View source for Mastermind (Rick Ross album)

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Mastermind
| type = studio
| artist = [[Rick Ross]]
| cover = Rick Ross Mastermind.jpg
| released = {{Start date|2014|03|03}}
| recorded = 2012–2014
| studio = {{flatlist|
* Big Ship (Kingston)
* Blueroom (Atlanta)
* [[The Hit Factory]]
* Swisher Suite (Miami)
* Muse (Los Angeles)
* No Name ([[Santa Barbara, California|Santa Barbara]])
* The Oven (New York City)
* Storch Music
* Studio at the Palms (Las Vegas)
}}
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| length = {{Duration|m=61|s=58}}
| label =
* [[Maybach Music Group|Maybach]]
* [[Slip-n-Slide Records|Slip-n-Slide]]
* [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]
| producer =
* [[Ben Billions]]
* [[Bink (record producer)|Bink]]
* Black Metaphor
* [[Boi-1da]]
* D. Rich
* [[DaHeala]]
* J. Manifest
* [[J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League]]
* [[Kanye West]]
* [[Mike Will Made It]]
* Omar Walker
* [[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]]
* Reefa
* [[Scott Storch]]
* Stats
* [[Stevie J]]
* Streetrunner
* [[Vinylz]]
* [[The Weeknd]]
| prev_title = [[God Forgives, I Don't]]
| prev_year = 2012
| next_title = [[Hood Billionaire]]
| next_year = 2014
| misc = {{Extra album cover
| header = Deluxe edition cover
| type = studio
| cover = Rick Ross Mastermind deluxe.jpg
| border = yes
}}{{Singles
| name        = Mastermind
| type        = studio
| single1     = [[The Devil Is a Lie]]
| single1date = December 19, 2013
| single2     = War Ready
| single2date = February 17, 2014
| single3     = [[Thug Cry]]
| single3date = March 13, 2014
}}}}
'''''Mastermind''''' is the sixth studio album by American rapper [[Rick Ross]]. It was released on March 3, 2014, by [[Maybach Music Group]], [[Slip-n-Slide Records]] and [[Def Jam Recordings]]. The album features [[guest appearance]]s from [[Jay-Z]], [[Jeezy]], [[The Weeknd]], [[Kanye West]], [[Big Sean]], [[Meek Mill]], [[Lil Wayne]], [[French Montana]], [[Sean Combs|Diddy]], [[Sizzla]], [[Mavado (singer)|Mavado]], [[Z-Ro]] and [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]]. The album was supported with the official singles "[[The Devil Is a Lie]]", "War Ready" and "[[Thug Cry]]", in addition to the promotional singles "Box Chevy", "[[No Games (song)|No Games]]" and "[[Nobody (Rick Ross song)|Nobody]]".
''Mastermind'' received generally positive reviews from critics. The album debuted at number one on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], with first-week sales of 179,000 copies in the United States. The album was nominated for Album of the Year at the [[2014 BET Hip Hop Awards]]. ''Mastermind'' is also the first of two albums Ross released in 2014, followed eight months later by ''[[Hood Billionaire]]''.
==Background==
In December 2012, it was reported that Ross had begun working on his sixth studio album.<ref>{{cite web |author=Greg Watkins |url=http://allhiphop.com/2012/12/12/rick-ross-renews-with-diddys-ciroc-vodka/ |title=Rick Ross Renews With Diddy's Ciroc Vodka |publisher=[[AllHipHop]] |date=December 12, 2012 |access-date=October 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014170957/http://allhiphop.com/2012/12/12/rick-ross-renews-with-diddys-ciroc-vodka/ |archive-date=October 14, 2013 }}</ref> On January 1, 2013, he announced he would release the title of his sixth studio album on January 7, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/rickyrozay/status/286186236459229185 |title=Twitter / rickyrozay: For everyone still celebrating |publisher=Twitter |access-date=October 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022010414/https://twitter.com/rickyrozay/status/286186236459229185 |archive-date=October 22, 2013 }}</ref> On January 7, 2013, in a promotional video he revealed the title of sixth album would be ''Mastermind''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Horowitz|first=Steven|title=Rick Ross Announces Title of Sixth Studio Album|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22454/title.rick-ross-announces-title-of-sixth-studio-album|access-date=January 7, 2013|newspaper=HipHopDX|date=January 7, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110023455/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22454/title.rick-ross-announces-title-of-sixth-studio-album|archive-date=January 10, 2013}}</ref> On June 10, 2013, during an interview with [[MTV News]], the rapper explained that ''Mastermind'' will have a soulful vibe, saying: "That's most definitely the feel and that's why I made sure I wanted to open at the top of the new year. I wanted to make that clear for the ones that paid attention that that's most definitely my vibe. I love making those kind of records, those 'Cigar Music' records, those 'Amsterdam' records, and that was most definitely the energy, but I record so much material — we gotta wait and see."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1708707/rick-ross-mastermind-sound-soulful.jhtml |title=Rick Ross Set To Give Mastermind A Soulful Vibe |publisher=MTV |date=June 10, 2013 |access-date=October 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014232926/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1708707/rick-ross-mastermind-sound-soulful.jhtml |archive-date=October 14, 2013 }}</ref>
In an October 10, 2013, interview with Civil TV, Ross spoke about the background of the album saying, "In the past year I done seen some things, I done been through some things, so you're going to feel that passion and that aggression. I think the streets are really going to love this." He also said he was putting "the finishing touches" on a song he wanted to get [[Bobby Womack]] featured on.<ref>{{cite web |last=Meara |first=Paul |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25779/title.rick-ross-says-fans-will-hear-passion-and-aggression-on-mastermind- |title=Rick Ross Says Fans Will Hear Passion And Aggression On "Mastermind" |work=HipHopDX |date=October 12, 2013 |access-date=January 17, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223163223/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25779/title.rick-ross-says-fans-will-hear-passion-and-aggression-on-mastermind- |archive-date=February 23, 2014 }}</ref> In an October 2013 interview with [[WQHT|Hot 97]], he explained the album title, saying: "It's all about coming from wherever you come from and take it wherever you want to go to. And the minute you do that that's when you can consider yourself a mastermind."<ref>{{cite web |last=Harling |first=Danielle |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25937/title.rick-ross-to-release-jay-z-assisted-single-off-mastermind- |title=Rick Ross 'The Devil Is A Lie' Featuring Jay Z Cover Art Updated |work=HipHopDX |date=December 19, 2013 |access-date=January 17, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029233249/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25937/title.rick-ross-to-release-jay-z-assisted-single-off-mastermind- |archive-date=October 29, 2013 }}</ref> In December 2013, during an interview on [[Sirius XM Satellite Radio|Hip-Hop Nation]], Ross spoke about why he decided to push the album back from its original December 17, 2013, release date, saying: "I'm still putting the final touches on the album. You know me, making that classic is more important than anything and making sure the streets are overwhelmed with what I am doing is what is most important. I'm gonna try to get it to you, and if I don't, I'ma get it to you ASAP."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/12/rick-ross-pushes-back-mastermind/ |title=Rick Ross Pushes Back 'Mastermind' |work=XXL |date=December 5, 2013 |access-date=January 17, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108152550/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/12/rick-ross-pushes-back-mastermind/ |archive-date=January 8, 2014 }}</ref>
==Recording and production==
[[File:ETalk2008-Diddy1.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Frequent collaborator [[Sean Combs|Diddy]] [[audio mixing|mixed]] ''Mastermind'' and was the album's executive producer.]]
