Early life and career beginnings
William Leonard Roberts II was born in Coahoma County, Mississippi,[5] and raised inCarol City, Florida, near Miami, Florida.[6] After graduating from Miami Carol City Senior High School, he later attended the historically black college Albany State University on a football scholarship.[7] He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Rick Ross, to whom he has no connection. Ross worked as a correctional officer for 18 months between December 1995 until his resignation in June 1997.
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
2006–08: 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 US Billboard 200 album chart, with sales at 187,000 units after its first week.[8][9] Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone magazine predicted that it would be "the summer's biggest rap record".[10] The second single was "Push It", which samples "Scarface (Push It to the Limit)", the theme song from the gangster film Scarface.[11] The music video for "Push It" was modeled after the film.[12] 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.
.jpg)
In March 2008, his second album Trilla was released and, as its predecessor Port of Miami had, debuted at the top of the Billboard200.[13] Its lead single "Speedin'" featuring R. Kelly peaked at number 21 on the US 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.[14]MTV News ranked Ross on the fourth spot in its 2008 "Hottest MCs In The Game" list among ten rappers.[15] The fourth single "This Is The Life" featured Trey Songz and was released in July.2009–10: Deeper Than Rap and Teflon Don
Main articles: Deeper Than Rap and Teflon Don (album)
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.[16]
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.[17][18]
The cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL magazine, titled "Rick Ross Up in Smoke", featured Ross wearing a pair of Louis Vuittonsunglasses. After publication, a spokesperson for the luxury-goods maker contacted XXL to inform them that Ross was sporting fake sunglasses in the cover image.[19] 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.[20]
Rick Ross released his fourth studio album entitled Teflon Don, which was released on July 6, 2010. The lead single 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 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 him and Ross are working on an EP together, which is going to be released in 2011.[dated info] A single has been released for the project, called "Another One"
