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The BET Hip Hop Awards are an annual awards show, airing on BET, showcasing hip hop performers, producers and music video directors. The awards ceremony began in 2006, was held on November 12, 2006 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, was first aired November 15 and was hosted by comedian Katt Williams. The second ceremony was held on October 13, 2007. Like the first ceremony, this was also held at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, first aired on October 17 and was also hosted by Katt Williams. The third ceremony premiered on October 23, 2008. This ceremony was not hosted by Katt Williams, but instead was hosted by popular R&B artist T-Pain. The fourth ceremony was held on October 10, 2009 and was hosted by Mike Epps and aired on October 27. The fifth ceremony was held on October 2, 2010 (aired October 12) and was also by Mike Epps.

2006[link]

The 2006 show was hosted by Katt Williams.

Performances[link]

• "Welcome to Atlanta (Remix)" - Jermaine Dupri feat. Ludacris, Young Jeezy & Lil Jon
• "Stuntin' Like My Daddy" - Birdman & Lil Wayne
• "Push It"/"Hustlin'" - Rick Ross
• "That's That" - Snoop Dogg
• "Grew Up a Screw Up" - Ludacris feat. Young Jeezy
• "One Blood"/"Let's Ride" - The Game feat. Junior Reid
• "Top Back (Remix)" - T.I. feat. Young Dro, Big Kuntry King & B.G.
• "I Luv It" - Young Jeezy
• "We Fly High" - Jim Jones feat. Juelz Santana
• "Walk It Out" - Unk

• Cipher 1 - Styles P, Papoose & Lupe Fiasco
• Cypher 2 - Rhymefest, Remy Ma, Sway DaSafo & Saigon with DJ Scratch

Winners[link]

• Hip Hop Video of the Year: T.I. - "What You Know"
• Element Award: Video Director of the Year: Hype Williams
• Hip Hop Track of the Year: Yung Joc featuring & produced by Nitti - "It's Going Down"
• Rookie of the Year: Chamillionaire
• Element Award: Producer of the Year: Jermaine Dupri
• Hip Hop MVP of the Year: T.I.
• Element Award: Lyricist of the Year: Common
• Element Award: Best Hip Hop Dance of the Year: Snap
• Best Hip Hop Movie: ATL - Directed by Chris Robinson
• Best Live Performance: Busta Rhymes
• Best Hip Hop Collabo: "Touch It" (Remix) - Busta Rhymes feat. Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose and DMX
• Hip Hop CD of the Year: T.I.'s King
• Hip Hop Hustler Award: Jay-Z
• Alltel Wireless People's Champ Award: Chamillionaire feat. Krayzie Bone - "Ridin'"
• Best UK Hip Hop Act (BET International): Sway DaSafo
• BET Hot Ringtone Award: Young Dro feat. T.I. - "Shoulder Lean"
• I Am Hip-Hop Icon Award: Nas

2007[link]

The 2007 show was again hosted by Katt Williams

Performances[link]

• "Can't Tell Me Nothing"/"Good Life" - Kanye West
• "Gossip" - Lil Wayne
• "Wadsyaname/Let It Go" - Nelly
• "A Bay Bay" - Hurricane Chris
• "Wipe Me Down (Remix)" - Lil Boosie, Webbie, & Foxx
• "Hurt" - T.I. Busta Rhymes & Alfamega
• "Duffle Bag Boy" - Playaz Circle feat. Lil Wayne & Ludacris
• "Crank That" - Soulja Boy Tell 'Em

• Cypher 1 - Wyclef Jean, Twista, Lil' Mama & Dizzee Rascal
• Cypher 2 - Phonte, Stat Quo & Kardinal Offishall
• Cypher 3 - Ras Kass, Joell Ortiz, Flo & Cassidy

Winners[link]