On January 9, 2014, the album was [[audio mixing|mixed]] by [[Sean Combs|Diddy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/01/rick-ross-announces-diddy-mixing-mastermind/ |title=Diddy Is Mixing Rick Ross' Next Album |work=XXL |date=January 10, 2014 |access-date=January 17, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110224046/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/01/rick-ross-announces-diddy-mixing-mastermind/ |archive-date=January 10, 2014 }}</ref> Also in January 2014, [[Scott Storch]] confirmed that he provided production on the album.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harling |first=Danielle |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27048/title.scott-storch-says-he-dj-khaled-are-gonna-flood-the-market- |title=Scott Storch Says He & DJ Khaled Are "Gonna Flood The Market" |work=HipHopDX |date=January 14, 2014 |access-date=January 17, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116121839/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27048/title.scott-storch-says-he-dj-khaled-are-gonna-flood-the-market- |archive-date=January 16, 2014 }}</ref> The following month, [[Mike Will Made It]] revealed that he had produced a collaboration between Ross and [[Jeezy]] for the album.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/02/mike-will-made-it-rick-ross-jeezy |title=Mike Will Made It to Produce Rick Ross and Young Jeezy |work=Complex |date=February 3, 2014 |access-date=February 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630140254/http://www.complex.com/music/2014/02/mike-will-made-it-rick-ross-jeezy |archive-date=June 30, 2014 }}</ref> The album was executive produced by Ross and co-produced by Diddy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/02/diddy-named-co-executive-producer-rick-rosss-new-album/ |title=Diddy Named Co-Executive Producer of Rick Ross's New Album |work=XXL |date=January 8, 2014 |access-date=February 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223031159/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/02/diddy-named-co-executive-producer-rick-rosss-new-album/ |archive-date=February 23, 2014 }}</ref> On February 7, 2014, [[Mustard (record producer)|DJ Mustard]] revealed that he co-produced "[[Sanctified (song)|Sanctified]]" with [[Kanye West]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27428/title.kanye-west-dj-mustard-co-produce-sanctified-on-rick-ross-mastermind- |title=Kanye West & DJ Mustard Co-Produce "Sanctified" On Rick Ross' "Mastermind" |work=HipHopDX |date=February 8, 2014 |access-date=March 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306235928/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27428/title.kanye-west-dj-mustard-co-produce-sanctified-on-rick-ross-mastermind- |archive-date=March 6, 2014 }}</ref> Ross collaborated with various artists during the album's recording process. The final version of the album would feature [[Jay-Z]], Jeezy, [[The Weeknd]], [[Sizzla]], [[Mavado (singer)|Mavado]], Kanye West, [[Big Sean]], [[Meek Mill]], [[Lil Wayne]], [[French Montana]], Diddy, [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]] and [[Z-Ro]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/02/07/tracklisting-rick-ross-mastermind/ |title=Tracklisting: Rick Ross – 'Mastermind' |work=Rap-Up |access-date=February 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214072650/http://www.rap-up.com/2014/02/07/tracklisting-rick-ross-mastermind/ |archive-date=February 14, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/02/rick-ross-f-french-montana-nobody-prod-by-diddy |title=Rick Ross f/ French Montana "Nobody" (Prod. by Diddy) |work=Complex |date=February 19, 2014 |access-date=March 2, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312042444/http://www.complex.com/music/2014/02/rick-ross-f-french-montana-nobody-prod-by-diddy |archive-date=March 12, 2014 }}</ref>
In a March 2014, interview with Shaheem Reid, he spoke about how the album's executive producer Diddy was adamant about having the album sound like it was recorded all in the same day, saying: "That's the expertise that Puff bring to the table. The way he orchestrate the music. Myself I'm in the studio—For example, and I'll hear a record come on from a writer's perspective I'm listening to the rhymes, the tones, punch lines, and then the beat. And it's the total opposite when Puff in the studio. He listening to the snare, to the high hat, to the kick. All previous of my five albums whenever I mixed my album and went to master it I could master my album in three hours. With the process Puff put it through it took three days. Yeah, so it was like giving it a '90s feel…I was in the studio. I'm smoking. I'm drinking. And Puff just said 'This album, this album it's missing one thing. We gotta make it feel like it was recorded in the same booth, same day.'"<ref>{{cite web |last=Harling |first=Danielle |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27784/title.rick-ross-details-diddy-s-mastermind-contributions |title=Rick Ross Details Diddy's "Mastermind" Contributions |work=HipHopDX |date=March 6, 2014 |access-date=March 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312011551/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27784/title.rick-ross-details-diddy-s-mastermind-contributions |archive-date=March 12, 2014 }}</ref>
==Release and promotion==
