During the album's development, some controversy arose over the release of photos, showing Ross working as a correctional officer during his ongoing feud with rapper 50 Cent.

[4] Ross released the street track, titled "Kiss My Pinky Ring Curly", which was intended to attack towards fellow rapper 50 Cent.

[5] In March 2009, the album release date was delayed to April 21, before Ross told MTV News about a possible charity concert for the underprivileged neighborhoods of New York City.

"[11] Adam M. Levin of RapReviews described the album as "essentially a gangster movie on wax, and Ross is excellent in his role as the boss at the top of the heap with nothing to lose but his cool.

"[16] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times gave Deeper Than Rap a favorable review and perceived it as an improvement over Ross's previous work.

[14] On its production and musical style, Caramanica wrote "this album is lush, erotic, entitled, a stunning leisure-class document of easy wealth and carefree sex.

"[19] Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone felt that Ross' formula of shiny beats that supply tracks telling rap lifestyle stories was tiring, saying that "over the length of a full album it all feels a bit too familiar.