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{{for|other people with the same name|Rick Ross (disambiguation) }}
{{pp-semi-blp|small=yes}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Rick Ross
| image = RickRossToronto.jpg
| caption = Rick Ross performing at the [[Polson Pier]] in [[Toronto]], December 2011.
| background = solo_singer
|alias =
| birth_name = William Leonard Roberts II
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1976|01|28}}
| origin = [[Carol City, Florida]], United States
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| occupation = [[Rapping|Rapper]],<ref>{{cite journal|last=Crosley|first=Hilary|date=June 3, 2006|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=XhYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA55#v=onepage&q&f=false|title='Hustlin' Pays Off For Miami's Rick Ross|journal=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|page=55|volume=118|issue=22|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> [[Ghostwriter#Pop music|ghostwriter]]<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/features/2012/08/xxl-presents-hip-hops-10-greatest-ghostwriters-poll/#3|title=XXL Presents… Hip-Hop’s 10 Greatest Ghostwriters <nowiki>[Poll]</nowiki>|journal=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|location=New York|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref>
| associated_acts = [[Maybach Music Group]], [[Triple C's]], [[DJ Khaled]], [[Sean Combs|Diddy]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Trick Daddy]], [[French Montana]], [[Ace Hood]], [[Birdman (entertainer)|Birdman]], [[Drake (entertainer)|Drake]], [[Lil Wayne]], [[T-Pain]]
| years_active = 2001<ref>[http://www.complex.com/music/2011/12/the-50-best-miami-rap-songs/somethings-going-on 35. The P.O.D. f/ Rick Ross and Trick Daddy "Something's Going On" (2001) — The 50 Best Miami Rap Songs | Complex<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>–present
| label = [[Maybach Music Group]], [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]
| website = {{url|godforgivesidont.com}}
}}
'''William Leonard Roberts II''' (born January 28, 1976), known by his stage name '''Rick Ross''' (often stylized as '''RICK RO$$'''), is an American rapper. Ross founded the record label [[Maybach Music Group]], on which he released his studio albums ''[[Deeper Than Rap]]'' (2009) ''[[Teflon Don (album)|Teflon Don]]'' (2010) and ''[[God Forgives, I Don't]]'' (2012). Ross was also the first artist signed to [[Sean Combs|Diddy]]'s management company [[Ciroc Entertainment]]. In early 2012, [[MTV]] named Ross as the [[MTV's Annual Hottest MC List#2011|Hottest MC In The Game]].<ref name="rapradar.com">{{cite web|url=http://rapradar.com/2012/02/19/rick-ross-1-hottest-mc-in-the-game/ |title=Rick Ross: #1 Hottest MC In The Game |publisher=Rap Radar |date=2012-02-19 |accessdate=2012-03-30}}</ref>

==Life and career==

===Early life and career beginnings===
William Leonard Roberts II was born in [[Coahoma County, Mississippi|Coahoma County]], Mississippi,<ref name="birth certificate">[http://www.thesmokinggun.com/file/rick-rosss-jail-time?page=17 Birth certificate] of William Roberts (Rick Ross) as scanned by ''[[The Smoking Gun]]''</ref> and raised in [[Carol City, Florida]], near Miami.<ref name="all music"/> After graduating from [[Miami Carol City High School|Carol City Senior High School]], he later attended the [[historically black college]] [[Albany State University]] on a football scholarship.<ref>{{cite web|last=Handelsman|first=Jason|title=Rick Ross Spins a New One|url=http://miaminewtimes.com/2008-01-10/music/rick-ross-spins-a-new-one/full|work=Miami New Times|date=January 10, 2008|accessdate=May 24, 2008}}</ref> He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker [[Ricky Ross (drug trafficker)|"Freeway" Rick Ross]], to whom he has no connection.