• Lyricist of the Year: Common
• Video Director of the Year: Hype Williams
• Track of the Year: Shop Boyz - "Party Like a Rockstar"
• CD of the Year: Tie between Common's Finding Forever & T.I.'s T.I. vs. T.I.P.
• Best U.K. Hip-Hop Act: Kano
• Best Live Performance: Kanye West
• Best Ringtone: T.I. - "Big Things Poppin' (Do It)"
• Alltel Wireless People's Champ Award: Birdman & Lil Wayne - "Stuntin' Like My Daddy"
• Best Video: Kanye West - "Stronger"
• Best Dance: Soulja Boy Tell 'Em - "Crank That (Soulja Boy)"
• Best Collaboration: UGK and OutKast - "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)"
• Best Track: Shop Boyz - "Party Like a Rockstar"
• Producer of the Year: Timbaland
• Hustler of the Year: 50 Cent
• Rookie of the Year: Rich Boy
• DJ of the Year: DJ Khaled
• MVP of the Year: Lil Wayne
• Best Movie: Stomp the Yard
• I Am Hip Hop: KRS-One

2008[link]

The 2008 show was hosted by T-Pain

Performances[link]

• "What Up, What's Haapnin'"/"Swing Ya Rag"/"The Last of a Dying Breed"/"On Top of the World" - T.I.. feat.Ludacris, Swizz Beatz & B.o.B.
• "Hero" - Nas featuring Keri Hilson
• "Bust It Baby Pt. 2" - Plies feat Ne-Yo
• "Crazy World" - Young Jeezy
• "Cha Cha Cha" - MC Lyte
• "Play With My Yoyo" - Yo-Yo
• "Afro Puffs" - The Lady of Rage
• "Shoop"/"Push It"/"Whatta Man" - Salt-n-Pepa
• "Here I Am" - Rick Ross feat Nelly & Avery Storm
• "Universal Mind Control"/"Spaz" - Common featuring N.E.R.D
• "Can't Believe It"/"Chopped & Skrewed" - T-Pain feat Lil Wayne & Ludacris
• "Why Me"/"It Was a Good Day" - Ice Cube feat Musiq Soulchild
• "Marco Polo (song)" - Bow Wow feat Soulja Boy

• Cypher 1 - Hurricane Chris, K'naan, Bun B & Q-Tip
• Cypher 2 - Willy Northpole, Hime, Blaq Poet & Cory Gunz
• Cypher 3 - Ace Hood, Juelz Santana, Fabolous & Jadakiss

Winners[link]

• Alltel Wireless People's Champ Award: Lil Wayne - "A Milli"
• Best Hip Hop Collaboration: DJ Khaled feat. Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, and Rick Ross - "I'm So Hood [Remix]"
• MVP of the Year: Lil Wayne
• Lyricist of the Year: Lil Wayne
• Rookie of the Year: Shawty Lo
• I Am Hip-Hop: Russell Simmons
• CD of the Year: Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III"
• Ringtone of the Year: Lil Wayne - "Lollipop"
• DJ of the Year: DJ Khaled
• Best Live Performer: Kanye West
• Best Hip Hop Video: Kanye West - "Good Life"
• Hustler of the Year: Diddy
• Producer of the Year: Akon
• Best Director: Chris Robinson
• Best UK Act: Giggs

2009[link]

The 2009 show was hosted by Mike Epps

Performances[link]

• "Pretty Girls" - Wale feat Gucci Mane
• "I'm Ballin'"/"Gucci Bandana" - Soulja Boy feat Gucci Mane and Shawty Lo
• "Addicted To Money" / "How Low" - Ludacris feat Lil Scrappy
• "Real as It Gets" - Jay-Z feat Young Jeezy
• "Ice Cream Paint Job (Remix)" - Dorrough Ft. Nipsey Hussle, Jim Jones, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em & Snoop Dogg
• "Throw It in the Bag" / "Throw It In The Bag (Remix)" - Fabolous feat The-Dream
• "Gangsta Luv"/"Gin & Juice" - Snoop Dogg feat The-Dream
• "Break Up"/"Wasted" - Gucci Mane feat Mario & Plies
• "Cell Therapy"/"Get Rich to This" - Goodie Mob

