William Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), known professionally as Rick

Ross, is an American rapper and record executive.[1]

Prior to releasing his debut single, "Hustlin'", in 2006, Ross was the subject of a
bidding war, receiving offers from Diddy's Bad Boy Entertainment and Irv Gotti's
Murder Inc., until signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Jay-Z on Def Jam
Recordings.[2][3] Ross released his debut album Port of Miami through the label
later that year, debuting at the top spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart,
with sales of 187,000 units during the first week.[4][5] Ross released his second
studio album, Trilla in 2008, once again debuting atop the Billboard 200.[6]

Outside of his solo career, Ross was a lead member of the hip hop group Triple C's,
alongside fellow Florida rappers Gunplay and Torch in 2005. Ross founded the record
label Maybach Music Group in 2009, on which he released his studio albums Deeper
Than Rap (2009), Teflon Don (2010), God Forgives, I Don't (2012), Mastermind, Hood
Billionaire (2014), Black Market (2015), and Rather You Than Me (2017). His tenth
album, Port of Miami 2 was released in August 2019 and peaked at number 2 on the
Billboard 200 charts. Prominent industry acts have also been signed to Rick Ross
through the Maybach Music label, including Meek Mill, Wale, and French Montana,
among others. In early 2012, MTV named Ross as the Hottest MC in the Game.[7]

Contents
1 Early life
2 Career
2.1 Career beginnings
2.2 2006–2008: Port of Miami and Trilla
2.3 2009: Deeper Than Rap
2.4 2010–2013: Prime Rick Ross
2.5 2014: Mastermind and Hood Billionaire
2.6 2015–present: Renzel and Epic Records
2.7 2021: Richer Than I Ever Been
3 Personal life
3.1 Religion
3.2 Correctional officer photos
3.3 Seizures
3.4 Drive-by shooting
3.5 2018 hospitalization
3.6 Family
4 Legal issues
5 Business ventures
6 Controversy
6.1 Feud with 50 Cent
6.2 Lyric controversy
6.3 Comment on female rappers
7 Discography
8 Filmography
9 Awards and nominations
9.1 Bet Awards
9.2 Grammy Awards
9.3 The Source
10 References
11 External links
Early life
William Leonard Roberts II was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi,[8][9] and raised in
Carol City, Florida.[10] After graduating from Miami Carol City Senior High School,
he attended the historically black college Albany State University on a football
scholarship.[11] Roberts worked as a correctional officer for 18 months from
December 1995, until his resignation in June 1997.[12]
Career
Career beginnings
In his early years at Suave House Records, Roberts initially made his debut under
the pseudonym Teflon Da Don. He made his recording debut on the song "Ain't Shhh to
Discuss" on Erick Sermon's lone album for DreamWorks, Def Squad Presents Erick
Onasis.[13] In the mid-2000s, he changed his name to Rick Ross. He derived his
stage name from the former drug kingpin "Freeway" Rick Ross, to whom he has no
connection.[14]

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 label since 2006. While signed to Slip-n-Slide, Roberts toured with fellow
rapper Trick Daddy and made guest performances on other Slip-n-Slide albums.[10]

2006–2008: Port of Miami and Trilla

Main articles: Port of Miami (album) and Trilla
His debut album Port of Miami was released in August 2006 and debuted at the top
spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart, with sales at 187,000 units during the
first week.[4][5] Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone magazine predicted that it would
be "the summer's biggest rap record".[15] The second single was "Push It", which
samples "Scarface (Push It to the Limit)", the theme song from the gangster film
Scarface.[16] The music video for "Push It" was modeled after the film.[17] 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.[6] Its lead single "Speedin'"
featuring R. Kelly peaked at number 21 on the U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100
Singles; the next one, "The Boss" featuring T-Pain peaked at number 17 on the Hot
100. The third single "Here I Am" featured Nelly and Avery Storm.[18] MTV News
ranked Ross on the fourth spot in its 2008 "Hottest MCs in the Game" list among ten
rappers.[19] The fourth single "This Is The Life" featured Trey Songz and was
released in July.

