Rick Ross, also known as William Leonard Roberts II in the realm of R&B and rap, is a well-known American rap artist and record label owner. He has recorded six studio albums to date and is one of the founding members of the renowned Maybach Music Group, alongside Wale, Meek Mill, and French Montana. Ross has been a fan of street music since he was a child, thanks to his upbringing in a poor neighborhood north of Miami. He dropped out of college to pursue his dream of being a great rap musician, but he also became involved in the drug selling business, which he grew up around. Ross worked as a correctional officer for a few years before securing his first record deal, which he has been mocked for in the media due to his background of selling narcotics. His first commercially released single, ‘Hustlin,’ made him a star when it was certified gold, and it was thanks to this success that he was able to secure a record deal with Jay-Def Z’s Records. In his career, he has collaborated with a number of notable rap and R&B musicians, including Ne-Yo, R Kelly, Flo-Rida, Diddy, and others.
Childhood and Adolescence
Ross was born in Mississippi and raised in the impoverished districts of Miami’s north side. Ross has been a fan of street music since he was a child, listening to musicians such as Notorious B.I.G., Luther Campbell, and others.
He was accepted to Albany State University in Georgia on a football scholarship, but after a year, he lost interest in studies and began creating rap rhymes while selling drugs for a living.During the early 1990s, he served as a correctional officer in Florida.
Career of Ross
Ross had the opportunity to sign a deal with Suave House Records at first, but he ultimately chose Slip-n-Slide Records. As a result of this, he was able to tour with Trick Daddy and appear on their records.
Ross’ breakthrough hit single, ‘Hustin’,’ which had the fascinatingly repeating line ‘Everyday I’m Hustling’ throughout the song, was a big hit and certified gold, and he established himself as the hottest new rap artist on the street.
His popularity sparked a bidding war among recording artists. The bid was won by Def Records, which was led by ace rap musician Jay-Z, and Ross was signed to a legendary record deal at the time. Ross’ debut album, ‘Port of Miami,’ debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 in 2006. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America and featured big tunes including ‘Push It,’ ‘Holla at Me,’ and others.
He followed it up with his second album, ‘Trilla,’ which was published in 2008. Ross dedicated it as a dedication to Michael Jackson’s Thriller album, which he idolizes. The album also charted at number one in the United States, according to Billboard.
Ross began to tour more frequently and make public appearances as a result of his newfound notoriety. He began to work with other rappers, writing and performing rap with Jay-Z, R Kelly, Flo-Rida, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, and others.
‘Deeper Than Rap,’ his third studio album, was released in 2009 on his own label Maybach Music Group, but distribution was still handled by Def Recordings. In its first week in the United States, it sold 158,000 copies.
The following year, he released his fourth album, Teflon Don, which had big singles such as “Super High” and “Live Fast, Die Young,” as well as collaborations with musicians such as Ne-Yo, Kanye West, and others.
It reached number two on the charts. In the same year, he worked on an EP with Diddy, with whom he had inked a management deal through his company Ciroc Entertainment. ‘Another One,’ a single from the EP, was released.
Ross released his album ‘God Forgives, I Don’t’ in 2012, which included singles like ‘You the Boss’ and ‘I Love My Bitches.’ It was his highest-charting album, debuting at No. 2 on the UK R&B Album Chart and No. 1 on the Billboard200.
Ross debuted his sixth studio album, ‘Mastermind,’ in 2013, with the single ‘No Games,’ which featured Future. It includes singles such as ‘The Devil Is A Lie,’ ‘War Ready,’ and others.
Major Projects of Ross
Aside from his rapping career and his signature debut hit “Hustlin,” to which the entire globe once grooved, Ross is best known for co-founding Maybach Music Group, which comprises well-known rappers such as Wale, French Montana, and others.
Achievements & Awards
Ross was placed fourth among ten rappers on MTV News’ 2008 ‘Hottest MCs in the Game’ list.
Trivia
Ross and his fiancée were the victims of a drive-by shooting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on his 37th birthday.
Ross was revealed to have previously worked as a prison officer in South Florida by the website ‘The Smoking Gun’ in 2008. In 2011, he had two epileptic seizures on the same day. Ross was arrested in Shreveport in 2011 for marijuana possession.
Ross got into an argument with rapper 50 Cent after claiming that 50 looked at him the wrong way at the 2009 BET Awards. Ross has been on shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live!, David Letterman’s Late Show, Jimmy Fallon’s Late Night, Chelsea Lately, Magic City, and others.
Estimated Net Worth
Rick Ross is an American rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, record executive, producer and CEO who has a net worth of $45 million. During his career to date, Rick has sold millions of albums and tens of millions of singles worldwide.