• Cypher 1 - Nicki Minaj, Buckshot, Crown Royyal & Joe Budden
• Cypher 2 - Wale, Nipsey Hussle, Gsan & KRS-One
• Cypher 3 - Mos Def, Black Thought & Eminem

Winners[link]

• Verizon People's Champ Award: Fabolous - "Throw It in the Bag"
• Best Hip Hop Collaboration: T.I. Feat. Rihanna - "Live Your Life"
• MVP of the Year: Jay-Z
• Lyricist of the Year: Jay-Z
• Rookie of the Year: Drake
• Track of the Year: Young Money - "Every Girl"
• CD of the Year: T.I.'s "Paper Trail"
• Made-You-Look Award: Kanye West
• I Am Hip-Hop: Ice Cube
• DJ of the Year: DJ AM
• Best Live Performer: Jay-Z
• Best Hip Hop Video: T.I. Feat. Rihanna - "Live Your Life"
• Hustler of the Year: Jay-Z
• Producer of the Year: Kanye West
• Video Director of the Year: Hype Williams
• Best Hip Hop Blog Site: Allhiphop.com

2010[link]

The 2010 show were hosted by Mike Epps. DJ Khaled was the host DJ and DJ Premier DJed the ciphers. [1][2][3]

[edit] Performances ^[1]

• Internet Exclusive Cypher 1 - Reema Major, Nick Javas & Laws
• Internet Exclusive Cypher 2 - Vado, Farnsworth Bentley & Reychesta

• "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)"/"MC Hammer" - Rick Ross with Diddy and DJ Khaled
• "Too Legit to Quit" - MC Hammer
• "Speakers Going Hammer"/"Pretty Boy Swag" - Soulja Boy
• "Hard in da Paint"/"No Hands" - Waka Flocka Flame feat. Roscoe Dash
• "Bed Intruder Song" - Antoine Dodson & Michael Gregory of The Gregory Brothers
• "Gucci Time" - Gucci Mane feat. Swizz Beatz
• "You Aint No DJ" - Big Boi feat. Yelawolf
• "Who Dat"/"Blow Up" - J. Cole
• "Salute" - Dipset
• "Don't Let Me Fall" - B.o.B
• "Teach Me How to Dougie" - Cali Swag District
• "The Humpty Dance"/"I Get Around" - Shock G & Money-B of Digital Underground

• Cypher 1 - Raekwon, Yelawolf, Wiz Khalifa & Bones Brigante
• Cypher 2 - Tyga, Kuniva, Royce Da 5'9 & Diamond
• Cypher 3 - Rev Run with his sons Diggy & Jo-Jo; and Ice Cube with his sons Doughboy & OMG
• Cypher 4 - Busta Rhymes, Mickey Factz, Reek Da Villain, & Zawcain
• Cypher 5 - Kanye West, Common, Pusha T, CyHi Da Prynce & Big Sean of G.O.O.D. Music
• Cypher 6 (Ghana Cypher) - D-Black, Sarkodie, Edem, Tinny, Baby-G, Kwaku-T, & Reggie Rockstone

[edit] Winners ^[2]

• MVP of the Year: Drake
• Hustler of the Year: Sean Combs
• Best Hip Hop Video: Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys - "Empire State of Mind"
• Rookie of the Year: Nicki Minaj
• Made-You-Look Style Award: Nicki Minaj
• Reese's Perfect Combo Award: Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys - "Empire State of Mind"
• Track of the Year: Lex Luger for Rick Ross' "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)"
• Best Live Performer: Jay-Z
• Verizon People's Champ Award: Nicki Minaj - "Your Love"
• I Am Hip-Hop Award: Salt-N-Pepa
• DJ of the Year: DJ Khaled
• Best Hip-Hop Blog Site: WorldstarHipHop.com
• Producer of the Year: Swizz Beatz
• Video Director of the Year: Hype Williams
• Lyricist of the Year: Eminem
• Best Club Banger: Lex Luger for Rick Ross' "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)"
• CD of the Year: Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3

