Rick Ross (rapper)

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Rick Ross
Background information
Birth name	William Leonard Roberts II[1]
Also known as	The Boss
Born	January 28, 1976 (1976-01-28) (age 33) Coahoma County, Mississippi[1]
Origin	Miami, Florida
Genre(s)	Hip hop
Label(s)	Suave House, Slip-n-Slide, Def Jam, Poe Boy, Maybach Music Group
Website	rickross.defjam.com

William Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), better known by his stage name Rick Ross is an American rapper. He took his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection. Rick Ross has also founded his own record label Maybach Music Group, on which he released his third studio album Deeper Than Rap.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Music career 2.1 Port of Miami (2006) 2.2 Trilla (2008) 2.3 Deeper Than Rap (2009) 2.4 Current & Future Work 3 Personal life and disputes 3.1 Corrections officer photos and lawsuit 3.2 Feud with 50 Cent 3.3 2008 Arrest 3.4 Counterfeit Louis Vuitton sunglasses 4 Discography 4.1 Solo albums 4.2 Collaboration albums 5 References 6 External links

Early life

Rick Ross was born William Leonard Roberts II in Coahoma County, Mississippi.^[1] and raised in Carol City, Florida, of Miami.^[2] After graduating from Carol City Senior High School, he later attended the historically black college Albany State University in Albany, Georgia.^[3]. He joined Suave House Records, former label for rap duo 8Ball & MJG. He eventually signed a deal with Slip-n-Slide Records, which has been under the Def Jam umbrella since 2006. While signed to Slip-n-Slide, Ross toured with fellow rapper Trick Daddy and made guest performances on other Slip-n-Slide rap albums.^[2]

Music career

Port of Miami (2006)

His debut album Port of Miami, was released in August 2006 and debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200 album chart with sales at 187,000 units its first week out.^[4][5] Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone magazine predicted that it would be "the summer's biggest rap record".^[6] The second single was "Push It", which samples "Scarface (Push It to the Limit)", the theme song off the gangster film Scarface.^[7] The music video for "Push It" was also modeled after the film.^[8] During that time, Ross made guest performances on two singles from DJ Khaled's debut Listennn... the Album: "Born-N-Raised" and "Holla at Me". Port of Miami received Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America on November 8, 2006.

Trilla (2008)

In March 2008, his second album Trilla was released and, as its predecessor Port of Miami had, debuted at the top of the Billboard 200.^[9] Its lead single "Speedin'" featuring R. Kelly peaked at #121 on the Billboard Hot 100; the next one, "The Boss" featuring T-Pain peaked at #17 on the Hot 100. The third single "Here I Am" featured Nelly and Avery Storm.^[10] MTV News ranked Ross on the fourth spot in its 2008 "Hottest MCs In The Game" list among ten rappers.^[11] The fourth Single "This Is The Life" featured Trey Songz and was released in July.

Deeper Than Rap (2009)

His third studio album was released on April 21, 2009 under his own label, Maybach Music Group, unlike his previous releases with Slip-N-Slide Records. The first single, "Magnificent" featuring John Legend, peaked at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single, "Usual Suspects" features Nas and was released on April 7, 2009. Deeper Than Rap was also one of the most highly anticipated hip-hop albums of the year, due to the fallout from Rick Ross's heated battle with rival 50 Cent. Ross talks about how when other rappers are on the throne, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Birdman are rappers who come to mind.

