Despite Rick Ross saying that he "Ain't never no checks getting cut" in response to gang threats via YouTube, it does appear that a drive-by shooting on Monday (28th Jan) has got him scared. In response to the perceived threat, according to TMZ, he's stepped his security up. A lot.

He is now looking to employ a full time armed security guard, to protect himself. For a while he has used armed guards to escort him through major public events such as concerts and special public appearances, but that clearly wasn't enough and now he feels he needs it night and day, 24/7.

Although he has been receiving threats for a while in gang related YouTube videos as well as from a man who claims to be the 'original' Rick Ross - accusing the other Rick Ross of stealing his name and identity - he hadn't yet taken any of them seriously. But when a car pulls up to your Rolls Royce and opens fire, even the boldest of us may crumble.

Pals in the industry have let Ross know of their concern, including Pusha T who told MTV that he spoke to Ross: "I don't wanna hear about that with anybody. I definitely hit him up like, 'Yo just let me know you're okay.'"

A criminal investigation is under way in relation to the shooting.