2011[link]

The 2011 show were hosted by Mike Epps.DJ Premier DJed the ciphers. [4][5][6]

[edit] Performances ^[3]

• Internet Exclusive Cypher 1 - Gilbere Forte, Chris Sutton, XV & Jay Rock
• Internet Exclusive Cypher 2 - Rico Staxx, Wais P, Termanology, Sean Cross, French Montana & Mike Epps

• Cypher 1 - Big K.R.I.T., Tech N9ne, Machine Gun Kelly, Kendrick Lamar, & B.o.B
• Cypher 2 - Reek Da Villain, 2 Chainz, Busta Rhymes, & Ludacris
• Cypher 3 - Lady Of Rage, Blind Fury, Dom Kennedy, & Skillz
• Cypher 4 - Wale, Pill, Stalley, Meek Mill & Rick Ross of Maybach Music Group
• Cypher 5 - Chris Brown, Ace Hood, Kevin McCall, & Tyga^[4]
• Cypher 6 - Soprano, Lecrae, Nitty Scott MC, & Estelle
• Cypher 7 - Eminem, Yelawolf, & Slaughterhouse (Royce da 5'9", Joe Budden, Crooked I, & Joell Ortiz) of Shady Records^[4]

[edit] Winners ^[5]

• Best Hip Hop Video: "Look at Me Now" - Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes

• Reese’s Perfect Combo Award - (Best Collaboration): "Look at Me Now" - Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes:

• Best Live Performer: Lil Wayne

• Lyricist of the Year: Lil Wayne

• Video Director of the Year: Hype Williams

• Producer of the Year: Lex Luger

• MVP of the Year: Nicki Minaj

• Track of the Year: "Black and Yellow" by Wiz Khalifa - Produced by Stargate

• CD of the Year: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West

• DJ of the Year: DJ Khaled

• Rookie of the Year: Wiz Khalifa

• Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip Hop Style): Nicki Minaj

• Best Hip Hop Online Site: WorldStarHipHop.com

• Best Club Banger: "No Hands" - Waka Flocka Flame featuring Wale and Roscoe Dash - (Produced by Drumma Boy)

• Best Mixtape: J. Cole - Friday Night Lights

• Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse: Busta Rhymes - "Look at Me Now" (with Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne)

• Hustler of the Year: Jay-Z

• Verizon People’s Champ Award - Viewers’ Choice: "Look at Me Now" - Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official BET website

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth^[1] (born June 17, 1987), simply known as Kendrick Lamar, is an American rapper and songwriter from Compton, California currently signed to Top Dawg, Aftermath and Interscope. He first gained major attention after the release of his 2010 mixtape Overly Dedicated. In 2011, his album Section.80, released exclusively through iTunes, instantly ranked as one of the top digital hip hop releases of the year.^[2] Lamar has amassed a large internet following, is a member of hip hop collective Black Hippy, along with Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul, and has worked with Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Wiz Khalifa, Game, Drake, Busta Rhymes and Tech N9ne among other popular artists.^[3]

Biography[link]

1987-2009: Early life and career beginnings[link]

Kendrick Lamar was born in Compton, California, a community southeast of Los Angeles city limits, to parents from Chicago, Illinois.^[4] At the age of eight, in 1995, Lamar witnessed his idols, Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre film the music video for their hit single "California Love," a very significant moment in Lamar's life.^[5] In 2003 at the young age of sixteen, Lamar released his first mixtape, Youngest Head Nigga In Charge under the name K. Dot.^[6] The mixtape was able to garner enough attention for Lamar to get a record deal with Top Dawg Entertainment, a Los Angeles-based independent record label.^[6] He then released a twenty-six track mixtape two years later titled Training Day.^[7] More recognition came Lamar's way after a video of a Charles Hamilton show surfaced, where Hamilton goes in the crowd and battles rappers at attendance. Lamar didn't hesitate and began rapping a verse over Milkbone's "Keep It Real", that would later appear on a track titled "West Coast Wu-Tang".^[5] In 2008 Lamar made a cameo appearance on Jay Rock's "All My Life (In the Ghetto)" music video. After receiving a co-sign from Lil Wayne, he released his third mixtape in 2009 titled C4, heavily themed around Tha Carter III LP.^[8] Soon after, he decided to drop his stage name K. Dot and go by his real name. This resulted in him releasing a self-titled EP; the Kendrick Lamar EP in late 2009.^[9]