On September 16, 2013, Ross announced the Mastermind Tour Dates, a mini-USA tour to promote ''Mastermind'' which ran from November 12, 2013 to November 23, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2013/09/16/rick-ross-sets-mastermind-tour-dates/ |title=Rick Ross Sets Mastermind Tour Dates |publisher=MTV News |date=September 16, 2013 |access-date=October 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012011346/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2013/09/16/rick-ross-sets-mastermind-tour-dates/ |archive-date=October 12, 2013 }}</ref> On October 9, 2013, Ross announced on his Twitter account that the album would be released on December 17, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2013/10/09/rick-ross-dropping-mastermind-before-2013-wraps/ |title=Rick Ross Dropping Mastermind Before 2013 Wraps |publisher=MTV News |access-date=October 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009230235/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2013/10/09/rick-ross-dropping-mastermind-before-2013-wraps/ |archive-date=October 9, 2013 }}</ref> Two days later, a trailer for the album was released. The trailer "chronicles Ross' journey starting in 1999 through a series of fast moving shots quickly covering his come up through the rap ranks." Footage of Jay-Z, Diddy, [[Birdman (rapper)|Birdman]], [[Black Mafia Family|Big Meech]], [[Pablo Escobar]] and [[Muhammad Ali]] are spliced into the video for effect.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/10/rick-ross-mastermind-album-trailer/ |title=Rick Ross 'Mastermind' Album Trailer |work=XXL |date=October 10, 2013 |access-date=January 17, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016023527/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/10/rick-ross-mastermind-album-trailer/ |archive-date=October 16, 2013 }}</ref> On January 14, 2014, [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]] announced that the album would be released on March 4, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25737/title.rick-ross-mastermind-has-a-new-release-date |title=Rick Ross "Mastermind" Has A New Release Date |work=HipHopDX |date=October 9, 2013 |access-date=January 17, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116132901/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25737/title.rick-ross-mastermind-has-a-new-release-date/ |archive-date=January 16, 2014 }}</ref> On January 24, 2014, the album's [[cover art]] was unveiled.<ref name="rap-up1">{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/01/24/rick-ross-reveals-mastermind-cover-readies-new-single-with-jeezy/ |title=Rick Ross Reveals 'Mastermind' Cover, Readies New Single with Jeezy |work=Rap-Up |date=January 24, 2014 |access-date=February 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202095045/http://www.rap-up.com/2014/01/24/rick-ross-reveals-mastermind-cover-readies-new-single-with-jeezy/ |archive-date=February 2, 2014 }}</ref> On April 3, 2014, the music video was released for "Rich Is Gangsta".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/04/03/video-rick-ross-rich-is-gangsta/ |title=Video: Rick Ross – 'Rich Is Gangsta' |work=Rap-Up |date=March 25, 2014 |access-date=April 5, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407084516/http://www.rap-up.com/2014/04/03/video-rick-ross-rich-is-gangsta/ |archive-date=April 7, 2014 }}</ref> On August 3, 2014, the music video was released for "Supreme".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/08/03/video-rick-ross-supreme/ |title=Video: Rick Ross – 'Supreme' |work=Rap-Up |date=March 25, 2014 |access-date=August 6, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806083756/http://www.rap-up.com/2014/08/03/video-rick-ross-supreme/ |archive-date=August 6, 2014 }}</ref> On August 4, 2014, the music video was released for "What a Shame" featuring French Montana.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/08/04/video-rick-ross-f-french-montana-what-a-shame/ |title=Video: Rick Ross f/ French Montana – 'What a Shame' |work=Rap-Up |date=March 25, 2014 |access-date=August 6, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808055245/http://www.rap-up.com/2014/08/04/video-rick-ross-f-french-montana-what-a-shame/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014 }}</ref> On August 27, 2014, the music video was released for "Drug Dealers Dream".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/08/27/video-rick-ross-drug-dealers-dream/|title=RapUp.com – Video: Rick Ross – 'Drug Dealers Dream'|work=Rap-Up|access-date=October 17, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021182726/http://www.rap-up.com/2014/08/27/video-rick-ross-drug-dealers-dream/|archive-date=October 21, 2014}}</ref>
==Singles==
[[File:Jay-Z 3.jpg|thumb|right|Rapper [[Jay-Z]] made a guest appearance on the album's [[lead single]] "[[The Devil Is a Lie]]".]]
The first promotional single, "Box Chevy", was released on February 15, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/01/new-music-rick-ross-box-chevy/ |title=New Music: Rick Ross – "Box Chevy" |work=Consequence of Sound |date=January 25, 2013 |access-date=August 6, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721020417/http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/01/new-music-rick-ross-box-chevy/ |archive-date=July 21, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/rick-ross-box-chevy/|title=Rick Ross – Box Chevy &#124; Listen & Download|date=January 27, 2013 |publisher=DJBooth|access-date=August 6, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014004222/http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/rick-ross-box-chevy/|archive-date=October 14, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/box-chevy-explicit-version/id603730029 |title=iTunes Music – Box Chevy – Single by Rick Ross |publisher=iTunes Store |date=February 15, 2013 |access-date=August 6, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024093333/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/box-chevy-explicit-version/id603730029 |archive-date=October 24, 2013 }}</ref> The music video was filmed on April 1, 2013, and features [[cameo appearance]]s from MMG members [[Gunplay (rapper)|Gunplay]], [[Stalley]] and [[Rockie Fresh]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/watch-behind-the-scenes-footage-of-rick-rosss-box-chevy-video-shoot |title=Watch Behind the Scenes Footage of Rick Ross' "Box Chevy" Video Shoot |work=Complex |date=April 1, 2013 |access-date=August 6, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106181104/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/watch-behind-the-scenes-footage-of-rick-rosss-box-chevy-video-shoot |archive-date=November 6, 2013 }}</ref> On May 2, 2013, the music video was released for "Box Chevy".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vibe.com/article/new-video-rick-ross-box-chevy |title=New Video: Rick Ross 'Box Chevy' |work=Vibe |date=May 2, 2013 |access-date=October 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930104614/http://www.vibe.com/article/new-video-rick-ross-box-chevy |archive-date=September 30, 2013 }}</ref> The song peaked at number six on the US [[Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles]].
