Three volumes in and
Rick Ross' Maybach Music Presents series
Self Made officially becomes an annual concern with this 2013 edition featuring one of the biggest label roster lineups to date, including
Ross,
Meek Mill,
Wale,
Omarion, and secret weapon
Stalley. That last name shines on the key cut "Coupes & Roses," which sinks into the couch with '70s R&B and plush production from
Kebu and Childish Major, but the rest of the bangers are unsurprisingly superstar, including the uplifting "Black Grammys" from
Wale,
Mill,
Rockie Fresh, and special guest
J. Cole, which also offers up the new catch phrase, "I did it for the family, I'm gonna take my momma to the Grammys." Don recognize Boss when
Birdman joins
Ross for the massive "Stack on My Belt," while key cut "Gallardo" gets credited to
Gunplay even if it’s the Maybach boss who steals the show. With the lights getting low on
Omarion's "Say Don't Go," and things getting poignant on "The Great Americans," this is the
Self Made where the slow and restrained moments offer rich rewards, but it's still a label sampler at heart, so a pre-love of platinum gangsta music and that slick Maybach sound are still advised. ~ David Jeffries