[edit] 2010–2011: Overly Dedicated and Section.80

Kendrick performing at a concert in Toronto, Canada

In 2010 he toured with Tech N9ne and Jay Rock on The Independent Grind tour.^[6] On September 23, 2010 he released O(verly) D(edicated) a highly acclaimed mixtape that included a song titled "Ignorance is Bliss" in which he glorifies gangsta rap and street crime but ends each verse with "ignorance is bliss" giving the message "we know not what we do".^[10][11] It was that song specifically that made hip hop producer Dr. Dre want to work with Lamar.^[12] This led to him working with Dre and Snoop Dogg on Dre's Detox album and him considering signing to Aftermath Entertainment.^[6][13] In January 2011 Lamar said his debut album was 90% finished.^[6]

In early 2011 Lamar was featured on XXL Magazine's 2011 Freshman cover along with CyHi the Prynce, Meek Mill, Mac Miller, Yelawolf, Lil B, Big K.R.I.T. and Diggy Simmons among others.^[14] On July 2, 2011, Lamar released his third solo project Section.80 to critical acclaim. It features guest appearances from GLC, Colin Munroe, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and includes production from longtime collaborator Sounwave, Wyldfyer, Terrace Martin, J. Cole and more. On the topic of whether Section.80 would be an album or a mixtape Lamar said "I treat every project like it’s an album anyway. It’s not gonna be nothing leftover. I never do nothing like that. These are my leftover songs y’all can have ‘em, nah. I’m gonna put my best out. My best effort. I’m tryna look for an album in 2012". The first single for Section.80 was the J. Cole produced track "HiiiPower", of which the concept was to further explain the HiiiPower movement. Section.80 went on to sell over 10,000 copies in its first week^[15] without any television or radio coverage and received many very positive reviews. In the second half of 2011, Lamar appeared on Game's The R.E.D. Album, Tech N9ne's All 6's and 7's, 9th Wonder's The Wonder Years and Drake's Take Care.

In August 2011, while onstage with Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Game, at the West Los Angeles concert, the three of them crowned him the "New King of the West Coast"^[16]

[edit] 2012–present: Good Kid in a Mad City

On February 15, 2012, a song titled "Cartoons & Cereal" featuring Gunplay of Triple C's was leaked.^[17] Lamar revealed later that the track was for his upcoming album and he was planning to shoot a video for it.^[18]

In March 2012, MTV announced that Top Dawg Entertainment, the independent record label Lamar is signed to, have closed a joint venture deal with Interscope Records and Aftermath Entertainment, marking the end of his career as an independent artist. Under the new deal, Kendrick Lamar’s projects, including his upcoming debut studio album Good Kid in a Mad City will be jointly released via Top Dawg, Aftermath and Interscope, while releases from the rest of Black Hippy will be distributed via Top Dawg and Interscope.^[19]

Lamar premiered "The Recipe", his debut single and the lead single from Good Kid in a Mad City, at Power 106 on April 2, 2012. The track was released for digital download the following day. The song was produced by Scoop DeVille and features Dr. Dre.^{[citation needed]}

It was announced on May 14, 2012, that Lamar is working on a collaborative album with J. Cole. In an interview with Bootleg Kev, Cole stated that "I just started working with Kendrick the other day. We got it in, finally, again. We got maybe four or five [songs] together."