The album's second promotional single, "[[No Games (song)|No Games]]" featuring [[Future (rapper)|Future]], was released on September 5, 2013. The song was produced by [[J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Gleckman |first=Alexander |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/09/rick-ross-ft-future-no-games |title=Listen: Rick Ross f/ Future "No Games" |work=Complex |date=September 5, 2013 |access-date=October 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106181107/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/09/rick-ross-ft-future-no-games |archive-date=November 6, 2013 }}</ref> The following day it was sent to [[urban contemporary]] radio as a single.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://frequencynews.com/musiclibrary_detail.cfm?LabelID=6&ArtistID=54&AlbumID=1067&SingleID=3703 |title=Frequency News |publisher=Frequency News |date=September 6, 2013 |access-date=October 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013182805/http://frequencynews.com/musiclibrary_detail.cfm?LabelID=6&ArtistID=54&AlbumID=1067&SingleID=3703 |archive-date=October 13, 2013 }}</ref> The music video for "No Games" was filmed on October 10, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |last=Homie |first=Big |url=http://rapradar.com/2013/10/11/behind-the-scenes-rick-ross-x-future-no-games/ |title=Behind The Scenes: Rick Ross x Future "No Games" |work=Rap Radar |date=October 11, 2013 |access-date=January 17, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015092510/http://rapradar.com/2013/10/11/behind-the-scenes-rick-ross-x-future-no-games/ |archive-date=October 15, 2013 }}</ref> The song has since peaked at number 19 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles. On November 3, 2013, the music video was released for "No Games" featuring Future.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/11/03/video-rick-ross-future-no-games/ |title=Video: Rick Ross f/ Future – 'No Games' |work=Rap-Up |access-date=January 17, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205094838/http://www.rap-up.com/2013/11/03/video-rick-ross-future-no-games/ |archive-date=December 5, 2013 }}</ref>
On October 23, 2013, Ross announced that the album's first official single, which will feature Jay-Z, will be released in early November 2013.<ref name="The Devil Is A Lie single announcement">{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/10/rick-ross-next-single-will-feature-jay-z/ |title=Rick Ross' Next Single Will Feature Jay Z |work=XXL |date=October 24, 2013 |access-date=January 17, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229093937/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/10/rick-ross-next-single-will-feature-jay-z/ |archive-date=December 29, 2013 }}</ref> The following day, Ross revealed that the song is titled "[[The Devil Is a Lie]]". He explained that song saying, "We're pushing the envelope once again and it's just one of those records I can't wait to hit the streets. We went in another direction but it's just one of those records that's gonna speak for itself and everybody's gonna have their opinion of it, but it's most definitely what the streets need."<ref name="The Devil Is A Lie single announcement"/> On December 19, 2013, "The Devil Is a Lie" featuring Jay-Z, was released for digital download.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/devil-is-lie-feat.-jay-z-single/id786836885 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224080201/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/devil-is-lie-feat.-jay-z-single/id786836885 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |title=iTunes Music – The Devil Is a Lie (feat. JAY Z) – Single by Rick Ross |publisher=iTunes Store |date=December 19, 2013 |access-date=January 17, 2014}}</ref> On March 20, 2014, the music video was released for "The Devil Is a Lie".<ref>{{cite web|title=Rick Ross Drops Fiery New Video For 'The Devil Is A Lie'|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/03/rick-ross-drops-fiery-new-video-for-devil-is-a-lie/|work=XXL|date=March 20, 2014 |access-date=March 20, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321064923/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/03/rick-ross-drops-fiery-new-video-for-devil-is-a-lie/|archive-date=March 21, 2014}}</ref>
On January 24, 2014, it was announced that the next single would be titled, "War Ready", and would feature Jeezy.<ref name="rap-up1"/> It was then released on February 17, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/War-Ready-feat-Jeezy-Explicit/dp/B00IGNXGUE |title=War Ready [feat. Jeezy&#93; [Explicit&#93;: Rick Ross: MP3 Downloads |website=Amazon |date=February 17, 2014 |access-date=March 2, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306230305/http://www.amazon.com/War-Ready-feat-Jeezy-Explicit/dp/B00IGNXGUE |archive-date=March 6, 2014 }}</ref> On February 27, 2014, the music video was released for the third [[promotional single]], "[[Nobody (Rick Ross song)|Nobody]]" featuring French Montana and Diddy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/02/27/video-rick-ross-f-french-montana-puff-daddy-nobody/ |title=Video: Rick Ross f/ French Montana & Puff Daddy – 'Nobody' |work=Rap-Up |access-date=March 2, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303222211/http://www.rap-up.com/2014/02/27/video-rick-ross-f-french-montana-puff-daddy-nobody/ |archive-date=March 3, 2014 }}</ref> On March 7, 2014, the music video was released for "War Ready" featuring Jeezy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/03/07/video-rick-ross-f-jeezy-war-ready/ |title=Video: Rick Ross f/ Jeezy – 'War Ready' |work=Rap-Up |access-date=March 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308031054/http://www.rap-up.com/2014/03/07/video-rick-ross-f-jeezy-war-ready/ |archive-date=March 8, 2014 }}</ref>
The album's third official single, "[[Thug Cry]]" featuring Lil Wayne, was serviced to [[urban contemporary|mainstream urban]] radio in the United States on March 13, 2014, and then to [[rhythmic contemporary]] radio in the same country on April 1, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.frequencynews.com/musiclibrary_detail.cfm?LabelID=6&ArtistID=54&AlbumID=1186&SingleID=3969&Gospel=0 |title=Frequency News |publisher=Frequency News |date=March 13, 2014 |access-date=May 7, 2014 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408213203/http://www.frequencynews.com/musiclibrary_detail.cfm?LabelID=6&ArtistID=54&AlbumID=1186&SingleID=3969&Gospel=0 |archive-date=April 8, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases|title=Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases|publisher=All Access|access-date=April 5, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628004841/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases|archive-date=June 28, 2014}}</ref> On May 5, 2014, the music video was released for "Thug Cry" featuring Lil Wayne.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/05/05/video-rick-ross-f-lil-wayne-thug-cry/ |title=Video: Rick Ross f/ Lil Wayne – 'Thug Cry' |work=Rap-Up |date=March 25, 2014 |access-date=May 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508030716/http://www.rap-up.com/2014/05/05/video-rick-ross-f-lil-wayne-thug-cry/ |archive-date=May 8, 2014 }}</ref>
==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings
| ADM = 6.3/10<ref name="ADM">{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/6185/Rick-Ross-Mastermind.aspx|title=Mastermind by Rick Ross reviews|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=November 6, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107155213/http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/6185/Rick-Ross-Mastermind.aspx|archive-date=November 7, 2016}}</ref>
| MC = 68/100<ref name="metacritic1">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/mastermind/rick-ross |title=Mastermind Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=March 4, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307081507/http://www.metacritic.com/music/mastermind/rick-ross |archive-date=March 7, 2014 }}</ref>
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic1">{{cite web |author=David Jeffries |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/mastermind-mw0002591648 |title=Mastermind – Rick Ross |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=March 4, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307100600/http://www.allmusic.com/album/mastermind-mw0002591648 |archive-date=March 7, 2014 }}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[The A.V. Club]]''
| rev2Score = B−<ref>{{cite web |last=Rytlewski |first=Evan |url=http://www.avclub.com/review/rick-ross-enters-post-peak-phase-his-career-master-201757 |title=Rick Ross enters the post-peak phase of his career on Mastermind |work=The A.V. Club |access-date=March 4, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307114038/http://www.avclub.com/review/rick-ross-enters-post-peak-phase-his-career-master-201757 |archive-date=March 7, 2014 }}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev3Score = A−<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/05/12/mastermind/ |title=Mastermind Review |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=March 2, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302174631/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20791204%2C00.html |archive-date=March 2, 2014 }}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Exclaim!]]''
