozay". Inagist.com. 2012-07-16. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
23. "Rick Ross, 'Touch'N You': Rapper Teams With Usher, Does One for the Ladies". The Boombox. 2012-05-15. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
24. "iTunes - Music - Touch'N You (feat. Usher) - Single by Rick Ross". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-05-22. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
25. ^ Reid, Shaheem (May 14, 2012). "Rico Love Talks Rick Ross, Usher Collaboration "Touch N' You"". XXL. Harris Publications. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
26. "Touch'N You (feat. Usher) – Single by Rick Ross". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved July 24, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
27. "Rico Love Talks Rick Ross, Usher Collaboration "Touch N' You" | XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2012-05-16. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
28. "Rick Ross Interview". Dj Semtex. 2012-07-21. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
29. Cite error: The named reference Jeffries was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
30. http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/rick-ross-god-forgives-i-don-t-album-review-5-out-of-5-stars/10202492
31. review
32. Cite error: The named reference Anderson was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
33. Wood, Mikael (December 7, 2010). "No Boys Allowed". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
34. Cite error: The named reference Caramanica was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
35. Cite error: The named reference Weiner was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
36. Cataldo, Jesse. Review: Teflon Don. Slant Magazine. Retrieved on 2010-07-24.
37. Cite error: The named reference Jones was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
38. http://www.metacritic.com/music/god-forgives-i-dont/rick-ross
39. "God Forgives, I Don't". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
40. "God Forgives, I Don't (Deluxe edition)". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
41. God Forgives, I Don't (Media notes). Def Jam Recordings (Universal Music Group), Maybach Music Group (Warner Music Group). 2012. {{cite AV media notes}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |albumlink= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |artist= ignored (|others= suggested) (help)
42. "iTunes - Music - God Forgives, I Don't (Deluxe Edition) - Album by Rick Ross". iTunes Store. 2012-06-23. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
43. "iTunes - Music - God Forgives, I Don't (Deluxe Edition) - Album by Rick Ross". iTunes Store. 2012-06-23. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
44. "iTunes - Music - God Forgives, I Don't (Deluxe Edition) - Album by Rick Ross". iTunes Store. 2012-06-23. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
45. "iTunes - Music - God Forgives, obz ini I Don't (Deluxe Edition) - Album by Rick Ross". iTunes Store. 2012-06-23. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
46. "iTunes - Music - God Forgives, I Don't (Deluxe Edition) - Album by Rick Ross". iTunes Store. 2012-06-23. Retrieved 2012-07-09.

External links

• Official website

• Pages with empty short description
• 2012 albums
• Rick Ross albums
• English-language albums
• Def Jam Recordings albums
• Albums produced by T-Minus
• Albums produced by Jake One
• Albums produced by Rico Love
• Albums produced by Cool & Dre
• Albums produced by Pharrell Williams
• Albums produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League