Personal life[link]

In high school, Centennial in Compton, Lamar was a good student.^[4] Lamar said that he has seen relatives who have died in his dreams for years. Tupac Shakur is also his favorite rapper, and influences not only his music, but his day-to-day lifestyle as well. In terms of subject matter, Kendrick Lamar has often been compared to Tupac Shakur. ^[6][20][21] He revealed that his favorite and most influential rappers are Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Jay-Z and his label-mate Eminem.

Discography[link]

• Section.80 (2011)
• Good Kid in a Mad City (2012)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Kendrick Lamar on Twitter
• kedricklamar.com Official Site

William Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), better known by his stage name Rick Ross (often stylized as RICK RO$$), is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection. Ross founded the record label Maybach Music Group, on which he released his studio albums Deeper Than Rap and Teflon Don, Ross was also the first artist signed to Diddy's management company Ciroc Entertainment. In early 2012, MTV named Ross as the Hottest MC In The Game.^[3]

Early life[link]

William Leonard Roberts II was born in Coahoma County, Mississippi.^[1] and raised in Carol City, Florida, near Miami.^[2] After graduating from Carol City Senior High School, he later attended the historically black college Albany State University on a football scholarship.^[4]

Music career[link]

After being signed to Suave House Records, former label for rap duo 8Ball & MJG, he eventually signed a deal with Slip-n-Slide Records, which has been under the Def Jam umbrella since 2006. While signed to Slip-n-Slide, Ross toured with fellow rapper Trick Daddy and made guest performances on other Slip-n-Slide albums.^[2]

[edit] Port of Miami (2006)

His debut album Port of Miami was released in August 2006 and debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200 album chart, with sales at 187,000 units after its first week.^[5][6] Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone magazine predicted that it would be "the summer's biggest rap record".^[7] The second single was "Push It", which samples "Scarface (Push It to the Limit)", the theme song off the gangster film Scarface.^[8] The music video for "Push It" was modeled after the film.^[9] During that time, Ross made guest performances on two singles from DJ Khaled's debut Listennn... the Album: "Born-N-Raised" and "Holla at Me". Port of Miami received Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America on November 8, 2006.

[edit] Trilla (2008)

In March 2008, his second album Trilla was released and, as its predecessor Port of Miami had, debuted at the top of the Billboard 200.^[10] Its lead single "Speedin'" featuring R. Kelly peaked at #121 on the Billboard Hot 100; the next one, "The Boss" featuring T-Pain peaked at #17 on the Hot 100. The third single "Here I Am" featured Nelly and Avery Storm.^[11] MTV News ranked Ross on the fourth spot in its 2008 "Hottest MCs In The Game" list among ten rappers.^[12] The fourth single "This Is The Life" featured Trey Songz and was released in July.

[edit] Deeper Than Rap (2009)

"I look at the game and the business and all different aspects, it's a lot of great lyricists on the corner that will never properly understand the business and know how to market themselves and get in a position where they can gain capital. I look at all the strategies people use and what made them successful. What made Birdman just as relevant today after selling 50 million records? That intrigues me. To see the class of Jay-Z, his accomplishments and see how he sits backs and accurately makes his moves."^[13]

A track from the album called "Valley of Death" was what stood out to MTV reporters. In the song, Ross speaks briefly on his controversial stint as a prison guard. "Keep it trilla, nigga, never had a gun and badge," which he stresses, leaving the word that he was indeed an officer of the law. "Kept a nice watch, smoking on a hundred sack/ Back in the day I sold crack for some nice kicks/ Skippin' school, I saw my friend stabbed with an ice pick/ Can't criticize niggas trying to get jobs/ Better get smart, young brother, live yours." Later, he implies that while he was working as a corrections officer, he was on the streets. "Only lived once and I got two kids/ And for me to feed them, I'll get two gigs," he raps. "I'll shovel shit, I'll C.O./ So we can bow our heads and pray over the meatloaf." Although, he still provided no explanation for lying about being a C.O. to begin with, nor did he explain why he failed to pay child support for his children.^[14][15]

The cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL magazine, titled "Rick Ross Up in Smoke", featured Ross wearing a pair of Louis Vuitton sunglasses. After publication, a spokesperson for the luxury-goods maker contacted XXL to inform them that Ross was sporting fake sunglasses in the cover image.^[16] It was later revealed that the rapper was wearing authentic Louis Vuitton sunglasses which were altered by Jacob Bernstein, known as "The Sunglass Pimp". Bernstein defended his customizations despite Louis Vuitton's insistence that such modification and resale of trademarked property is not legal.^[17]

[edit] Teflon Don and other works (2010)

Rick Ross released his fourth studio album entitled Teflon Don, which was released on July 6, 2010. The lead is "Super High" featuring Ne-Yo. Actress Stacey Dash made an appearance in the music video. A second official single was released titled "Live Fast, Die Young" which features and is produced by Kanye West. The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 selling 176,000 copies in its first week.

In November 2010, rapper and frequent collabourator, Diddy, who in 2009 signed Ross to a management deal with his Ciroc Entertainment, announced from his YouTube account, that him and Ross are working on an EP together, which is going to be released in 2011.^{[dated info]} A single has been released for the project, called "Another One".^[18]

[edit] God Forgives, I Don't (2011 - present)

Rick Ross had also announced the release of his next album, "God Forgives, I Don't", for December 13, 2011, however it was confirmed on November 17, 2011 it has been pushed back for release in 2012.^[19][20]

Rick Ross premiered two songs from his new album "God Forgives, I Don't", titled "You The Boss" and "I Love My Bitches".^[21]

Along with his music projects, Rick Ross was nominated by The Source as its "Man of the Year".^[22]

Rick Ross performed at BET Awards 2011, which aired on June 26, 2011.^[23] He also received a nomination for Best Male Hip Hop Artist.^[24] In early 2012, Ross was named the Hottest MC In The Game.^[3]

Personal life[link]

Correctional officer photos[link]

In July 2008, The Smoking Gun produced details linking Ross' social security number to an eighteen month stint as a correctional officer at the South Florida Reception Center, along with a photograph purporting to be Ross in his correctional officer uniform.^[25] Ross initially denied that the photograph was of him;^[26] after overwhelming evidence of his past came into the public's eye, Ross later admitted that he did work as a correctional officer in Florida during the early 1990s.^[27] In a 2008 interview with AllHipHop.com,^[28] "Freeway" Ricky Ross, claimed offense that Roberts used his name and identity when he learned that The Smoking Gun posted documents revealing Roberts' previous employment as a Florida correctional officer.^[29]

Legal issues[link]

Mugshot of Rick Ross taken in 2008.

In January 2008, Ross was arrested on gun and marijuana charges. During a deposition of Officer Rey Hernandez, a Miami Beach cop who arrested Ross, Ross's lawyer, Allan Zamren, asked Hernandez why Ross’s case was assigned to the gang task force. The officer stated that it was because Ross claimed affiliation with Carol City Cartel and other known gang members. Zamren then pressed Hernandez for a personal link between Ross and the gang members, but ultimately one could not be established.^[30]

In August 2008, YouTube entertainer DJ Vlad filed a lawsuit against Ross for assault and battery. Vlad claimed Ross organized an ambush on him at the 2008 Ozone Awards in Houston, Texas for asking questions about his past as a correctional officer.^[31]

On June 18, 2010, Freeway Ricky Ross sued Rick Ross for using his name,^[32] filing a copyright infringement lawsuit in a California Federal Court.^[32] Jay-Z had been called to testify in the lawsuit, as he was CEO of Def Jam when Ross/Roberts was signed.^[32] The reformed drug kingpin was looking for 10 million dollars in the lawsuit.^[32] Also, the release of his album, Teflon Don, was threatened to be blocked by Freeway Ricky Ross. A week after the filing of the lawsuit, Rick Ross responded to the charges: "It’s like owning a restaurant, you’re gonna have a few slip and falls. You get lawsuits, you deal with them, and get them out your way…sometimes you lose."^[33] He then denied rumors that he would change his name to "Ricky Rozay" as a consequence of the lawsuit. The lawsuit was thrown out of court on July 3, 2010^[34] and his album, Teflon Don, was released on July 20 as scheduled.