| rev4Score = 7/10<ref name="exclaim1">{{cite web |last=Weekes |first=Jabbari |url=http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/HipHop/rick_ross-mastermind |title=Rick Ross – Mastermind |work=Exclaim! |access-date=March 4, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308072546/http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/HipHop/rick_ross-mastermind |archive-date=March 8, 2014 }}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[HipHopDX]]''
| rev5Score = 3.0/5<ref name="hiphopdx1">{{cite web |last=Pearce |first=Sheldon |url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.2235/title.rick-ross-mastermind |title=Rick Ross – Mastermind |work=HipHopDX |date=March 4, 2014 |access-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510172827/https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.2235/title.rick-ross-mastermind |archive-date=May 10, 2017 }}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
| rev6Score = {{Rating|1.5|4}}<ref name="latimes1">{{cite web |last=Wood |first=Mikael |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-pop-reviews-rick-ross-mastermind20140304,0,7709833.story |title=Album review: Rick Ross' 'Mastermind' disappoints |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 4, 2014 |access-date=March 4, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304205329/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-pop-reviews-rick-ross-mastermind20140304%2C0%2C7709833.story#axzz2uxZI7g9h |archive-date=March 4, 2014 }}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[NME]]''
| rev7Score = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/various-artists/15122 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306003011/http://www.nme.com/reviews/various-artists/15122 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 6, 2014 |title=NME Album Reviews – Rick Ross – 'Mastermind' |work=NME |access-date=March 4, 2014}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev8Score = 5.8/10<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19097-rick-ross-mastermind/ |title=Mastermind Review |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=March 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309200224/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19097-rick-ross-mastermind/ |archive-date=March 9, 2014 }}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''
| rev9Score = 5/10<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web |last=Soderberg |first=Brandon |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/rick-ross-mastermind/ |title=Rick Ross, 'Mastermind' Review |work=Spin|access-date=March 4, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307180907/http://www.spin.com/reviews/rick-ross-mastermind/ |archive-date=March 7, 2014 }}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]''
| rev10Score = 4/5<ref name="xxlmag1">{{cite web|last=Rys |first=Dan |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2014/03/rick-ross-mastermind-album-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305005842/http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2014/03/rick-ross-mastermind-album-review/ |archive-date=March 5, 2014 |title=Rick Ross Delivers A Winning Formula On 'Mastermind' |work=XXL |date=March 4, 2014 |access-date=March 4, 2014}}</ref>
}}
''Mastermind'' was met with generally positive reviews. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an [[weighted arithmetic mean|average]] score of 68, based on 23 reviews.<ref name="metacritic1"/> Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 6.3 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.<ref name="ADM"/>
Nick Catucci of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' said, "As always, he's got a gifted ear for rumbly, deep-gloss beats. "Sanctified", which Kanye produced and raps on, sounds like platinum mallets drumming on shipping containers. His flow too remains flawlessly weighted. He's leisurely and precise even on the theatrically dark "In Vein", where he raps fast to play-off the Weeknd's cynical come-ons. The bleaker the setting, the brighter Ross shines."<ref name="autogenerated1"/> David Jeffries of [[AllMusic]] said, "''Mastermind''—Ross' annual stomp-and-swagger album, 2014 edition—could be swapped out with 2009's ''Deeper Than Rap'' and only those burnt out on the album would know the difference, but when being stuck in a rut means you grind your wheels and all that spews out is gold, you only need to look to successful artists like the always funky James Brown, the always rockin' AC/DC, and the always stoned Devin the Dude for guidance."<ref name="allmusic1"/> Jabbari Weekes of ''[[Exclaim!]]'' stated, "Much like Ross' affinity for mink coats, ''Mastermind'' is grandiose in its presentation, but it still only shows the surface of the man behind it."<ref name="exclaim1"/> Mikael Wood of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' said, "As ''Mastermind''{{'}}s mastermind, though, Ross seems on auto-pilot here."<ref name="latimes1"/> Sheldon Pearce of ''[[HipHopDX]]'' stated, "''Mastermind'' simply lacks flair. It doesn't possess the pizzazz of ''Teflon Don'', which made Ross a power player or the pure gaudiness of ''Rich Forever'', which perfected his aesthetic. Rick Ross has seemingly run out of moves."<ref name="hiphopdx1"/> Brandon Soderberg of ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' said, "This is Ross at his least cohesive and most clueless since his 2006 debut, ''Port of Miami''. He has finally, totally lost himself in malleable self-mythology. His grip on reality has never been especially tight; that he found a way to further lose his way is actually strangely admirable, isn't it?"<ref name="autogenerated2"/>
