MMG Presents: Self Made, Vol. 1

Bjarne Liller | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 23, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros.
• ASIN: B004WJRJ7C
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,443 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Maybach Music Group (MMG) is a label imprint founded by best-selling hip-hop artist and entrepreneur Rick Ross. Maybach Music Group's roster currently includes rappers Wale, Meek Mill & Pill who have all become part of the Warner Bros. Records roster. On May 23rd, 2011 Maybach Music Group will release the compilation album Self Made which features all of its artists as well as guest appearances from others.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Self Made....You Just Affiliated May 23, 2011

By Enlightened

Format:Audio CD

Rick Ross' steady rise in hip hop to (arguably) the best rapper in the game has been interesting to witness. After his Teflon Don album last summer he quickly rose through the ranks and became the most sought after rapper since Lil Wayne was in his prime and for good reason too. Every remix, every song he was featured on he would murder. Luckily, he had his own imprint Maybach Music Group to bring along for the ride. With the signing of Wale, Meek Mill, Pill & Teedra Moses (along with Audra Tha Rapper & Stalley) in the course of a few months he had dramatically improved the talent on the roster.

That's not to say that Triple C's were wack though it's just that MMG needed an injection of new energy. With all the excitement over the new additions, Rick Ross decided to drop a compilation to celebrate and named the new signees Self Made.

*I'm assuming that Self Made is a group of Pill, Wale, Meek Mill & Rick Ross much like Triple C's is Young Breed, Torch & GunPlay.*

The album is well put together and is one of the best label showcases in quite a while (as opposed to the Young Money, Grand Hustle & Shady Records compilations of the past few years). One reason for that is that each member is a fully capable solo artist so it's never a case of IF they will go hard...it's who will go the hardest. Sometimes it's Wale....other times its Meek Mill....other times its Pill. They also sound highly inspired and extremely hungry.

Another trait of the group is how well their styles mesh with each other. Teedra Moses has been underrated since her classic Complex Simplicity in 2004 and it's absolutely great that she now will have the platform she deserves. Plus her "hood" R&B style is a perfect match. Pill, probably the least celebrated of the crew, is an amazing rapper and is the only one really capable of consistently spitting introspectively. Meek Mill is a relentless terror on the mic and Wale is the poet with a lot of wordplay and versatility.
This compilation was also done the best way in that every member doesn't have to be on every song but only on the songs where it makes sense. This strategic placing allows each rapper to showcase their talent. This way people can identify with Pill on Don't Let Me Go and they can focus on Meek Mill on I'm A Boss.

The production, needless to say, is of the highest quality. This is something we've come to expect with anything affiliated with Rick Ross. Some people complain of the production style but I just see it as a necessary transition from all the soft beats we heard all over the place for the past 5 years. This is aggressive and energetic music. The only minor gripe I have is that Teedra Moses doesn't have a solo song here; but then again that may have compromised the direction of the project. Torch & GunPlay make appearances but Young Breed is absent. This is puzzling because he would have been right at home on Pill's Pacman. Stalley gets some shine on Running Rebels. Outside appearances include Jadakiss. J.Cole, Cyhi Da Prynce, Curren$y, French Montana & Chester French.

Nonetheless, Rick Ross has done it again. If you were a fan of any of the songs they released such as 600 Benz or Tupac Back then this cd is a no brainer. This album will no doubt be the soundtrack to the summer. 5 Stars.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Album August 21, 2011

By BigG

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this CD. It's been a long time since I had a CD where all but maybe 2 songs didn't have my head rocking. Usually it's only 2 on a CD I like. So go get it it's a great CD. You will enjoy if you like Hip Hop and Rap!!!!!!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Pacman Over 100 Sold, PACMAN JUST ORDERED 100 MORE!!! (Rating: 7 out of 10- -3.5 stars) August 12, 2011

By Chandler VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Usually when an artist reaches a sucessful point in their career, they take time out to put together a group, while at the same time put some new people out. Rick Ross is at that point with great record sales and high publicity, why not put out a group album? (despite the Triple C's album a few years ago). Given that Ross isn't the best person when it comes to the lyrics, but what I like about him his how he keeps his music interesting. Over the years I had to let him grow on me, and is now at the point where I can listen to him in moderate doses as long as he puts out hot songs like "Maybach Music 2", and "Luxury Tax". Maybe it's because the songs I named has more than one guest appearance on, which makes me think that I prefer listening to Ross when he's not on a solo song. With that being said, Ross recruited three other rappers, Pill, Meek Mill, and Wale (and a background singer Teedra Moses) to his new group Maybach Music Group (MMG). The very first thing I noticed looking on the back cover is this is more of a compilation album rather than a group album. Seeing the songs that has one artist featuring another artist within the group has me thinking that these are a bunch of individual tracks that were put together and showcased a group album. Not necessarily a bad thing but it just seems kind of strange when you see something like Meek Mill featuring Rick Ross, instead of featuring an outside artist.

On to the music, the majority of is real nice. I believe Wale is the best out of everyone in the group with Meek Mill coming in a distant second. Wale shines on most tracks, mainly with "Rise" and "Runnin Rebels". Meek Mill does his job on the upbeat "Ima Boss". Rick Ross seems to follow the same formula with metamorphical hooks like he did with "BMF" and "MC Hammer" from his last album Teflon Don, and you will realize it with songs like "Tupac Back" and "By Any Means". While they are creative in a way, they are starting to become predictable. Luckily he plays the background doing mostly hooks, with a few verses here and there. As for Pill, while hes bad but isn't too rememerable here.

Few guest appearances here add help to the group. The aforementioned "Rise" features Curren$y and Cyhi Da Prince which makes it a standout, while J. Cole comes with a hot verese for "Fitted Cap". Everybody else is like whatever, and doesn't add much to the album.

The overall product is pretty good here. While it's not a waste, there are a few dissapointments, as this album doesn't break like you would expect it to. This should open the door for MMG's artists to come out with more related material (especially Wale). Rick Ross' fans will enjoy this while others will find some significance with this release and thought that it could have been executed much better. Hopefully MMG Vol. 2 will be an improvement. Peace.

PS- Theres a song called "Perfection" with Rick Ross and Meek Mill that should have been on here. Download that song.

Note: MMG's newest member Stalley appears uncredited for the 3rd verse for the song "Runnin Rebels".

Lyrics: B
Production: B+
Guest Appearances: B
Musical Vibes: B-

Top 5 Tracks:
1. Rise (featuring Cyhi Da Prince and Curren$y)
2. Runnin Rebels
3. I'ma Boss
4. Fitted Cap (featuring J. Cole)
5. Play Your Part (featuring Chester French)