Rick Ross

William Leonard Roberts II, known as Rick Ross, was born on January 28, 1976, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and grew up in Carol City, Florida. After graduating from Miami Carol City Senior High School and attending Albany State University on a football scholarship, Roberts served as a correctional officer from 1995 to 1997. He began his music career under the pseudonym Teflon Da Don before adopting the name Rick Ross. His debut single, “Hustlin'” (2006), achieved RIAA platinum certification before the release of his first album, “Port of Miami.” This album, along with “Trilla” (2008) and “Deeper Than Rap” (2009), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Ross founded Maybach Music Group (MMG) in 2008, a record label that has since released multiple albums and signed prominent artists such as Meek Mill and Wale.

Ross continued to achieve significant milestones throughout his career. His fourth album, “Teflon Don” (2010), featured the triple-platinum single “Aston Martin Music.” Subsequent albums, “God Forgives, I Don’t” (2012) and “Mastermind” (2014), also reached the number one spot on the Billboard 200. In less than two years, he released three consecutive full-length studio albums: “Hood Billionaire” (2014), “Mastermind” (2014), and “Black Market” (2015). The latter included collaborations with artists like John Legend, Mariah Carey, and Jay-Z. His album “Port of Miami 2” (2019) included the song “Gold Roses” featuring Drake, which received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Song.

Rick Ross has expanded his career beyond music through various business ventures and brand partnerships. He signed a solo deal with Epic Records in 2016 and released his ninth album, “Rather You Than Me” (2017), which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. He has received nine Grammy Award nominations and was named “Man of the Year” by The Source magazine in 2010 and 2011, and “Hottest MC in the Game” by MTV in 2011. Ross also released ‘Too Good to Be True’ (2023) with Meek Mill, further solidifying his position in the music industry. His business portfolio includes ownership of multiple Wingstop restaurant locations and launching various collections and brands.