Dan Rys of ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' stated, "What Ross does well, and what he does again on ''Mastermind'', is put together a body of work that is as formidable as he is, and taken as a whole it's impossible to call this anything other than a very good album. Where people like Kanye and Drake and Kendrick Lamar keep winning by shaking up the formula and dabbling in the unexpected, Ross long ago identified his lane, and he is the undisputed kingpin of his brash brand of hip-hop. Ross die-hards will not be disappointed; anyone looking for something new and different was probably looking in the wrong place to begin with. ''Mastermind'' is a powerful album, an album with an identity, and one that has some solid songs and a handful of hits. Ross delivers just what he promised."<ref name="xxlmag1"/> Craig Jenkins of ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' said, "''Mastermind'' finds Ross at a ''[[The Truman Show|Truman Show]]'' moment: his character's reached the logical end of its universe. Going forward, he can either break out or keep up a jig he knows that we know is way past expired."<ref name="pitchfork"/> Kevin Ritchie of ''[[Now (newspaper)|Now]]'' said, "A tighter track list homing in on its sombre (and stoner) moods would've been bolder, but to his credit Ross avoids commercial trendiness in favour of more personal – if familiar – forays into Philly soul, funk, 90s hip-hop and South Beach glam (courtesy of producer Scott Storch on the stellar Supreme)."<ref>{{cite web |last=Ritchie |first=Kevin |url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=196932 |title=Rick Ross |work=Now |date=March 6, 2014 |access-date=March 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307083700/http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=196932 |archive-date=March 7, 2014 }}</ref> Michael Madden of ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' said, "The main tenet of Ross's Maybach Music Group is loyalty, and Ross is loyal to his fans on ''Mastermind'': it's more or less what we're used to from him. It sounds like the album Ross wanted to make, as inspired by heroes like Dilla, and Onyx, and Wu-Tang Clan, and Biggie, and Camp Lo."<ref>{{cite web |last=Madden |first=Michael |url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2014/03/album-review-rick-ross-mastermind/ |title=Album Review: Rick Ross – Mastermind |work=Consequence of Sound |date=March 7, 2014 |access-date=March 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312011758/http://consequenceofsound.net/2014/03/album-review-rick-ross-mastermind/ |archive-date=March 12, 2014 }}</ref>
===Accolades===
''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' named it the eighteenth best album of the first half of 2014. Writing for them, Justin Charity said, "Like all of Rick Ross' albums, ''Mastermind'' is expansively gorgeous. It's cohesive without being 'concept'. [...] "The Devil Is a Lie," which features Jay Z, and "War Ready" are Mastermind's biggest, most lethal beats, bookended by blues and reggae relief. With time, "Sanctified" emerged as the post-Yeezus Kanye collaboration that a real thug would've killed for. This is a perfectly respectable third encore from a rap champion who, if the critics have their say, really could use one of those lavish vacations he boasts about."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/06/best-albums-of-2014-so-far/rick-ross-mastermind |title=Rick Ross, Mastermind |work=Complex |date=December 1, 2013 |access-date=August 6, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802120210/http://www.complex.com/music/2014/06/best-albums-of-2014-so-far/rick-ross-mastermind |archive-date=August 2, 2014 }}</ref>
==Commercial performance==
''Mastermind'' debuted at number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], with first-week sales of 179,000 copies in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27864/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-3-9-2014 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 3/9/2014 |work=HipHopDX |date=February 3, 2014 |access-date=March 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313001022/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27864/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-3-9-2014 |archive-date=March 13, 2014 }}</ref> In its second week, the album dropped to number three on the chart, selling 49,000 more copies.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27959/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-3-16-2014 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 3/16/2014 |work=HipHopDX |date=March 19, 2014 |access-date=March 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319174517/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27959/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-3-16-2014 |archive-date=March 19, 2014 }}</ref> In its third week, the album dropped to number seven on the chart, selling 27,000 more copies.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.28066/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-3-23-2014 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 3/23/2014 |work=HipHopDX |date=March 26, 2014 |access-date=March 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326164131/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.28066/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-3-23-2014 |archive-date=March 26, 2014 }}</ref> In its fourth week, the album dropped to number eleven, selling 19,000 more copies.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harling |first=Danielle |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.28149/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-3-30-2014 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 3/30/2014 |work=HipHopDX |access-date=April 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406130043/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.28149/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-3-30-2014 |archive-date=April 6, 2014 }}</ref> As of January 2015, the album has sold 397,000 copies in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6436399/nielsen-music-soundscan-2014-taylor-swift-republic-records-streaming?page=0%2C3 |title=Music in 2014: Taylor Takes the Year, Republic Records on Top, Streaming to the Rescue |last=Christman |first=Ed |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=January 9, 2015 |access-date=January 10, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111214255/http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6436399/nielsen-music-soundscan-2014-taylor-swift-republic-records-streaming?page=0%2C3 |archive-date=January 11, 2015 }}</ref>
==Track listing==
Credits were adapted from the album's liner notes and [[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI]].<ref name="LN">{{cite AV media notes|title=Mastermind|type=CD liner notes|others=[[Rick Ross]]|publisher=[[Def Jam Recordings]]|year=2014|id=61750-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/StartPage.aspx|title=BMI {{!}} Repertoire Search|publisher=BMI|access-date=February 13, 2020|at=Select "TITLE", type "Song" in the search engine, and click "Search".}}</ref>