2009: Deeper Than Rap

Main article: Deeper Than Rap
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.[20]

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." 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.[21]
[22]

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.[23] 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.[24]

2010–2013: Prime Rick Ross

Ross had a number of accomplishments in 2010. In May, he released the critically
acclaimed Albert Anastasia EP. In addition to that, he released his fourth studio
album entitled Teflon Don, on July 20, 2010. The lead single was "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 number two on the Billboard 200
selling 176,000 copies in its first week.

In November 2010, rapper and frequent collaborator, Diddy, who in 2009 signed Ross
to a management deal with his Ciroc Entertainment, announced from his YouTube
account, that he and Ross are working on an EP together. A single was released for
the project, called "Another One".[25] Ross ended 2010 by releasing another
mixtape, Ashes To Ashes on Christmas Eve 2010.

Rick Ross performing in 2011.

In early 2011, Rick Ross signed Wale and Meek Mill to his Maybach Music Group
imprint. The group released their debut compilation album, Self Made Vol. 1 in May.
Rick Ross performed at BET Awards 2011, which aired on June 26, 2011.[26] He also
received a nomination for Best Male Hip Hop Artist.[27] In early 2012, Ross was
named the Hottest MC in the Game.[7]

Big things were happening for Ross's successful career in 2012 as well. He started
the year by premiering his Rich Forever mixtape to universal acclaim. Ross's MMG
camp released their second compilation, Self Made Vol. 2 in June 2012. Less than a
month later, Ross's fifth studio album, God Forgives, I Don't, was released on July
31, 2012, after a few delays.[28][29] Upon its release, the album charted at number
eight on the UK Albums Chart and number two 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 one on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 218,000
copies.[30] Ross premiered four songs: "So Sophisticated" featuring Meek Mill,
"Touch'N You" featuring Usher, "Hold Me Back", and "3 Kings" featuring Dr. Dre and
Jay-Z. The album was certified gold in less than two months. To celebrate his
accomplishment and promote his upcoming MMG Tour, Ross released a mixtape, The
Black Bar Mitzvah in October. Rick Ross was nominated by The Source as its "Man of
the Year".[31]

On January 7, 2013, Ross revealed the title of his sixth album to be Mastermind.
The album was set to be released in 2013.[32] The first promotional single from the
album would come in the form of "Box Chevy" which was released to iTunes on
February 15, 2013.[33][34][35] The music video was filmed on April 1, 2013, and
features cameos from MMG members Gunplay, Stalley and Rockie Fresh.[36]

During 2008, it was announced that Ross was set to release a collaboration album
with his longtime friend Birdman titled The H, but after that, no information on
the album was released.[37] On May 16, 2013, Birdman and Rick Ross announced that
The H would be released as a mixtape hosted by DJ Khaled on May 23, 2013. The
project was recorded during a couple of days in 2008.[38]

On September 5, 2013, Ross premiered the first official single from Mastermind, "No
Games" featuring Future produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League.[39] The following day,
it was released to Urban contemporary radio.[40] It was followed by the singles
"The Devil Is A Lie" with Jay-Z and "War Ready" with Jeezy.

2014: Mastermind and Hood Billionaire

Rick Ross released his sixth studio album, Mastermind, in March 2014, the album
received generally positive reviews from critics and debuted at number one on the
Billboard 200 chart with first week sales of 179,000 copies.[41] As of April 8,
2014, the album has sold over 290,000 copies in the United States.[42] In June
2014, it was announced that Ross would make a guest appearance on the docu-series
Sisterhood of Hip Hop.[43]

In October 2014, Ross announced he would be releasing another album, Hood

Billionaire, in order to make up for Meek Mill's Dreams Worth More Than Money album
being shelved due to his incarceration.[44] Rick Ross revealed cover art for Hood
Billionaire in October 2014 and announced the release date to be set for November
24, 2014.[45][46] The album received mixed reviews, from fans and critics alike.
[citation needed]

