William Leonard Roberts II, born January 28, 1976, and known professionally as Rick Ross, is an influential American rapper and record executive. He is known for his booming vocal performance, larger-than-life persona, and vivid lyrical imagery, Ross’s music often transforms the hardships of street life and black market economic activity into a rags-to-riches narrative, emphasizing themes of affluence, wealth, and luxury.
Before releasing his debut single “Hustlin'” in March 2006, Ross was the subject of a bidding war, eventually signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Jay-Z on Def Jam Recordings. His debut studio album, Port of Miami (2006), debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart. Following this, his albums Trilla (2008) and Deeper Than Rap (2009) also achieved significant success. His fourth album, Teflon Don (2010), included the hit single “Aston Martin Music” featuring Drake and Chrisette Michele, which went triple platinum.
Ross’s influence extended beyond his solo career. He founded the record label Maybach Music Group (MMG) in 2008, signing artists such as Meek Mill, Wale, and French Montana. MMG released a series of successful albums, including Self Made Vol. 1 (2011) and Self Made Vol. 2 (2012). Ross’s subsequent albums, God Forgives, I Don’t (2012) and Mastermind (2014), both peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
In addition to his music career, Ross has been involved in various business ventures and collaborations. His fifth album, Hood Billionaire (2014), and his eighth album, Black Market (2015), both received mixed reviews but maintained his presence in the industry. Ross’s 2017 album Rather You Than Me peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and included the single “Florida Boy” featuring T-Pain and Kodak Black.
In 2019, Ross released Port of Miami 2, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. The album included the single “Gold Roses” featuring Drake, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song. In 2020, Ross collaborated with singer August Alsina on the track “Entanglements.”
Despite controversies, such as his comments about female rappers in 2017, Ross has continued to evolve. He apologized for his remarks and continued to focus on his music and business ventures. In 2021, Ross announced his eleventh album, Richer Than I Ever Been, released on December 10, 2021. That same year, his book The Perfect Day to Boss Up debuted at number five on The New York Times bestsellers list.
Rick Ross’s career is marked by significant achievements in both music and business. He has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards and has been named “Man of the Year” by The Source magazine and “Hottest MC in the Game” by MTV. His contribution to hip-hop and his larger-than-life persona continue to make him a formidable presence in the industry.