{{Track listing
| headline = ''Mastermind'' track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length =
| title1 = Intro
| length1 = 1:01
| title2 = Rich Is Gangsta
| writer2 = {{hlist|[[Rick Ross|William Roberts II]]|Byron Forest II|[[Alan Gorrie]]|[[Hamish Stuart]]}}
| extra2 = Black Metaphor
| length2 = 3:16
| title3 = Drug Dealers Dream
| writer3 = {{hlist|Roberts II|Jerard Wiggins}}
| extra3 = J. Manifest
| length3 = 4:02
| title4 = Shots Fired
| note4  = Skit
| length4 = 0:53
| title5 = [[Nobody (Rick Ross song)|Nobody]]
| note5 = featuring [[French Montana]]
| writer5 = {{hlist|Roberts II|[[French Montana|Karim Kharbouch]]|[[Sean Combs]]|[[Stevie J]]ordan|[[DJ Enuff|Ephrem Lopez]]|George Johnson Jr.|Jean Louhisdon|[[Billy Preston]]|[[The Notorious B.I.G.|Christopher Wallace]]}}
| extra5 = {{hlist|[[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]]|[[Stevie J]] (Original version)|[[DJ Enuff]]{{ref|a|[a]}}|Jiv Pos{{ref|a|[a]}}|Puff Daddy{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length5 = 4:41
| title6 = [[The Devil Is a Lie]]
| note6 = featuring [[Jay-Z]]
| writer6 = {{hlist|Roberts II|[[Jay-Z|Shawn Carter]]|Omar Walker|Willie McNeal|LeShawn Rogers}}
| extra6 = {{hlist|Walker|Rogers{{ref|a|[a]}}|McNeal{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length6 = 5:10
| title7 = Mafia Music III
| note7 = featuring [[Sizzla]] and [[Mavado (singer)|Mavado]]
| writer7 = {{hlist|Roberts II|[[Mavado (singer)|David Brooks]]|[[Sizzla|Miguel Collins]]|[[Bink (record producer)|Roosevelt Harrell III]]|Kirk Bennett|Bobby Dixon|[[Robbie Lyn]]|Robert Shakespeare}}
| extra7 = [[Bink (record producer)|Bink]]
| length7 = 5:07
| title8 = War Ready
| note8 = featuring [[Jeezy]]
| writer8 = {{hlist|Roberts II|[[Jeezy|Jay Jenkins]]|Tracy Richardson|[[Mike Will Made It|Michael Williams]]|[[Asheton Hogan]]}}
| extra8 = {{hlist|[[Mike Will Made It]]|[[Asheton Hogan|A+]]{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length8 = 7:03
| title9 = What a Shame
| note9 = featuring French Montana
| writer9 = {{hlist|Roberts II|Kharbouch|Hector Marin|Sharif Slater|[[Ghostface Killah|Dennis Coles]]|[[RZA|Robert Diggs]]|[[GZA|Gary Grice]]|[[U-God|Lamont Hawkins]]|[[Inspectah Deck|Jason Hunter]]|[[Ol' Dirty Bastard|Russell Jones]]|Richard Randolph|[[Method Man|Clifford Smith]]|Ricky Smith|[[Dynasty (band)|Kevin Spencer]]|[[Camp Lo|Saladine Wallace]]|[[Camp Lo|Salahadeen Wilds]]|[[Ski Beatz|David Willis]]|[[Raekwon|Corey Woods]]}}
| extra9 = {{hlist|Reefa|Stats}}
| length9 = 2:14
| title10 = Supreme
| writer10 = {{hlist|Roberts II|[[Scott Storch]]|Miles Gregory}}
| extra10 = {{hlist|Storch|Puff Daddy{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length10 = 3:37
| title11 = Blk & Wht
| writer11 = {{hlist|Roberts II|Dwayne Richardson}}
| extra11 = D. Rich
| length11 = 3:59
| title12 = Dope Bitch
| note12 = Skit
| length12 = 2:53
| title13 = In Vein
| note13 = featuring [[The Weeknd]]
| writer13 = {{hlist|Roberts II|[[DaHeala|Jason Quenneville]]|[[The Weeknd|Abel Tesfaye]]}}
| extra13 = {{hlist|[[The Weeknd]]|[[DaHeala]]|Puff Daddy{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length13 = 4:21
| title14 = [[Sanctified (song)|Sanctified]]
| note14 = featuring [[Kanye West]] and [[Big Sean]]
| writer14 = {{hlist|Roberts II|[[Big Sean|Sean Anderson]]|[[Kanye West]]|[[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]]|[[Mustard (record producer)|Dijon McFarlane]]}}
| extra14 = {{hlist|West|[[Mustard (record producer)|DJ Mustard]]{{ref|a|[a]}}|Dean{{ref|a|[a]}}|Puff Daddy{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length14 = 4:49
| title15 = Walkin' on Air
| note15 = featuring [[Meek Mill]]
| writer15 = {{hlist|Roberts II|[[Meek Mill|Robert Williams]]|D. Richardson}}
| extra15 = D. Rich
| length15 = 4:28
| title16 = [[Thug Cry]]
| note16 = featuring [[Lil Wayne]]
| writer16 = {{hlist|Roberts II|[[Lil Wayne|Dwayne Carter, Jr.]]|Salomes Jackson|[[J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League|Kenny Bartolomei]]|[[J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League|Kevin Crowe]]|[[J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League|Erik Ortiz]]|[[A-Plus (rapper)|Adam Carter]]|[[Billy Cobham]]|[[Opio|Opio Lindsey]]|[[Tajai|Tajai Massey]]|[[Phesto|Damani Thompson]]}}
| extra16 = [[J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League]]
| length16 = 4:25
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length =
| title17 = Blessing in Disguise
| note17 = featuring [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]] and [[Z-Ro]]
| writer17 = {{hlist|Roberts II|[[Scarface (rapper)|Brad Jordan]]|[[Z-Ro|Joseph McVey]]|Nicholas Warwar|[[DJ Khaled|Khaled Khaled]]}}
| extra17 = {{hlist|Streetrunner|[[DJ Khaled]]{{ref|a|[a]}}|Vinny Venditto{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length17 = 4:56
| title18 = Paradise Lost
| writer18 = {{hlist|Roberts II|[[Ben Billions|Benjamin Diehl]]|Brett Bailey|David Mescon|Krystyana Chelminski|[[Kevin Cossom]]|Andrea Fisher|[[Marvin Gaye]]|[[James Nyx Jr.]]|Nicholas Varvatsoulis|[[Masspike Miles|Miles Wheeler]]}}
| extra18 = {{hlist|[[Ben Billions]]|Beats{{ref|a|[a]}}|Messy{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length18 = 4:58
| title19 = [[FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt|You Know I Got It (Reprise)]]
| writer19 = {{hlist|Roberts II|S. Carter|[[Boi-1da|Matthew Samuels]]|[[Vinylz|Anderson Hernandez]]}}
| extra19 = {{hlist|[[Boi-1da]]|[[Vinylz]]|[[J-Roc|Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon]]{{ref|b|[b]}}|[[Timbaland]]{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length19 = 4:39
}}
'''Notes'''
* {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a co-producer
* {{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}} signifies an additional producer
* "Intro" contains additional vocals by Robin Leonard
* "Shots Fired" contains additional vocals by Cira Larkin
* "Nobody" contains background vocals by [[Teedra Moses]], and additional vocals by [[Sean Combs|Diddy]]
* "War Ready" contains background vocals by Tracy T
* "Supreme" contains additional vocals by [[Katt Williams]] and [[Keith Sweat]]
* "Dope Bitch" contains vocals RK, Money Marie, and Tak (the underboss)
* "Sanctified" contains additional vocals by [[Betty Wright]]
* "Thug Cry" contains additional vocals by Betty Idol
'''Samples'''
* "Rich Is Gangsta" contains a sample of "Soul Searching" performed by [[Average White Band]].
