Rick Ross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rick Ross
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Ross in 2019
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William Leonard Roberts II
January 28, 1976 Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S.
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| Years active | 2000–present |
| Children | 5 |
| Awards | Full list |
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| Origin | Miami-Dade County, Florida, U.S. |
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William Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), who is known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He is a major figure in modern hip hop music. Ross is known for his deep voice and lyrics that tell stories. His songs often describe going from a difficult life to a life of success and luxury.
Before his first single, "Hustlin'", came out in 2006, many record labels wanted to sign him. He made a deal with Def Jam Recordings, led by Jay-Z at the time. His first album, Port of Miami, went to number one on the Billboard 200 chart. His next two albums, Trilla (2008) and Deeper Than Rap (2009), also reached the top of the charts.
Ross was also the lead member of the hip hop group Triple C's. In 2008, he started his own record label, Maybach Music Group (MMG). He has signed many artists to his label, including Meek Mill, Wale, and French Montana.
Over his career, Ross has released many successful albums and has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards. The hip hop magazine The Source named him "Man of the Year" in 2010 and 2011.
Contents
Early Life
William Leonard Roberts II was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, on January 28, 1976. He grew up in Carol City, Florida. After he graduated from Miami Carol City Senior High School, he went to Albany State University on a football scholarship.
From 1995 to 1997, Roberts worked as a correctional officer.
Music Career
How It All Started
In his early days, Roberts used the stage name Teflon Da Don. He later changed his name to Rick Ross. He got this name from a well-known person named "Freeway" Rick Ross, but they are not related.
He signed with a few record labels before getting his big break with Def Jam in 2006. During this time, he toured with another rapper, Trick Daddy, and appeared on other artists' albums.
2006–2008: First Two Albums
Ross's first album, Port of Miami, was released in August 2006. It was a huge success and started at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It sold 187,000 copies in its first week. One of its popular songs was "Push It," which used a sample from the movie Scarface.
His second album, Trilla, came out in March 2008. Just like his first album, it also debuted at number one. It had hit singles like "The Boss" featuring T-Pain and "Here I Am" featuring Nelly. Because of his success, MTV News named him one of the "Hottest MCs in the Game" in 2008.
2009–2014: Continued Success
In 2009, Ross released his third album, Deeper Than Rap. On this album, he had a song that talked about his past job as a correctional officer. That same year, he appeared on the cover of XXL magazine.
Ross's fourth album, Teflon Don, was released in 2010. It included the hit single "Aston Martin Music". In 2011, Ross signed rappers Wale and Meek Mill to his record label, Maybach Music Group. The label released its first group album, Self Made Vol. 1, that year.
In 2012, Ross released his fifth album, God Forgives, I Don't. It became his fourth album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It featured songs with famous artists like Usher, Dr. Dre, and Jay-Z.
Ross released his sixth album, Mastermind, in March 2014. It also debuted at number one, making it his fifth album to top the charts. Later that year, in November, he released another album called Hood Billionaire.
2015–Present: More Music and Projects
In 2015, Ross released a mixtape called Black Dollar and then his eighth album, Black Market. In 2016, he signed a new record deal with Epic Records.
His ninth album, Rather You Than Me, came out in 2017. It reached number three on the Billboard 200. In 2019, he released Port of Miami 2, a sequel to his first album. It debuted at number two. A song from the album, "Gold Roses" with Drake, was nominated for a Grammy Award.
In December 2021, Ross released his eleventh album, Richer Than I Ever Been. He also wrote a book called The Perfect Day to Boss Up, which became a bestseller. In 2023, he released a collaborative album with Meek Mill called Too Good to Be True.
Personal Life
Family and Health
Ross has five children. He was briefly engaged in 2015.
In 2011, Ross had two seizures in one day. He said it was because he had not been getting enough sleep. In 2018, he was hospitalized for a serious health issue but recovered after a few days.
Ross is a Christian and has said in interviews that his faith is important to him. He often prays before he performs on stage.
Business Projects
Rick Ross is also a businessman. As of 2017, he owned several Wingstop fast-food restaurants. Wingstop is known for its chicken wings.
Discography
Studio albums
- Port of Miami (2006)
- Trilla (2008)
- Deeper Than Rap (2009)
- Teflon Don (2010)
- God Forgives, I Don't (2012)
- Mastermind (2014)
- Hood Billionaire (2014)
- Black Market (2015)
- Rather You Than Me (2017)
- Port of Miami 2 (2019)
- Richer Than I Ever Been (2021)
- Set in Stone (2025)
Collaborative albums
- Custom Cars & Cycles (with Triple C's) (2009)
- Too Good to Be True (with Meek Mill) (2023)
Film and Television Appearances
| Year | Title | Type | Role | Notes |
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| 2008 | Days of Wrath | Film | G Dogg | |
| 2013 | Magic City | Television | Butterball | Season 2 |
| 2016 | Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party | Television | Himself | Season 1 |
| 2017 | Signed | Television | Himself | Season 1 |
| 2018 | Superfly | Film | Racks | |
| 2019 | Step Up: High Water | Television | Himself | Season 2 |
| 2021 | Coming 2 America | Film | Himself | |
| 2022 | All Elite Wrestling | Television | Himself | 1 Episode |
Awards and Nominations
Rick Ross has been nominated for many awards during his career. He has received nine nominations for the Grammy Awards, which are given out each year by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Some of his nominations include:
- Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "I'm on One" (2012)
- Best Rap Album for God Forgives, I Don't (2013)
- Best R&B Song for "New Flame" (2015)
- Best Song Written for Visual Media for "..." (2017)
- Best Rap Song for "Gold Roses" (2020)
- Song of the Year for "God Did" (2023)
See also
In Spanish: Rick Ross para niños
