Rick Ross

January 28, 2025

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

William Leonard Roberts II was born on January 28, 1976. He started his hip-hop career in the early 2000s. He derived his stage name Rick Ross from the name of a former drug kingpin named Freeway Rick Ross. His debut single ‘Hustlin’’ (2006) brought him into the limelight. Over the next decade, Ross became one of the most successful rappers. Many fans of rap music prefer his slower style of rapping. Before music, Ross had a short stint as a correctional officer. The rapper has made outstanding contributions to the rap genre of music. We’ll celebrate him here.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

William Leonard Roberts II

Nickname:

Rozay, Da Boss

Birth date:

January 28, 1976

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Aquarius

Height:

6' 0"

Relationship Status:

Single

Net Worth:

$45 million

Background

Rick Ross was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. An African American, his zodiac sign is Aquarius. Ross, also known as Rozay, played football in high school, which got him into Albany State University on a scholarship. He didn’t complete his degree at Albany. After leaving school, Ross joined law enforcement, serving as a correctional officer from 1995 to 1997. Ross’s first recording was on Erick Sermon’s album “Def Squad Presents Erick Onasis” (2000). There Erick featured Ross on ‘Ain’t Shhh to Discuss.’ At the time, Ross still went by his former name.

In 2006, Ross dropped his debut single ‘Hustlin;’ it was an instant hit. The song propelled him to the limelight. The success even caused record labels to enter a bidding war over him.
Eventually, he signed with the Jay-Z-led Def Jam recordings. Ross’s debut album “Port of Miami” (2006) was an instant success. In the first week of release, he sold 187,000 album copies. It was a fantastic feat for a new rapper. Ross followed up with “Trilla” (2008). In 2009, Ross started his music label Maybach Music Group, and he released the album “Deeper than Rap” under his new label.

The Maybach Music business was a success. Apart from releasing multiple albums, Ross also signed several other successful artists like Meek Mill and Wale. Outside of music, Ross does different kinds of business. For example, he owns many Wingstop franchises, and he has written two “New York Times” bestseller books. Ross’s music career promotes luxury, hard work, and smart work. However, the rapper battled with multiple seizures in 2018. The attacks were attributed to a lack of rest. The rapper has since worked on resting and sleeping more.

Career timeline

2000

Ross Appears On an Eric Clapton Album

Here, Rick Ross appears on a song under his former stage name, Teflon Da Don.

2006

He Drops his First Album

After releasing his successful first single, Ross drops "Port of Miami” his first album, in the same year.

2009

Ross Drops his Third Album

Hailed by “The New York Times” as 'unexpectedly fantastic,' Ross's third album, “Deeper Than Rap,” cements his place as a successful rapper.

2009

He Launches his Own Music Label

Ross launches Maybach Music Group.

2019

He Launches his Book

“Hurricanes: A Memoir,” Ross's first book, gets published.

Why We Love Rick Ross

He has useful advice
Rick Ross has built his brand around independence. He encourages people to take on things they can do to improve their lives.
He gives back to his community
Rick Ross Charities, Miami, was set up by Ross. The charity tries to help the poor and defenseless.
He advocates financial responsibility
Ross owns many businesses. He asks people to follow his lead and use money responsibly.

5 Surprising Facts

Ross changed his stage name
Ross's former stage name was Teflon Da Don.
He was a Florida correctional officer
For many years, Ross hid the fact that he used to be a correctional officer.
He feuds with 50 Cent
Ross took offense at the way 50 Cent looked at him at a 2008 event, and the pair fought for more than 10 years.
He’s a huge Wingstop fan
Ross loves Wingstop so much that he owns many Wingstop outlets.
He acts in movies
Ross was featured in the movie titled “Days of Wrath.”