2015–present: Renzel and Epic Records

Ross had a mix of both adversity and accomplishments in 2015. Ross was arrested for
kidnapping and assault charges and was sentenced to house arrest in his Georgia
home. Ross joined the Snapchat platform and began referring to himself as "Renzel",
a play on the name of famous actor Denzel Washington. In September, Ross released a
mixtape, Black Dollar, his third full-length release since March 2014. He soon
announced his eighth studio album, Black Market, for a December 2015 release. To
promote his upcoming release, Ross released a remix tape, Renzel Remixes on
Thanksgiving 2015. Black Market was released on December 4, 2015, and it served as
Ross's final album for his original contract with Def Jam. The album's song "Free
Enterprise" stirred up controversy because the lyrics included the line
"Assassinate Trump like I'm Zimmerman" referring to Donald Trump.[47]

In January 2016 after much speculation, Rick Ross signed a solo deal with Epic
Records, reuniting him with L.A. Reid, who originally played a major role in
signing Ross to Def Jam.[48]

On February 21, 2016, Rick Ross remixed Kanye West's "Famous".[49] Ross was active
in 2016, releasing many songs including "Make It Work" off of Self Made Vol. 4,
"Purple Lamborghini" of Suicide Squad: The Album, "Supa Cindy", and "Freaky Hoe".

He announced that his ninth studio album, Rather You Than Me, was slated for a
March 2017 release. The album debuted and peaked number three on the Billboard 200.
[50] On February 2, 2018, Rick Ross released "Florida Boy" with T-Pain and Kodak
Black as the first single from the album, which was slated for a 2018 release. On
June 22, 2018, Ross released "Green Gucci Suit" with Future as the second single
from his tenth studio album Port of Miami 2, released on August 9, 2019. The album
debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.[51] The album also included the single
"Gold Roses" with Drake, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song
at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.[52] On July 19, 2020, Ross teamed up with singer
August Alsina for a track titled "Entanglements", a diss track towards Alsina's ex-
lover Jada Pinkett Smith.[53] On August 7, 2020, Ross released the single "Pinned
to the Cross", featuring Finn Matthews, following his Verzuz battle with 2 Chainz.
[54]

2021: Richer Than I Ever Been

On August 26, 2020, during an interview with Hot 97, Rick Ross announced his
eleventh album, Richer Than I Ever Been, which was released on December 10, 2021.
[55]

On September 7, 2021, Ross' book The Perfect Day to Boss Up debuted at number 5 on
The New York Times' weekly bestsellers list.[56]

Personal life
Religion
Rick Ross is a Christian,[57] and in an interview with Corey "Coco Brother" Condrey
on Lift Every Voice, he indicated that "I had told myself at one point no matter
what I go through, I never question God."[58] In addition, Ross indicated that he
prays every time he goes on stage to perform.[59]

Correctional officer photos

In July 2008, The Smoking Gun produced details linking Ross's social security
number to an 18-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 correctional officer uniform.[12] Ross initially
denied that the photograph was of him,[60] 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 for 18 months between 1995 and 1997.[61] In a 2008
interview with AllHipHop.com,[62] "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.[63]

Seizures
On October 14, 2011, Ross suffered two seizures in the same day, once in the
morning and again in the early evening. Following the morning seizure, he was
unconscious and CPR was performed.[64] After suffering the second seizure, Ross was
admitted to a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, where doctors ran a battery of
tests. They declared him healthy. Ross attributes the episodes to a lack of sleep
in the previous week.[65]

Ross later noted the incident in the remix of Meek Mill's song "Ima Boss", with the
line "Had a couple seizures, call it minor setbacks / Everybody praying for me, I
respect that / Woke up in the hospital, where my checks at? / Then I put 8 chains
where my neck's at".[66]

