Artist Spotlight: Rick Ross
(…also a hint for CD Giveaway Tuesday!)
Taking his name from the drug trafficker, Rick Ross is The Boss of Miamihip hop. After allegedly giving up drug trafficking for the rapgame, Ross debuted at #1 with Port of Miami, driven by the single “Hustlin’” (and the remix with Jay Z and Young Jeezy). The ringtone for “Hustlin’” made Ross the first platinum selling ringtone artist. Other artists featured on the album were Lil Wayne, R&B superstarAkon, Lloyd, Lyfe Jennings, and Mario Winans. He kept his big boss status when he dropped Trilla in 2008, his second #1 album debut, beating out competition from Snoop Dogg and Fat Joe. Several artists were featured on Trilla, including Lil Wayne, T-Pain,DJ Khaled, and Trey Songz. Singles included “Speedin’” (with R. Kelly), “The Boss” (with T-Pain), and “Here I Am” (with Nelly and Avery Storm). In 2009, Ross released Deeper Than Rap, again featuring several rap, R&B, andpop superstars like Lil Wayne, Kanye West,John Legend, Robin Thicke, Nas, The Dream,Trina, and Ne-Yo. This album was heavily driven by Ross’ feud with 50 Cent, started after 50 supposedly looked at Ross the wrong way at an awards show. The Game, who has had a long standing feud with 50, offered to assist Ross in his beef with 50.
