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Rick Ross's Biography in Summary

Rick Ross is a rapper and entrepreneur who was the first artist signed to P. Diddy's Ciroc Entertainment. Despite his legal troubles and infamous rivalry with 50 Cent, Ross is a respected and prolific artist. He founded his own music label, Maybach Music Group, in 2009.

Who Is Rick Ross?

Rick Ross is a rapper and label boss from Mississippi who has received Grammy nominations but also had his background called into question. He's had his fair share of legal tussles, as well as the obligatory rap beef (with 50 Cent). He remains a prolific artist, both as a solo performer and as a guest, and his Maybach Music Group has put out albums by artists including Wale, Meek Mill, French Montana and Teedra Moses. While a controversial figure, Ross is held in high esteem within the music industry, signing deals with P. Diddy and earning praise from Pharrell.

The Creation of Rick Ross

Ross was born William Leonard Roberts II in Coahoma County, Mississippi, on January 28, 1976. Raised in Carol City, Florida — an impoverished area of north of Miami — Ross gravitated to the music of street-oriented rappers like Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G., Luther Campbell and Ice Cube. Although he attended Georgia's Albany State University on a football scholarship for a year, Ross started writing rap lyrics that romanticized drug dealing, an act that he saw as a child.

He took his performing name from stories he heard of a drug trafficker named "Freeway" Rick Ross. Ironically, Ross worked as a corrections officer in Florida for almost two years (something he initially denied when it was revealed, but later accepted), but the lure of hip-hop music and the lavish lifestyle of the drug dealers he saw throughout his youth led him in another direction. 

Before adopting the Rick Ross persona, he’d made his debut on former EPMD member Erick Sermon’s 2000 compilation Def Squad Presents Erick Sermon, appearing as Tephlon on a track called "Ain’t Shhh to Discuss." He was eventually signed to an independent Southern rap label, Suave House Records, whose acts also included the popular underground duo 8Ball & MJG. Ross later moved to the Miami-based record label Slip-N-Slide, which released music by hip-hop favorites like Trick Daddy — whom Ross would later tour with — and female rapper Trina.

While he appeared as a guest on several labelmates’ projects, his only solo release would be the promo-only single "Just Chillin'" in 2003. The CEO of Slip-N-Slide, Ted Lucas, would later praise Ross’ solo breakthrough, which happened after he left the label: “I never doubted him musically and lyrically. Ross is an incredible rapper.”

'Hustlin’' Heats Up, Def Jam Records Deal

The first proper single from Ross, "Hustlin'," became a smash hit, due to the hypnotic line, "every day I'm hustling," repeated throughout. The single was eventually certified gold, an impressive feat for a brand-new recording artist. It sparked a bidding war with Def Jam Records, headed by Jay Z, winning the battle and signing Ross to a highly publicized record deal. The song’s official remix had verses from Young Jeezy and Jay Z, while an unofficial version also included Lil Wayne, TI and Busta Rhymes.

Ross debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart with his 2006 debut, Port of Miami. His sophomore album in 2008, Trilla – named after Michael Jackson’s Thriller, combined with the Southern slang term "trill" – also debuted at No. 1. Following his success, Ross began to tour extensively and to collaborate with popular acts including R. Kelly, Flo Rida, Nelly and T-Pain. His third album, Deeper Than Rap (2009), reinforced his success, with The New York Times praising it as “unexpectedly fantastic, by far his best. Few rap albums have sounded this assured, this sumptuous, in years.”

Maybach Music Group, 'God Forgives' Nominated for Grammy

In the same year, Ross launched Maybach Music Group (MMG). The label would achieve great success, releasing albums by Meek Mill, Wale and Omarion. Appearances by Ross and his signings on other artists' tracks would almost always be accompanied by a "Maybach Music" drop — a vocal tagline by the supermodel Jessica Gomes.

(1962–)

Running a label didn’t appear to slow down Ross’ personal output. Teflon Don in 2010 was followed by the MMG compilation Self Made Vol. 1 a year later, and then by God Forgives, I Don’t in 2012. During this time he worked with Kanye West, Gucci Mane, CeeLo Green, Drake, Dr. Dre and Andre 3000. 

God Forgives was nominated for a best-album Grammy in 2013, and he followed with Mastermind and Hood Billionaire, both in 2014, but reviews were mixed and sales only modest — perhaps a sign that he was releasing too much music too quickly, diluting the quality. Album No. 8, Black Market, came out at the close of 2015. His ninth, Rather You Than Me, dropped in 2017.

In August 2019, Ross unveiled his 10th studio album, Port of Miami 2, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

Corrections Officer Past Exposed, 50 Cent Feud

As Ross' notoriety grew, thanks to his lyrics about drug dealing and hustling, his past career in law enforcement began to interest the public, too. It was an intriguing contradiction that first came to light in 2008, when a website known as The Smoking Gun exposed Ross as having previously worked as a corrections officer in South Florida. Although this raised doubts about Ross' street credibility, the rapper brushed them aside. 

He has had other issues to deal with, including facing charges for weapons, drugs, kidnapping and assault. He spent a large part of 2015 under house arrest. The original “Freeway” Ricky Ross attempted to sue Ross for using his name in 2010, but it was thrown out of court.

Then there was a feud with fellow rapper 50 Cent, which began in 2008. By the following year, Fiddy had taken to calling Ross "Officer Ricky" as the two rappers dissed each other over a series of records. The beef turned uglier still when Fiddy released a sex tape featuring Lastonia Leviston, the mother of one of Rick Ross’ children. The eventual court case, which Leviston would win, would be partly responsible for 50 Cent’s bankruptcy.

