I Can’t Stop Obsessing About the Mike Tyson Intro on Rick Ross’ “High Definition” Posted by Nathan S. on 08/08/13 | Filed under Opinion, Rap Lines That Make No Sense, Rick Ross

If the definition of a classic is something that stands the test of time, then I've got good news for people who love man titties, Rick Ross' "Rich Forever" mixtape is a classic. Over the last year and half since it first dropped, it's become one of my go to "turn off my brain and turn up the volume" album during those rare times I make it into the gym, when I'm driving late at night and need to stay awake, etc.

Over time my appreciation for "Rich Forever" has only deepened. I could spend an entire article on just how hilariously brilliant Diddy's ad-libs are on "Holy Ghost". His "Hello?" after "Phone ringing, gotta be the Mexicans..." is as good as it gets (the only thing better would be if he said "hola?".) And don't even get me started on the ignorant brilliance that is "Fuck 'Em".

But one moment on "Rich Forever" has become an obsession, the Mike Tyson interview into on "High Definition":



It's a fucking amazing and powerful clip, it really could be one of the best song intros ever, except ITS EXACTLY COUNTER TO EVERYTHING RICK ROSS AND THE ENTIRE ALBUM STANDS FOR. The more I think about it, the more it becomes one of the most confusing moments in rap history for me. This is deeper than "Rap Intros That Make No Fucking Sense". Tyson's talking about how empty materialism is, how he learned that all of the glory and fame he bled for has come to mean nothing. Rick Ross, on other hand, is the living, breathing, lobster bisque eating manifestation of unapologetic materialism. It's literally the centerpiece of his entire career, and the rest of "High Definition".

Skit: Interviewer Bill Whitaker & Mike Tyson
Bill Whitaker: Look at this stuff, this is history here...you're history
Mike Tyson: This is garbage...I can say I bled for garbage
Whitaker: So this is meaningless...
Tyson: No, at one time it meant a lot. When you're just a young kid this is everything to you, then you realize your priorities change. And you just want your children to be happy and do nice things and that makes you happy. This is nothing. This is just nothing man...

Rick Ross "High Definition"
"I could talk about the bitches, I could tell you 'bout the bricks
Pull up in the Bentley I could pop up in the six
Helicopter rides I can sit it on the club
Sound of the propeller had my young bitch busting nuts"

So why? Why would Rick Ross choose to kick off "High Definition" with what essentially amounts to Tyson's saying Rick Ross' music is empty and shallow? Why? Did he originally get the beat with that intro attached, didn't bother to remove it, and plowed ahead writing his usual song anyway? He may not be Stephen Hawking, but he's still too smart not to realize what the intro means and consciously choose to keep it in the song, album and ensuing video. Or did he write "High Definition", come across that Tyson interview (or someone else in MMG) and then go back and add it in? Because that's even more confusing.

Ross kicking off "High Definition" with the Tyson intro is like him including a warning from Dr. Oz about the dangers of eating lobster bisque for breakfast on the intro to "I Love My Bitches". Like ScHoolboy Q including a drunk driving warning in the beginning of "Hands on the Wheel". Like French Montana putting a Gloria Steinem speech as intro to "Pop That". You get the point.

Understanding this intro feels like the key to understanding Rick Ross, it's the Bawse Rosetta Stone. Is this his subtle way of letting us know that he knows the luxury rap he does is ultimately meaningless? Or is he really so unthinking that he just throws in Tyson clips because it's Tyson and Tyson's insane?

Unless I get the chance to interview him*, we'll probably never know. In the meantime, I'll just have to keep banging "Rich Forever" while continuing to ponder one of rap's great mysteries.



* This is exactly why I'm not allowed to interview famous rappers.

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