"I look at the game and the business and all different aspects, it's a lot of great lyricists on the corner that will never properly understand the business and know how to market themselves and get in a position where they can gain capital. I look at all the strategies people use and what made them successful. What made Birdman just as relevant today after selling 50 million records? That intrigues me. To see the class of Jay-Z, his accomplishments and see how he sits backs and accurately makes his moves"^[12]

A track from the album called "Valley of Death" was what stood out to MTV reporters. In the song, Ross speaks briefly on his controversial stint as a prison guard. "Keep it trilla, nigga, never had a gun and badge," which he stresses, leaving the word that he was indeed an officer of the law. "Kept a nice watch, smoking on a hundred sack/ Back in the day I sold crack for some nice kicks/ Skippin' school, I saw my friend stabbed with an ice pick/ Can't criticize niggas trying to get jobs/ Better get smart, young brother, live yours." "However, many fans are not buying that nonsense. Later, he implies that while he was working as a corrections officer, he was also on the streets. "Only lived once and I got two kids/ And for me to feed them, I'll get two gigs," he raps. "I'll shovel shit, I'll C.O./ So we can bow our heads and pray over the meatloaf." Although, he still provided no explanation for lying about being a C.O. to begin with, nor did he explain why he failed to pay child support for his children.^[13][14]

Current & Future Work

Rick Ross is currently working on the collaboration album with Birdman entitled H. It is set to be released sometime in 2009. The first single is entitled Bitch I'm The Shit. Ross is also planning to release his 4th studio album entitled Teflon Don which has been confirmed on some of his websites. It is set to be released in early 2010. He is also working on a collaboration with the Triple C's entitled Custom Cars and Cycles which is set to be released in 2010.

Personal life and disputes

Corrections officer photos and lawsuit

In July 2008, The Smoking Gun produced details linking Ross's social security number to a two-year stint as a correctional officer in a Florida prison facility, along with a photograph purporting to be Ross in his correctional officer uniform.^[15] Ross initially denied that the photograph was of him;^[16] however, after overwhelming evidence of his past came into the public's eye, Ross later admitted that he did in fact work as a corrections officer in Florida during the early 90's.^[17] In a recent interview with AllHipHop.com,^[18] "Freeway" Ricky Ross, claimed offense that Roberts used his name and identity when he learned that The Smoking Gun posted documents revealing Roberts' previous employment as a Florida corrections officer.^[19] In August of 2008, YouTube entertainer DJ Vlad filed a 4 million dollar lawsuit against Rick Ross for assault. Vlad claimed Ross organized an ambush on him at the 2008 Ozone Awards in Houston, Texas for asking questions about his past as a correctional officer. Vlad was left with seven stitches below one of his eyes, three facial fractures, a corneal abrasion and possible permanent nerve damage.^[20]

Feud with 50 Cent

Rick Ross started a feud with rapper 50 Cent because he supposedly looked at him the wrong way at the BET Awards. However, 50 cent told news sources that he did not even remember seeing Rick Ross there.^[21] In late January, a track entitled "Mafia Music" by Rick Ross, leaked onto the Internet. There were several lines that seem to diss 50 Cent. Days later, 50 Cent released "Officer Ricky (Go Head, Try Me)" in response to Rick Ross's disparaging remarks on his "Mafia Music" song.

In early February, 50 Cent once again made a video which he uploaded to YouTube where he interviews "Tia", the mother of one of Rick Ross's children. She verifies his being a correctional officer and claims his whole persona is fake and fraudulent.^[22] On Thursday, February 5, 2009, The Game, who 50 Cent has a long-standing "beef" with, called up Seattle's KUBE 93 Radio Station. When asked about the beef between 50 Cent and Rick Ross, The Game sided with 50 Cent and said that things are not looking good for Rick Ross. However, he offered to help Rick Ross get out of this situation, stating "Rick Ross, holla at your boy, man," and, "50 eating you, boy."^[23] In his album Deeper Than Rap, Ross references 50 in his song "In Cold Blood." A video for the song was released that portrayed 50's "funeral." With this, Ross feels that he has ended 50's career.^[24]

In March, 50 released a sex tape to the internet which included the mother of Rick Ross's child, yet filmed with another man. The woman was identified as "Brooke" by the "Double R" tattoo on her chest, who is the mother of Ross' youngest child. 50, in a wig, proceeded to narrate the film verbally attacking Ross.^[25] Some have commented on Rick Ross being the Gusto of Hip-hop. In an interview, 50 Cent said, Rick Ross is ‘Albert From CB4. You ever seen the movie? He's Albert," he added. "It never gets worse than this. You get a guy that was a correctional officer come out and base his entire career on writing material from a drug dealer's perspective such as "Freeway" Ricky Ross".^[26]