After being signed to 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 albums.<ref name="all music">{{cite web|last=Cordor|first=Cyril|title=Rick Ross Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rick-ross-p736150/biography|work=Allmusic|accessdate=April 1, 2011|quote=During the early to mid-2000s, he became popular and well known locally through touring with Trick Daddy and guest-appearing on a few Slip-N-Slide releases, but didn't release any solo material until 2006.}}</ref>

===2006–08: ''Port of Miami'' and ''Trilla''===
{{Main|Port of Miami (album)|Trilla}}
His debut album ''[[Port of Miami (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 after its first week.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harris|first=Chris|title=Rick Ross Sails Past Breaking Benjamin, Takes Port Of Miami To #1|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1538669/20060816/ross__rick__rap_.jhtml|work=MTV News|date=August 16, 2006|accessdate=May 24, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Port of Miami – Charts & Awards|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r847767|pure_url=yes}} |work=Allmusic|year=2006}}</ref> Christian Hoard of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine predicted that it would be "the summer's biggest rap record".<ref>{{cite web|last=Hoard|first=Christian|title=Rick Ross, Miami's Latest Hip-Hop Phenom|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10464338/a_primer_on_rick_ross_miamis_latest_hiphop_phenom|work=Rolling Stone|date=June 1, 2006|archiveurl=http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20090402121857/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10464338/a_primer_on_rick_ross_miamis_latest_hiphop_phenom|archivedate=April 2, 2009}}</ref> The second single was "Push It", which samples "[[Scarface (Push It to the Limit)]]", the theme song off the gangster film ''[[Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|title=Rick Ross Ready to 'Blow' Up When He Docks At Port Of Miami In August|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1536628/20060718/ross__rick__rap_.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=July 18, 2006|accessdate=May 24, 2008}}</ref> The music video for "Push It" was modeled after the film.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=A Newcomer 10 Years In The Making: Rick Ross Gets Help From Jay-Z, Akon On First LP|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1537187/20060726/ross__rick__rap_.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=July 26, 2006|accessdate=May 24, 2008}}</ref> 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.

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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Rick Ross On #1 Trilla Beating Out Snoop, Fat Joe: 'I Told Them We Bossin' Up'|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1583694/20080319/ross__rick__rap_.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=March 19, 2008|accessdate=May 24, 2008}}</ref> Its lead single "Speedin'" featuring [[R. Kelly]] peaked at #121 on the Billboard Hot 100; the next one, "[[The Boss (Rick Ross song)|The Boss]]" featuring [[T-Pain]] peaked at #17 on the Hot 100. The third single "[[Here I Am (Rick Ross song)|Here I Am]]" featured [[Nelly]] and [[Avery Storm]].<ref name="Tiger">{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Rick Ross Talks About Tiger Attack – Seriously! – On The Set Of His 'Here I Am' Video|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587800/20080520/ross__rick__rap_.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=May 20, 2008|accessdate=May 24, 2008}}</ref> [[MTV News]] ranked Ross on the fourth spot in its 2008 "Hottest MCs In The Game" list among ten rappers.<ref>{{cite web|title='Hottest MCs In The Game': Rick Ross Bosses Up To #4|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587657/20080516/ross__rick__rap_.jhtml|work=MTV News|date=May 16, 2008|accessdate=July 7, 2008}}</ref> The fourth single "This Is The Life" featured [[Trey Songz]] and was released in July.

===2009–10: ''Deeper Than Rap'' and ''Teflon Don''===
{{Main|Deeper Than Rap|Teflon Don (album)}}
<blockquote>"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."<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1608776/20090407/story.jhtml Rick Ross Is 'Competing For The Throne' With Deeper Than Rap], mtv.com</ref></blockquote>

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." Later, he implies that while he was working as a corrections officer, he was 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.<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1609204/20090414/ross__rick__rap_.jhtml Rick Ross Justifies Prison-Guard Past In New Track – Listen Here], mtv.com</ref><ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1610106/20090427/ross__rick__rap_.jhtml Rick Ross' 'Valley Of Death' Was Intended For Jay-Z], mtv.com</ref>

The cover of the May 2009 issue of [[XXL magazine]], titled "Rick Ross Up in Smoke", featured Ross wearing a pair of [[Louis Vuitton]] sunglasses. After publication, a spokesperson for the luxury-goods maker contacted ''XXL'' to inform them that Ross was sporting fake sunglasses in the cover image.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|title=Rick Ross Called Out For Fake Louis Vuitton Sunglasses On XXL Cover|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1611166/20090512/ross__rick__rap_.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=May 12, 2009|accessdate=November 6, 2009}}</ref> It was later revealed that the rapper was wearing authentic Louis Vuitton sunglasses which were altered by Jacob Bernstein, known as "The Sunglass Pimp". Bernstein defended his customizations despite Louis Vuitton's insistence that such modification and resale of trademarked property is not legal.<ref>{{cite web|author=J.R.|title=Rick Ross’ Louis Vuitton Rumor Slammed By The ‘Sunglass Pimp’|url=http://www.hiphoprx.com/2009/05/15/rick-ross-louis-vuitton-rumor-slammed-by-the-sunglass-pimp/|work=HipHopRX|date=May 15, 2009|accessdate=November 6, 2009}}</ref>

Rick Ross released his fourth studio album entitled ''Teflon Don'', which was released on July 6, 2010. The lead is "[[Super High]]" featuring [[Ne-Yo]]. Actress [[Stacey Dash]] made an appearance in the music video. A second official single was released titled "Live Fast, Die Young" which features and is produced by [[Kanye West]]. The album debuted at #2 on the [[Billboard 200]] selling 176,000 copies in its first week.