Drive-by shooting
On January 27, 2013, while celebrating his 37th birthday, Ross and his girlfriend
were the targets of a drive-by shooting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Neither Ross
nor his girlfriend were hurt, but they ended up crashing their car into an
apartment in an attempt to escape the shooting.[67]

2018 hospitalization
On March 2, 2018, Ross was hospitalized after being found unresponsive in his
Miami, Florida, home from a possible heart attack.[68] Ross was on life support.
[69] He was released from hospital just a few days later.[70]

Family
Ross has four children: Toie Roberts, William Roberts III, Berkeley Hermes Roberts,
and Billion Leonard Roberts.[71][72]

Ross was briefly engaged to Lira "Galore" Mercer in 2015.[73]

Legal issues

Mug shot of Ross, 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 Triple
C's (aka Carol City Cartel), and other known gang members. Zamren pressed Hernandez
for a personal link between Ross and the gang members, but the officer did not
provide proof.[74]

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.[75]

In June 2010 "Freeway" Ricky Ross sued Ross for using his name,[76] filing a
copyright infringement lawsuit in a California federal court.[76] Jay-Z had been
called to testify in the lawsuit, as he was CEO of Def Jam when Ross/Roberts was
signed.[76] "Freeway" Ricky Ross, a reformed drug kingpin, sought $10 million in
damages in his lawsuit.[76] Also, Freeway Ricky Ross threatened to block the
release of Ross's album, Teflon Don.

A week after the lawsuit was filed, 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."[77] He 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.[78][79] The album
Teflon Don was released as scheduled on July 20, 2010.

A federal judge ruled that the case should be refiled in California state court
because it fell under California state law. "Freeway" Ricky Ross refiled the case
with the State of California and the federal case is on appeal in the United States
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.[80] The state case was filed in 2011 in
California.

"Freeway" Ricky Ross refiled in Los Angeles Superior Court with publicity rights
claims. Trial was set for early May 2012. The case was dismissed by a judge in the
Los Angeles Superior Court.[81]

The California State case was updated with a motion in Freeway Rick Ross's favor as
to Warner Bros. Records and their use of the name and image Rick Ross in July 2012.
[82]

The New York Post reported that a trial was set for August 27, 2013, in Freeway
Rick Ross versus Rick Ross and Warner Music Group.[83]

On December 30, 2013, the court ruled in favor of the rapper Rick Ross, allowing
him to keep the name based on a First Amendment ruling.[84]

In 2011, the rapper Teflon Don filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Ross
for the use of the name as an album title.[85][86]

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.[87] Ross was arrested on June 27, 2014,
in Greensboro, N.C., following his performance at the 2014 SuperJam at the
Greensboro Coliseum. The arrest stemmed from a year-old warrant for another North
Carolina arrest related to marijuana possession; Ross reportedly failed to appear
in court for that violation in 2013.[88]

On June 24, 2015, Rick Ross and his bodyguard were arrested in Fayette County,
Georgia on kidnapping and assault charges. Both were accused for forcing a lands
keeper into a guesthouse and beating him in the head with a handgun, allegedly over
money he owed Ross.[89][90][91] On April 4, 2017, Ross pled no contest to a felony
count of aggravated assault. The other felony charges were dropped. Ross was
sentenced to time served in jail, having already been incarcerated for a week and
was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

Ross was sentenced as a first time felony offender; and upon payment of the fine
the conviction was erased from his record. Ross pled no contest to 5 misdemeanours;
of assault, battery, two counts of pointing a pistol at someone, and possession of
less than 1 oz of cannabis. For the five misdemeanours he was given a total of 60
months probation.[92]

Business ventures
As of 2017, Ross owned several different Wingstop restaurant locations.[93][94]
Wingstop is a fast food chain, specializing in chicken wings.[95]

Controversy
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 Hip Hop Awards in 2008. 50 Cent told news
sources that he did not remember seeing Ross there.[96] 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.[97] On
February 5, 2009, The Game, who 50 Cent has a long-standing "beef" with, called up
Seattle R&B station 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 R