He is currently dating Hamisa Mobeto from Tanzania

Personal and Health Scares

Having grown up in Miami, Ross is said to be a fan of the 1980s television cop show Miami Vice. Two of his trademarks that are often attributed to the influence of the show are his large, dark sunglasses and his slow, raspy vocal delivery. 

The father of four children, Ross endured a health scare in 2011 when he suffered multiple seizures on two separate flights on the same day. In March 2018, TMZ reported that the rapper had been hospitalized and hooked up to life support upon being found unresponsive at his home, before earning his discharge a few days later. However, his family disputed that account of events, suggesting that Ross's condition wasn't as bad as initially believed.

Book

After 10 studio albums, the Grammy-nominated rapper became a published author with the September 2019 release of Hurricanes: A Memoir. The autobiography delved into Ross' upbringing and career on both sides of the law, as well as the headline-grabbing moments like the seizures that nearly killed him in 2011 and the attempt on his life via drive-by shooting in 2013.

William Leonard Roberts II, popularly known as Rick Ross in the world of R&B and rap, is a famous American rap artist and record label owner. He has successfully released six studio albums until now and is the founder of the famous Maybach Music Group, along with other founding members like, Wale, Meek Mill and French Montana. Ross was into street music since a very young age, courtesy growing up in an impoverished area of north of Miami. He dropped out of college to pursue his dream of becoming a famous rap artist but he also got himself involved with the drug dealing business—the kind of culture he grew up in. Before signing his first record deal, Ross was a correctional officer for a few years—a thing that he has been ridiculed for many times in the media owing to his history of selling drugs. His very first single that released commercially was ‘Hustlin’’, which made him into a star as it was certified gold and it was because of this success that he got an opportunity to sign a record deal with Jay-Z’s Def Records. He has worked with various other rap and R&B artists in his career like, Ne-Yo, R Kelly, Flo-Rida, Diddy, etc.

Also Known As: William Leonard Roberts II

Age: 46 Years, 46 Year Old Males

Family:

Father: Tommie Roberts

Children: Toie Roberts, William Roberts III

Quotes By Rick Ross Rappers

Height: 5'11" (180 cm), 5'11" Males

U.S. State: Mississippi

More Facts

Childhood & Early Life

Ross was born in Mississippi and was brought up in the poverty stricken areas of north of Miami. Ross was attracted to street music since he was young and used to listen to artists like Notorious B.I.G., Luther Campbell, etc.

He got admission in Georgia’s Albany State University through a football scholarship but within a year he lost interest in the academics and started concentrating on writing rap lyrics while earning money from selling drugs.

He worked as a correctional officer in Florida during the early 1990s.

Career

Ross first got the opportunity to sign a deal with Suave House Records but eventually he signed the recording deal with Slip-n-Slide Records. Through this he got the opportunity to tour with Trick Daddy and feature on their albums.

Ross’ debut hit single ‘Hustin’’, which had a fascinatingly repetitive line ‘Everyday I’m Hustling’ throughout the song, became a smash hit and was certified gold and Ross became the hot new rap artist on the block.

His success struck a bidding war between various recording artists. Def Records, which was headed by the ace rap artist Jay-Z, won the bid and signed Ross to a famous record deal of that time.

Ross’ debut album ‘Port of Miami’ in 2006 peaked on the top position on the US Billboard 200. It received gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America and had smash hits like, ‘Push It’, ‘Holla at Me’, etc.

He followed it up with ‘Trilla’—his second album that released in 2008. Ross dedicated it as a tribute to his idol Michael Jackson’s album ‘Thriller’. The album also peaked at number 1 position at the US Billboard Charts.

With his newly found success, Ross started to tour more often and made public appearances. He started to collaborate with other rap artists and wrote and performed rap with Jay-Z, R Kelly, Flo-Rida, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, etc.

His third studio album ‘Deeper Than Rap’ released in 2009 on his own label Maybach Music Group but the distribution was still under Def Recordings. It sold 158,000 copies in its first week in the US alone.

In the following year, he released his fourth album ‘Teflon Don’, which featured hit singles like ‘Super High’, ‘Live Fast, Die Young’ and collaborated with artists like Ne-Yo, Kanye West, etc. It peaked at No. 2 on the charts.

In the same year, he collaborated with Diddy, with whom he signed a management deal with his venture Ciroc Entertainment, on an EP that they were working together on. They released a single from the EP—‘Another One’.

In 2012, Ross released ‘God Forgives, I Don’t’; the album featured singles like ‘You the Boss’, ‘I Love My Bitches’. It debuted at No. 2 on the UK R&B Album Chart and No.1 on the Billboard200--his highest-charting album.

Ross released his sixth studio album ‘Mastermind’ in 2013 by first releasing the single ‘No Games’ featuring artist Future. It features singles like—‘The Devil Is A Lie’, ‘War Ready’, etc.

Quotes: Will

Major Works

Besides his rapping career and his trademark debut single ‘Hustlin’’, to which the whole world once grooved, Ross is best known for being the founding member of Maybach Music Group, which includes well-known rappers, such as Wale, French Montana, etc.

Awards & Achievements

MTV News ranked Ross on the fourth spot in its 2008 ‘Hottest MCs in the Game’ list among ten rappers.

Personal Life & Legacy

Ross is in a relationship with Shateria Morange-EL.

Trivia

On his 37th birthday, Ross and his girlfriend were the targets of a drive-by shooting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In 2008, ‘The Smoking Gun’ website exposed Ross for having previously worked as a corrections officer in South Florida.

In 2011, he suffered from two seizures in the same day.

Ross was arrested in Shreveport for possession of marijuana in 2011.

Ross started a dispute with rapper 50 Cent because according to him Cent looked at him the wrong way at the BET Awards in 2009.

Ross has appeared on television shows like, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Chelsea Lately, Magic City, etc.