In November 2010, rapper and frequent collaborator, [[Sean Combs|Diddy]], who in 2009 signed Ross to a management deal with his [[Ciroc Entertainment]], announced from his YouTube account, that him and Ross are working on an EP together, which is going to be released in 2011.{{update after|2011|12|31}} A single has been released for the project, called "Another One".<ref>{{cite news|last= Roberts II |first= William L. |title= Bugatti Boyz (Diddy & Rick Ross) – Another One |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv24FRQ6JvI|date=October 12, 2010|accessdate=October 17, 2010}}</ref>

===2011–present: ''God Forgives, I Don't'' and ''Mastermind''===
[[File:Rick Ross in 2011.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Rick Ross in March 2011.]]
Rick Ross performed at [[BET Awards 2011]], which aired on June 26, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rick Ross Performing at BET Awards 2011| url=http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2011/performers/rick-ross.html}}</ref> He also received a nomination for Best Male Hip Hop Artist.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2011/nominees/best-male-hip-hop-artist.html|title=Best Male Hip Hop Artist {{!}} BET Awards |publisher=BET |date= |accessdate=November 21, 2011}}</ref> In early 2012, Ross was named the [[MTV's Annual Hottest MC List#2011|Hottest MC in the Game]].<ref name="rapradar.com"/>

Ross' fifth studio album, ''[[God Forgives, I Don't]]'', was originally scheduled to be released on December 13, 2011, though it was later delayed to July 31, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/01/04/new-music-rick-ross-f-drake-made-men/ |title=New Music: Rick Ross f/ Drake – ‘Made Men’ |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date= |accessdate=March 2, 2011}}</ref><ref name="hiphopdx.com">{{cite web|last=Jacobs |first=Allen |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.17650/title.rick-ross-officially-delays-god-forgives-i-dont-to-2012 |title=Rick Ross Officially Delays "God Forgives, I Don't" To 2012 &#124; Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=2011-11-17 |accessdate=2012-03-30}}</ref> He premiered two singles from the album, "[[You the Boss]]" and "[[I Love My Bitches]]",<ref>{{cite web|author=celebpromoter |url=http://celebpromoter.com/rick-ross-nicki-minaj-just-blaze/ |title=Ricky Ross Premieres 2 New Songs from God Forgives I Don’t |publisher=Celebpromoter.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-30}}</ref> though they were not featured on the official tracklisting. Upon its release, the album charted at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart and number 2 on the UK R&B Albums Chart, making it Ross's highest-charting album and first top 10 album in the United Kingdom. The album debuted at number 1 on the ''Billboard'' 200, with first-week sales of 218,000 copies.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} Ross premiered four songs: "So Sophisticated" featuring [[Meek Mill]], "[[Touch'N You]]" featuring [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]], "Hold Me Back", and "3 Kings" featuring [[Dr. Dre]] and [[Jay-Z]].{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

Rick Ross was nominated by ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'' as its "Man of the Year".<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653228/20101130/ross__rick__rap_.jhtml Rick Ross Named The Source's Man Of The Year]</ref> As of December 2012, he is working on his sixth studio album.<ref>[http://allhiphop.com/2012/12/12/rick-ross-renews-with-diddys-ciroc-vodka/ Rick Ross Renews With Diddy’s Ciroc Vodka | AllHipHop.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> On January 7, 2013, he revealed the title of his sixth album to be ''[[Mastermind (Rick Ross album)|Mastermind]]''. The album is set to be released in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=Horowitz|first=Steven|title=Rick Ross Announces Title Of Sixth Studio Album|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22454/title.rick-ross-announces-title-of-sixth-studio-album|accessdate=7 January 2013|newspaper=HipHopDX|date=7 January 2013}}</ref>

Ross also made a song especially for [[Quentin Tarantino]]'s film [[Django Unchained]], called "100 Black Coffins".