2008 Arrest

During a deposition of Officer Rey Hernandez, a Miami Beach cop who arrested Ross in January 2008 on gun and marijuana charges, Ross’s lawyer, Allan Zamren, asked Hernandez why Ross’s case was assigned to the gang task force. The officer stated that it was because Ross claimed affiliation with Carol City Cartel and other known gang members. Zamren then pressed Hernandez for a personal link between Ross and the gang members, but ultimately one could not be established.^[27]

Counterfeit Louis Vuitton sunglasses

An issue of XXL magazine featuring Rick Ross on the cover entitled "Rick Ross Up in Smoke" show's him wearing a pair of counterfeit Louis Vuitton sunglasses. A spokesperson for the luxury-goods maker recently contacted the mag to inform them that Ross was sporting knock-off shades.^[28] The letter reads as follows:

"Dear editor,
We were dismayed to see the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL magazine, which features a photo of Rick Ross wearing a pair of sunglasses prominently featuring counterfeit Louis Vuitton trademarks. Because the photo has generated considerable confusion among your readers and Louis Vuitton customers, among others, we feel it is important to clarify several points. The first is that the sunglasses Mr. Ross is wearing were not made by Louis Vuitton and, in fact, are counterfeit. Louis Vuitton did not grant permission to Mr. Ross or to whoever did make the sunglasses to use our trademarks. The second is that no affiliation, sponsorship or association exists between Rick Ross or XXL and Louis Vuitton. The third is that counterfeiting is illegal.^[29]

After it was reported that Rick Ross was ousted for wearing counterfeit Louis Vuitton sunglasses by the company Louis Vuitton itself, new details have now revealed that the rapper was actually wearing authentic Louis Vuitton sunglasses which were illegally altered by Jacob ‘Jack’ Bernstein aka “The Sunglass Pimp,” a name given to him by hip hop music producer Jazze Pha. Now, Jacob “The Sunglass Pimp” Bernstein, has responded in his own statement claiming that his customizations are “..the same thing as buying a Rolls Royce and tricking out the entire interior, adding on a body kit, adding on the rims” adding that “after all that, you’re not going to call the Rolls Royce counterfeit. Just because the product has been customized by me does not take away from the fact that the frames are authentic Louis Vuitton Millionaires,” Jacob “The Sunglass Pimp” Bernstein added. However, Louis Vuitton is now involved in a class action lawsuit with The Sunglass Pimp for altering it's trademark property and selling it without permission.^[30]

Discography

Solo albums

• 2006: Port of Miami
• 2008: Trilla
• 2009: Deeper Than Rap
• 2010: Teflon Don^[31]

Collaboration albums

• 2009: The H (with Birdman)^[32]
• 2009: Custom Cars & Cycles (with Triple C's)^[33]

References

External links

• Rick Ross Official Def Jam Website
• Rick Ross at the Internet Movie Database
• Rick Ross at MySpace
• Rick Ross channel at YouTube

v • d • e Rick Ross Studio albums Port of Miami · Trilla · Deeper Than Rap Compilation albums Rise To Power Singles "Hustlin'" · "Push It" · "Speedin'" · "The Boss" · "Get Love Too" · "Here I Am" · "Mafia Music" · "Magnificent" · "All I Really Want" · "Maybach Music 2" Featured singles "Holla at Me" · "Make It Rain (Remix)" · "We Takin' Over" · "I'm So Hood" · "100 Million" · "Lights Get Low" · "Cash Flow" · "Foolish (Remix)" · "Out Here Grindin" · "You're Everything" · "Welcome to the World" · "What It Is"  · "Sun Come Up" Related articles Discography · Poe Boy Entertainment · Slip-n-Slide Records · Def Jam Recordings