My Ricky Williams Blog

Miami / Carol City rap artist Rick Ross, born William Leonard Roberts II on January 28th, 1976 took on his name from the "Freeway" Ricky Ross who was a drug trafficker on the other side of the country. Ross started in the music industry as a ghost-writer for many famous Hip-Hop artist. For 12 years under Ted Lucas of Slip-n-Slide Records, Ross received little if any spotlight. Ross dropped several independently produced mixtapes, but it wasn't until he dropped the major hit record "Hustlin" produced by J.R. Rotem that got him the recognition he so desperately deserved. E-Class of Poe Boy records got DJ Khaled of WEDR 99 Jamz to play the "Hustlin" record on the radio and soon everyone outside Miami took notice of what the local people into the music scene already knew. Rick Ross was caught in a bidding war between the music industry's major record labels, but ultimately signed with Jay-Z and Def Jam Records.

Since then Ross has released the studio albums "Port of Miami", "Trilla", "Deeper Than Rap", and "Teflon Don". He also released a collaboration album "Custom Cars & Cycles" with Triple C (Torch, Gunplay, and Young Breed) who are signed to Ross' label Maybach Music Group. Ross has extended his reach and developed Maybach Music Latino that features Latin rap artist BaRock (U.B.) Urbano, Destinee the Boss Lady, and Uncle Sam's Favorite Nephew Da Whammer.

In early 2009 Rick Ross sparked a feud with 50 Cent that turned into one of Hip-Hop's biggest and most personal Rap Beefs ever. Supposedly, 50 Cent had given Ross a weird look at a Hip-Hop award show. Quickly, Ross leaked the song "Mafia Music" mentioning the mother of 50 Cent's child and how child-support wasn't being paid. The remarks weren't taken lightly by 50 Cent and he replied with his own record "Officer Ricky". Ross arrogantly told 50 Cent he had 72 hours to come back with a better record. This infuriated 50 Cent and it escalated to what has never been seen in a Rap Battle. 50 Cent did his hysterical shenanigans on wax, but he also made animated cartoons drawn of Rick Ross. Where he takes it too far is when he pulled court documents, placed pictures of Ross' mother on the Internet, took trips to outside Ross' home, took Rick Ross' baby mother on shopping trips and even placed her in a pornographic film. All this was in attempt to destroy Ross' career and life. Fortunately for Rick Ross, none of this mattered to the music lovers that supported good music.

In 2008, Ross was ranked the fourth spot of "Hottest MCs in The Game" list by MTV. Rick Ross continues to make great music and his latest song "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)" featuring Styles P of the LOX is as big as his first hit record, proving that after five years Ross still knows how to please the contemporary Rap music listener.

Fillup Banks manages a Miami Music website which mainly showcases independent artists. He has followed Rick Ross' career since it's early stages and now distributes Rick Ross ringtones.