==Personal life==

===Correctional officer photos===
[[File:Ross-cop.jpg|thumb|140px|left|Rick Ross as a correctional officer in 1994.]]

In July 2008, ''[[The Smoking Gun]]'' produced details linking Ross' social security number to an eighteen month stint as a correctional officer at the South Florida Reception Center, along with a photograph first publicized by [[Media Take Out]] purporting to be Ross in his [[Prison officer|correctional officer]] uniform.<ref>{{cite news|title=Despite denials, records show rap star worked as corrections officer|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/screw-rick-ross|date=July 21, 2008}}</ref> Ross initially denied that the photograph was of him;<ref>{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Rick Ross Reaffirms Gangster Past In New Freestyle, Despite Report That He Worked As Prison Guard|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1591284/20080722/ross__rick__rap_.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=July 22, 2008|accessdate=August 5, 2008}}</ref> but after overwhelming evidence of his past came into the public's eye, Ross later admitted that he did work as a correctional officer in Florida during the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite news|last= Burgess|first=Omar|title= Rock Ross Admits Correctional Officer past|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7847/title.rick-ross-admits-correctional-officer-past|publisher=Hip Hop DX|date=October 7, 2008|accessdate=December 6, 2008}}</ref> In a 2008 interview with AllHipHop.com,<ref>[http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2008/08/01/20354914.aspx Freeway Ricky Ross: Name Check – AllHipHop.com]</ref> [[Ricky Ross (drug trafficker)|"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 correctional officer.<ref>[http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0721081rickross1.html Screw Rick Ross – TheSmokingGun.com]</ref>

=== Legal issues ===
[[File:Rick Ross mug shot.jpg|thumb|right|Mugshot of Rick Ross taken in 2008]]
In January 2008, Ross was arrested on gun and marijuana charges. During a deposition of Officer Rey Hernandez, a Miami Beach cop who arrested Ross, 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.<ref>{{cite news|last= |first= |title= Rick Ross' Own Lawyer De-Values|url=http://highbridnation.com/2009/02/10/rick-ross-own-lawyer-de-values-his-gangsta/ |publisher=Highbridnation.com|date=February 10, 2009|accessdate=March 24, 2009}}</ref>

In August 2008, YouTube entertainer [[DJ Vlad]] filed a lawsuit against Ross for assault and battery. 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|title=DJ Vlad Files $4 Million Lawsuit Against Rick Ross Over Alleged Ozone Awards Beatdown|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1592890/20080815/ross__rick__rap_.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=August 15, 2008}}</ref>

On June 18, 2010, "Freeway" Ricky Ross sued Rick Ross for using his name,<ref name="Freeway Rick Ross sues Rick Ross">{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11543/title.freeway-ricky-ross-files-lawsuit-against-rapper-rick-ross|title=Freeway Rick Ross files lawsuit|last=Harling|first=Danielle|accessdate=25 June 2010}}</ref> filing a [[copyright infringement]] [[lawsuit]] in a California Federal Court.<ref name="Freeway Rick Ross sues Rick Ross" /> [[Jay-Z]] had been called to testify in the lawsuit, as he was CEO of Def Jam when Ross/Roberts was signed.<ref name="Freeway Rick Ross sues Rick Ross" /> The reformed drug kingpin was looking for 10 million dollars in the lawsuit.<ref name="Freeway Rick Ross sues Rick Ross" /> Also, the release of his album, ''[[Teflon Don (album)|Teflon Don]]'', was threatened to be blocked by Freeway Ricky Ross. A week after the filing of the lawsuit, Rick Ross responded to the charges: "It’s like owning a restaurant, you’re gonna have a few slip and falls. You get lawsuits, you deal with them, and get them out your way…sometimes you lose."<ref name="Rapper Rick Ross Gets Legal Victory, Replies To $10 Mil Lawsuit">{{cite web|url=http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2010/07/02/22284307.aspx|title=Rapper Rick Ross Gets Legal Victory, Replies To $10 Mil Lawsuit|last=Strong, Bostick|first=Nolan, Octavia|accessdate=12 September 2010}}</ref> He then denied rumors that he would change his name to "Ricky Rozay" as a consequence of the lawsuit. The lawsuit was thrown out of court on July 3, 2010<ref name="Freeway Ricky Ross’ Lawsuit Against Rick Ross Thrown Out">{{cite web|url=http://theurbandaily.com/gossip-news/billjohnson/freeway-ricky-ross-lawsuit-against-rick-ross-thrown-out/|title=Freeway Ricky Ross’ Lawsuit Against Rick Ross Thrown Out|last=Johnson|first=Bill|accessdate=12 September 2010}}</ref> and his album, ''Teflon Don'', was released on July 20 as scheduled.

