The big ‘bawse’ Rick Ross is back again! The Good Forgives, I Don’t rapper offered up a surprise for his fans yesterday.

On Tues. Feb. 25, Ross announced that his new album Mastermind began streaming on iTunes Radio. The announcement comes a full week before the album’s official release date.

According to UPI, Ross announced his sixth studio album well over a year ago. However, due to a number of setbacks the album has been postponed numerous times, with “false-start release dates” ever since that initial announcement. Preliminary production and planning for the album began some time in 2012.

The first promotional single “Box Chevy” was actually released on February 15, 2013. Back in October, the “BMF” rapper stated that the album was scheduled to be released sometime in December of 2013, only to be pushed back until March.

6th solo album. Mastermind 12/17 pic.twitter.com/GMon6hPsyk

— Mastermind (@rickyrozay) October 9, 2013

Ross, who has been described as “cunning and calculating” has explained that all details for the production of the album were strategic and deliberate. The 38-year-old rapper also expressed that the feeling of the album is “definitely soulful.” In January, he released a cinematic trailer in reference to the upcoming album. He tweeted a link to the trailer, which was officially released via World Star Hip Hop.

The two-minute, 45-second trailer kicked off with a series of notable soul records including Curtis Mayfield’s “Super Fly” and “Give Me Your Love (Love Song),” which serves as an example of the rapper’s soulful, signature sound.

“This album, I most definitely tapped into the Curtis Mayfield of soul,” he told MTV News correspondent Sway last year. “I actually just got off the phone with Bobby Womack less than an hour ago. He’s one of my favorites. … We just spoke on it, so we got a little connecting to do, but it’s feeling good.”

“I wanted to make that clear for the ones that paid attention that that’s most definitely my vibe,” the Self-Made rapper said.

.@rickyrozay #Mastermind is coming! March 4th, 2014. Who’s ready? http://t.co/LVB7jfRlRX pic.twitter.com/y8Y7xzzHIv

— Def Jam Recordings (@DefJamRecords) January 14, 2014

The 16-track album features appearances from Jay-Z, Jeezy, Kanye West, Big Sean, Diddy, French Montana, Meek Mill, Lil Wayne, Sizzla, Movado, and The Weeknd. Mastermind boasts production from notable rap producers like the “Bands a Make Her Dance” beat-maker Mike WiLL Made It, Scott Storch, “All the Way Turnt Up” producer K.E. On the Track, and the “Maybach Music” production squad J.U.S.T.I.C.E League.

Mastermind drops on Tuesday, March 4. The album, which is also executively produced by Diddy, will be released under Ross’ own label, Maybach Music Group.

Image via Facebook, Rick Ross and Triple C’s