On March 26, 2011, Ross was arrested in Shreveport for possession of marijuana. According to the police records, a strong odor of marijuana was detected from his room at the Hilton in Downtown Shreveport.^[35]

Religion[link]

Rick Ross is a Christian,^[36] and in an interview with Corey "Coco Brother" Condrey on Lift Every Voice, he indicated that "I had told myself at one point no matter what I go through, I never question God."^[37] In addition, Ross indicated that he prays every time he goes on stage to perform.^[38]

Seizures[link]

On October 14, 2011 Rick Ross suffered two seizures in the same day, once in the morning and once again early evening. Following the morning seizure, he was unconscious and CPR was being performed. He did, however, post a video to his Twitter account later in the day saying that he was OK.^{[citation needed]} Ross boarded another plane later in the day and suffered another seizure. On October 14, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital confirmed that Ross had been admitted to the emergency room. TMZ, who first reported the seizure, updated their story originally posted at 4:45 PST, stating that Ross was in stable condition.^{[citation needed]}

Feud with 50 Cent[link]

In January 2009, Ross started a feud with rapper 50 Cent because he supposedly looked at him the wrong way at the BET Awards. 50 Cent told news sources that he did not remember seeing Ross there.^[39] In late January, "Mafia Music", by Ross, leaked onto the Internet. There were several lines that seemed to diss 50 Cent. Days later, 50 Cent released "Officer Ricky (Go Head, Try Me)" in response to Ross's disparaging remarks on his "Mafia Music" song.

Before going to Venezuela, 50 Cent uploaded a video entitled "Warning Shot," wherein he stated: "Rick Ross- I'mma fuck your life up for fun." In addition, 50 Cent released the first of a series of "Officer Ricky" cartoons. Early in February, 50 Cent once again made a video which he uploaded to YouTube in which he interviewed "Tia", the mother of one of Ross's children. She verifies that he was a correctional officer and claims his whole persona is fake and fraudulent.^[40] On Thursday, February 5, 2009, Game, who 50 Cent has a long-standing "beef" with, called up Seattle R&B station KUBE. When asked about the beef between 50 Cent and Ross, Game sided with 50 Cent and said that things are not looking good for Ross. He offered to help, stating, "Rick Ross, holla at your boy, man," and, "50 eating you, boy."^[41] On his album Deeper Than Rap, Ross references 50 Cent in the song "In Cold Blood". A video for the song was released that portrayed 50 Cent's mock funeral. Upon release, Ross stated that he has ended 50 Cent's career.^[42] That same day Ross released a new diss track called "Push 'Em Over The Edge". The next day 50 Cent released the controversial video "A Psychic Told Me", dissing DJ Khaled. On February 12, 50 Cent responded with "Tia Told Me", along with Lloyd Banks' response "Officer Down" and Tony Yayo's "Somebody Snitched".

In an interview, 50 Cent said Ross is "Albert From CB4. You ever seen the movie? He's Albert," he added. "It never gets worse than this. You get a guy that was a correctional officer come out and base his entire career on writing material from a drug dealer's perspective."^[43]

Discography[link]

Solo albums[link]

• 2006: Port of Miami
• 2008: Trilla
• 2009: Deeper Than Rap
• 2010: Teflon Don
• 2012: God Forgives, I Don't ^[20]

Maybach Music Group Albums[link]

• 2011: Self Made Vol. 1 (with Maybach Music Group)
• 2012: Self Made Vol. 2 (with Maybach Music Group)^[44]

Collaboration albums[link]

• 2009: Custom Cars & Cycles (with Triple C's)
• TBA: Bugatti Boyz (with Diddy)^[45][46]

Compilation albums[link]

• 2007: Rise to Power

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rick Ross

• Rick Ross Official Def Jam Website
• Rick Ross at the Internet Movie Database