On March 26, 2011, Ross was arrested in Shreveport for possession of marijuana. According to the police records, a strong odor of marijuana was detected from his room at the Hilton in Downtown Shreveport.<ref>{{cite news |author=Clemons, Tracy |title=Rapper and NFL star separately arrested in Shreveport |url=http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=14326804 |work=ksla.com |date=March 26, 2011
|accessdate=2011-03-27}}</ref>

=== Skipped performance at 2010 Soul Train Music Awards ===
On November 18, 2010 at the [[2010 Soul Train Music Awards]], after rapper [[Eminem]]'s single [[Love the Way You Lie]] featuring [[Rihanna]] was announced the winner of the Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year award, Rick Ross was seen exiting the show, skipping the performance of his song [[Aston Martin Music]] with singer [[Chrisette Michele]] that was scheduled that day. Soon after, Michele addressed the incident on her blog. “Who stands off at an award show because they don’t win?” she wrote. “An award is winning at being as ‘stuck in a category’ as possible. Congratulations to all the trophy holders who won at being the most like every one else…I could have sworn hip hop was on the come up. But apparently rapping is about venting, bashing, chauvinistic pigging, and EGO. Not cool. Don’t LET me start rapping." Later, Ross was interviewed by [[Tim Westwood]] about the incident, but said it had nothing to do with not winning the award. “I came the day before and they gave me a mic for rehearsals, and I had no input on the performance," he said. "We done worked a long time to get in this position not to just get thrown on stage. We had just did our thing at the BET Awards and played a part of that performance down to the pyros on stage. I just want to be part of the production...it wasn’t nothing personal to no one.“<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.12972/title.rick-ross-protests-soul-train-awards-loss-to-eminem|title=Rick Ross Protests Soul Train Awards Loss To Eminem|last=Burgess|first=Omar}}</ref>

=== Seizures ===
On October 14, 2011 Rick Ross suffered two seizures in the same day, once in the morning and once again early evening. Following the morning seizure, he was unconscious and CPR was being performed. He did, however, post a video to his Twitter account later in the day saying that he was OK.{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}} Ross boarded another plane later in the day and suffered another seizure. On October 14, the [[University of Alabama at Birmingham]] Hospital confirmed that Ross had been admitted to the emergency room. [[TMZ.com|TMZ]], who first reported the seizure, updated their story originally posted at 4:45 PST, stating that Ross was in stable condition.{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}}

=== Other legal ===
On February 29, 2012, a body, identified as Gregory Paul Nesbitt, was found outside of Rick Ross' house. Nesbitt had previous arrests for armed robbery, disorderly conduct, marijuana possession, and grand theft auto, according to the [[The Miami Herald|Miami Herald]]. Ross was not considered a suspect though, since he was not home at the time of the shooting. “My understanding is that it's a home that he rents out. He had tenants there,” Sgt. Bill Bamford told the [[Palm Beach Daily News|Daily News]]. “Investigators want to speak with Ross. As would be the course with any similar homicide investigation, you ask the property owner if he knew this gentleman in any way,” Bamford added. “It's not that they believe in any way that he's involved. It's just to get information on who the victim is and why he was there.”<ref>{{cite news|author=Nancy Dillon|title=Body found outside Rick Ross' house in Florida|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/body-found-home-owned-rick-ross-florida-article-1.1030978|work=http://www.nydailynews.com/|date=Wednesday, February 29, 2012}}</ref>

==Feud with 50 Cent==
In January 2009, Ross started a feud with rapper [[50 Cent]] because he supposedly looked at him the wrong way at the [[BET Awards]]. 50 Cent told news sources that he did not remember seeing Ross there.<ref>{{cite news|title= How feud Started Rick Ross and 50 Cent|url=http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2009/01/50_cent_vs_rick_ross_video/|publisher=Vide.com|date=February 7, 2009|accessdate=March 16, 2009}}</ref> In late January, "Mafia Music", by Ross, leaked onto the Internet. There were several lines that seemed to diss 50 Cent. Days later, 50 Cent released "Officer Ricky (Go Head, Try Me)" in response to Ross's disparaging remarks on his "Mafia Music" song.