* "Nobody" contains a sample of "You're Nobody (Till Somebody Kills You)", written by [[Sean Combs]], [[Stevie J]]ordan, George Johnson Jr, [[DJ Enuff|Ephrem Lopez]], Jean Louhisdon, [[Billy Preston]], and [[The Notorious B.I.G.|Christopher Wallace]].
* "The Devil Is a Lie" contains a sample of "Don't Let Your Love Fade Away" performed by Gene Williams, written by Lee Harris and Ellie Taylor.
* "What a Shame" contains elements of "Shame on a Nigga", written by [[Ghostface Killah|Dennis Coles]], [[RZA|Robert Diggs]], [[GZA|Gary Grice]], [[U-God|Lamont Hawkins]], [[Inspectah Deck|Jason Hunter]], [[Ol' Dirty Bastard|Russell Jones]], [[Method Man|Clifford Smith]], and [[Raekwon|Corey Woods]]; a sample of "It Takes Two" by Lyn Collins; and interpolations of "Luchini", written by Richard Randolph, Clifford Smith, [[Dynasty (band)|Kevin Spencer]], Christopher Wallace, [[Ski Beatz|David Willis]], and Salahadeen Wilds.
* "Supreme" contains elements of "Is It Love You're After", written by Miles Gregory.
* "Thug Cry" contains a sample of "93 Til Infinity" performed by [[Souls of Mischief]], written by [[A-Plus (rapper)|Adam Carter]], [[Billy Cobham]], [[Opio|Opio Lindsey]], [[Tajai|Tajai Massey]], and [[Phesto|Damani Thompson]].
==Credits and personnel==
Credits for ''Mastermind'' adapted from [[AllMusic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/mastermind-mw0002591648/credits |title=Mastermind – Rick Ross &#124; Credits |publisher=AllMusic |date=March 4, 2014 |access-date=April 5, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509165648/http://www.allmusic.com/album/mastermind-mw0002591648/credits |archive-date=May 9, 2016 }}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* A+ – producer
* Chris Athens – mastering
* Chris Atlas – marketing
* Sam Berry IV – assistant engineer
* Alex "Gucci Pucci" Bethune – executive producer
* Big Sean – featured artist
* Bink – producer
* Black Metaphor – producer
* Sam Bohl – assistant engineer
* Michael "Banger" Cahadia – vocal engineer
* Dustin Capulong – assistant engineer
* Anthony Cruz – vocal engineer
* Mike Dean – instrumentation, producer
* Diddy – additional production, executive producer, producer
* Ben Diehl – engineer
* DJ Enuff – producer
* DJ Khaled – executive producer
* Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II – additional music, bass
* French Montana – vocals, vocals (background)
* Noah Goldstein – engineer
* Jason Guida – assistant engineer
* Eldwardo "Eddie Mix" Hernandez – engineer
* Victoria Holland – assistant engineer
* Stevie J. – producer
* Jaycen Joshua – mixing
* Jay-Z – featured artist
* Jeezy – featured artist
* J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League – producer
* Anes Ansouri – vocals
* Ryan Kaul – mixing assistant
* John "J-Banga" Kercy – engineer
* Cira Larkin – vocals
* Robin Leonard – vocals
* Lil Wayne – featured artist
* Pamela Littky – photography
* Deborah Mannis-Gardner – sample clearance
* Fabian Marasciullo – mixing
* Hector Marin – producer
* Mavado – featured artist
* Tadarius McCombs – guitar (bass)
* Stephen McDowell – assistant engineer, engineer
* Dijon McFarlane – producer
* Willie McNeal – producer
* Meek Mill – featured artist
* Michelle Trumpler – engineer
* Mike Will Made It – producer
* Zeke Mishanec – assistant engineer
* Money Marie – vocals
* Teedra Moses – vocals (background)
* Jason Patterson – vocal engineer
* Jiv Pos – producer
* Andy Proctor – package production
* Jason Quenneville – producer, vocal engineer
* Rony Rey – vocal engineer
* D Rich – producer
* Ramon Rivas – vocal engineer
* John Rivers – engineer
* RK – vocals
* Todd Robinson – assistant engineer
* Leshawn Rogers – producer
* Rick Ross – executive producer, primary artist
* Sizzla – featured artist
* Sharif Slater – producer
* Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor – vocal engineer
* Scott Storch – producer
* Keith Sweat – vocals
* Tracy T. – vocals (background)
* Tak – vocals
* Matthew Testa – engineer
* Omar Walker – producer
* The Weeknd – featured artist, producer
* Dawud West – package design
* Kanye West – featured artist, producer
* Whole Slab – vocals
* Katt Williams – vocals
* Betty Wright – vocals
{{div col end}}
==Charts==
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+Chart performance for ''Mastermind''
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2014)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|49|artist=Rick Ross|album=Mastermind|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 11, 2014}}
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|41|artist=Rick Ross|album=Mastermind|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 11, 2014}}
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|42|artist=Rick Ross|album=Mastermind|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 11, 2014}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|5|artist=Rick Ross|album=Mastermind|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 11, 2014}}
|-
{{album chart|Denmark|39|artist=Rick Ross|album=Mastermind|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 15, 2014}}
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|25|artist=Rick Ross|album=Mastermind|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|France|52|artist=Rick Ross|album=Mastermind|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 11, 2014}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|89|id=238333|artist=Rick Ross|album=Mastermind|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 11, 2014}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|20|artist=Rick Ross|album=Mastermind|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 11, 2014}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|11|date=20140309|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 9, 2014}}
|-
{{album chart|UKR&B|2|date=20140309|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 9, 2014}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Rick Ross|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 11, 2014}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=Rick Ross|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 11, 2014}}
|}
{{col-2}}
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2014 year-end chart performance for ''Mastermind''
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2014)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2014/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2014|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 5, 2014}}</ref>
| 44
|-
! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2014/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2014|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 23, 2020}}</ref>
| 10
|}
{{col-end}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Rick Ross}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:2014 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Bink (record producer)]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Mustard (record producer)]]
[[Category:Albums produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Kanye West]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Mike Will Made It]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Scott Storch]]
[[Category:Def Jam Recordings albums]]
[[Category:Maybach Music Group albums]]
[[Category:Rick Ross albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Stevie J]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Mike Dean (record producer)]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Boi-1da]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Timbaland]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon]]
[[Category:Albums produced by DJ Khaled]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Vinylz]]