Rick Ross (born January 28th 1976)
Rick Ross is an American Rapper born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and raised in Carol City, Florida. Best known for his singles Maybach Music and Hustlin', Ross also founded the record label Maybach Music Group in 2009 through which he released a series of albums.
Career: Ross made his debut under the pseudonym Teflon Da Don through Suave House Records, and later changed his name to Rick Ross in the mid-2000s. Ross eventually signed to Slip-n-Slide Records, and released his debut album Port of Miami in 2006. The record reached the top spot of the U.S. Billboard 200 Album chart in the first week, with sales at 187,000 units.
Two years later Ross' next album hit the top end of the Billboard 200 too. Entitled Trilla, the record featured a number of successful artists including R.Kelly, T-Pain and Nelly. One of his tracks provoked particular interest - 'Valley of Death', a song where Ross claims that he had lived on the streets whilst working as a prison guard, consequently raising questions on why he had originally lied about this. Rick Ross' next three albums were equally successful. Teflon Don launched in July 2010 reached number two on the Billboard 200 and God Forgives, I Don't - released July 2012 - charted at number eight on the UK Albums Chart. Mastermind, released in March 2014, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Ross' latest album Hood Billionaire came out in November 2014.
Regarding other achievements, in 2012 MTV named Ross as the Hottest MC in the Game and he was nominated by The Source as its 'Man of the Year'.
Personal life: After graduating from High School, Ross attended Albany State University on a football scholarship, and later went on to work as a correctional officer from 1995 to 1997.
Rick Ross has also been involved in a number of legal issues. 2008 saw Ross arrested on both gun and marijuana charges. In 2010 Ross was sued twice: firstly from former drug Kingpin "freeway" Rick Ross who filed a copyright infringement lawsuit for using his name, and secondly from rapper Teflon Don who filed a trademark infringement lawsuit for using his name as an album title. June 2015 saw Ross and his bodyguard arrested for kidnapping and assault charges. In April 2013 Ross was dropped as a spokesman for Reebok after a petition holding 72,000 signatures was presented to the company on account of one of his songs condoning date rape.
In 2009 a feud was sparked at the BET awards following 50 Cent apparently looking the wrong way at Ross. The rivalry lasted five years and included a number of songs released by both artists for the purpose of insulting each other publically.
Ross and his girlfriend survived a drive-by shooting on January 27th 2013 whilst celebrating his 37th birthday. The two were forced to crash their car into an apartment to avoid the gunfire.
Biography by Contactmusic.com