Before going to [[Venezuela]], 50 Cent uploaded a video entitled "Warning Shot," wherein he stated: "Rick Ross- I'mma fuck your life up for fun." In addition, 50 Cent released the first of a series of "Officer Ricky" cartoons. Early in February, 50 Cent once again made a video which he uploaded to YouTube in which he interviewed "Tia", the mother of one of Ross's children. She verifies that he was a correctional officer and claims his whole persona is fake and fraudulent.<ref>[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/videos/id.2138 HipHopDX.com – 50 Cent – Interviews Rick Ross' Baby Mama]. ''HipHopDX.com''. Accessed February 2, 2008.</ref> On Thursday, February 5, 2009, [[Game (rapper)|Game]], who 50 Cent has a long-standing "beef" with, called up [[Seattle]] R&B station [[KUBE (FM)|KUBE]]. When asked about the beef between 50 Cent and Ross, Game sided with 50 Cent and said that things are not looking good for Ross. He offered to help, stating, "Rick Ross, holla at your boy, man," and, "50 eating you, boy."<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604407/20090205/ross__rick__rap_.jhtml Game Takes Sides In 50 Cent]</ref>
On his album ''[[Deeper Than Rap]]'', Ross references 50 Cent in the song "In Cold Blood". A video for the song was released that portrayed 50 Cent's mock funeral. Upon release, Ross stated that he has ended 50 Cent's career.<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1609554/20090420/ross__rick__rap_.jhtml Rick Ross Buries 50 Cent In 'Cold Blood']</ref> That same day Ross released a new diss track called "Push 'Em Over The Edge". The next day 50 Cent released the controversial video "A Psychic Told Me", dissing [[DJ Khaled]]. On February 12, 50 Cent responded with "Tia Told Me", along with Lloyd Banks' response "Officer Down" and Tony Yayo's "Somebody Snitched".

In an interview, 50 Cent said 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."<ref>[http://www.ballerstatus.com/2009/03/03/50-cent-says-rick-ross-is-gusto-from-cb4-laughs-off-ross-sales-predictions/ 50 Cent Says Rick Ross Is ‘Gusto From CB4′, Laughs Off Ross’ Sales Predictions] BallerStatus.com</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Rick Ross discography}} <!-- Per [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians/Article guidelines]], The discography section of the musician's primary article should "provide a summary of the musician's major works. In most cases this is done using a simple list of their studio albums, leaving a complete listing of releases to the discography article." -->

* ''[[Port of Miami (album)|Port of Miami]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Trilla]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Deeper Than Rap]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Teflon Don (album)|Teflon Don]]'' (2010)
* ''[[God Forgives, I Don't]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Mastermind (Rick Ross album)|Mastermind]]'' (2013)

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Film
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Days of Wrath]]''
| G Dogg
|
|-
| 2013
| ''Liberty City: The American Dream''
| Francois
| Post-production
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Television
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2008-2012
| ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''
| rowspan="4"|Himself
| rowspan="4"|Musical Guest
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]''
|-
| 2009-2010
| ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]''
|-
| 2010-2012
| ''[[Chelsea Lately]]''
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Freaknik: The Musical]]''
| Big Uzi
| Voice; TV Movie
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Magic City (TV series)|Magic City]]''
| Butterball<ref>http://www.imdb.com/news/ni44459002/</ref>
| Season 2
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Rick Ross}}
*[http://rickross.defjam.com Rick Ross Official Def Jam Website]
*{{IMDb name |id=2235445 |name=Rick Ross}}
{{Rick Ross}}
{{Def Jam}}
{{Def Jam South}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=19892474}}

{{Persondata
| NAME = Ross, Rick
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Roberts, William Leonard II
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American rapper
| DATE OF BIRTH = January 28, 1976
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Coahoma County, Mississippi, United States
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ross, Rick}}
[[Category:1976 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:African-American rappers]]
[[Category:Albany State Golden Rams football players]]
[[Category:Def Jam Recordings artists]]
[[Category:People convicted of drug offenses]]
[[Category:People from Coahoma County, Mississippi]]
[[Category:Rappers from Florida]]
[[Category:Rappers from Miami, Florida]]
[[Category:Suave House Records artists]]
[[Category:Pseudonymous rappers]]

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Revision as of 19:00, 28 January 2013

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