On the heels of the VERZUZ TV celebration of his illustrious 15-year career in the game, Rick Ross delivers a soul stirring new record, “Pinned to the Cross,” which he debuted directly following last night’s Verzuz battle with 2 Chainz.
The song features supporting vocals from 20-year-old singer Finn Matthews and production from Fuse of 808 Mafia, as well as AraabMuzik. It brings Ross’ time-tested lyrical ability and insightfulness to the forefront, perhaps when his fans need it from him the most.
Get “Pinned to the Cross” HERE [via MMG/Epic Records]
It quickly becomes apparent that Ross has spent much of his quarantine reflecting on the seismic changes society has undergone over the last few months. “We was pinned to the cross since our birth under the sun,” he raps wistfully, lamenting over the Black experience in America, which the Miami rep finds to be exhausting—regardless of one’s tax bracket.
(Photo Credit: Bob Metelus)
It’s a style that has become a signature one for the multi-platinum artist, who has built a career and has been victorious in high-profile scuffles on the back of his serene-yet-sharp delivery. A manner which appears often on his most recent LP, 2019’s Port of Miami 2, the sequel to his critically-acclaimed 2006 debut Port of Miami. Longevity has always been important to Ross, and POM2 marked the seventh of his 10 studio albums to debut in the top two on the Billboard 200 albums chart, including five no. 1 debuts. To boot, his latest single with Drake, “Gold Roses,” earned a RIAA Gold certification and was Grammy Nominated.
In this era of uncertainty, a leader with a powerful and consistent voice is needed. In “Pinned to the Cross” Rick Ross reminds us, he is here to stay.