“This is about the Mastermind, this is about the music,” Rick Ross said as he briefly addressed the anxious first listeners of his sixth LP. He did not dive into details about the creative process, studio sessions, or the story he hopes to tell in the 16 track project – instead he wanted the music to speak for itself with a minimalist introduction.

Prepared to watch a full on Rozay visual album, the intro came blaring through the speakers. While the Belaire Boy did not reveal 16 videos, he did depict the story of each track photographically moving through each image to literally or abstractly express a particular line, verse or chorus. There were also varying flicks of Ross in the collages as well as his features.

With a packed MMG section, the nodding heads to each beat and word bellowed from the surround sound echoed throughout the room. A strict no phone policy forced listeners to maintain their full attention to every detail of each track and soak in the images.

Mastermind gives you Rick Ross. Deep, baritone voice flexing over beats with horns and piano. The drug dealer references, innuendos and themes move throughout the album with strategically placed tracks offering up a break from the main plot. What makes his sixth album not just another dealer soundtrack are the unexpected tracks showing off Ross’ lyrical finesse.

The historically hip-hop, Diddy produced “Nobody” to the reggae inspired “Mafia Music III” featuring Mavado and Sizzla, will give fans an added layer of complexity for their ears to vibe to. It isn’t just about the drug dealer lifestyle, there’s a message to make an everlasting impression in music and beyond. On various tracks, religion is called into play as Ross “pray he never dies.” His music and legacy will be eternal. Whether speaking figuratively or literally, we are given a taste of what happens when Ross, Kanye West and Big Sean come to deliver a sermon on “Sanctified.” Amongst all the heavy religious and drug undertones, Ross also flosses in “Supreme” and has a track for the ladies on The Weekend assisted “In Vein.” These tracks add the necessary layers to make Mastermind a great album.

Mastermind drops March 4 and is available for pre-order on iTunes.