Has Rick Ross become 50 Cent?

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

By 2008, it was clear Rick Ross was more than a one hit wonder, but he was on a collision course with 50 Cent. In the months prior, 50 Cent had dissed Lil Wayne and DJ Khaled. His own G-Unit movement was losing its fan base rapidly and the movement led by DJ Khaled was taking over.

DJ Khaled's We The Best movement was not yet a record label, just an assembly of artists. Lil Wayne and Plies were clearly the more popular artists from the group. Rick Ross, at the time, was more of a background figure. However, he had plans of changing the landscape.

The year of 2008 was eventually dominated by Lil Wayne and T.I., but Rick Ross had 2009. 50 Cent was also working on a comeback album and sending more disses towards artists affiliated with DJ Khaled. Early in 2009, Rick Ross released "Mafia Music," which contained a 50 Cent diss, poking fun at his baby mama drama.

The first half of 2009 consisted of Rick Ross and 50 Cent trading disses. 50 Cent, who was having issues with his record label, Interscope Records, boasted of how he would soon take over Def Jam. Once he took over the label, 50 Cent said he would block all moves made by Rick Ross and DJ Khaled. During this period of time, Rick Ross' name was in the headlines every day. Ross used this to his advantage, introducing his group, Triple C's, to the world and his Maybach Music Group.

50 Cent claimed victory in the feud, as did Rick Ross. At the end of the day, Rick Ross won, as his singles gained increasingly more radio play. By 2010, Rick Ross had become the biggest, active rapper in the South, prompting many hip hop publications to ask if Ross had become the "King of the South." One thing was clear, though, Rick Ross was a force to be reckoned with. His summer anthem, "B.M.F.," with Styles P, had taken over urban radio and Ross was on to better things.

Rick Ross promised he would be all over all forms of the media, in 2011, and he has lived up to the promise, with his God Forgives, I Don't album coming right before Christmas 2011. While he does not release diss records, Rick Ross is involved in a beef with Young Jeezy. Rick Ross usually releases a new album every year. Before Rick Ross landed on Def Jam, Young Jeezy did this. Now, Young Jeezy cannot even land a secure release date without something happening.

During a recent interview, Rick Ross was asked if he was behind this and he acted as if he was. When he was feuding with 50 Cent, Rick Ross was against his bullying tactics. During 50 Cent's feud with D-Block, who happened to be his Interscope label-mates, 50 was behind their album delays. Two years after he conquered the giant, has Rick Ross become the monster he set out to destroy?

Read more...

Pill is honored to be on Maybach Music

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In January, Rick Ross went on a signing frenzy, adding artists left and right to Maybach Music. Last fall, Ross boasted of how he may end up signing Wale. During the early days of 2011, Rick Ross made things official and added him to the label. Less than a week later, he also added Pill to the label.

With Rick Ross being one of the hottest rappers in the game and signing some of the hottest underground rappers, many executives began to take notice. Maybach Music had yet to have a solid distributor and many labels wanted to become that. Birdman announced Ross would likely sign with Cash Money.

Aside from Birdman, Jay-Z, Diddy, and Warner Bros. were trying to land a deal for Maybach Music. In the end, Rick Ross decided he wanted to set up shop with Warner Bros. Now that the deal is official, Rick Ross has decided to begin working on new projects. Each of the Maybach Music artists are working on their own solo material and a new Triple C's album is in the works.

Pill opened up about how life with Maybach Music has been treating him. When asked, Pill said he was honored to be a part of the label. His primary reason for signing was because of Rick Ross' music. Pill also admitted he liked the way Rick Ross put the movement together. He remembered listening to Rick Ross and admiring his beats and now he has full access to all of the beats. Because of this, and the prestige, Pill is happy to be a part of Maybach Music.

Read more...

Rick Ross adds Meek Mill to Maybach Music's roster

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Only days after adding Wale to his label, Rick Ross is back to work on more projects. The Miami rapper is currently working on his fifth album, God Forgives, I Don't. While working, Ross is also recruiting new artists for his Maybach Music Group label.

Established in 2008, Rick Ross added his group, Triple Cs, to the label. He also signed each member of the group to individual contracts. Last year, Rick Ross jumped at the chance to sign newcomer, Wiz Khalifa, but he signed with Atlantic Records.

Despite losing out on Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross had an incredible year, which made other labels take notice. With his contract with longtime label, Def Jam, set to expire, record labels are lining up to lure Ross away. He, on the other hand, is looking for more talent.

Recently, Rick Ross added to the growing roster of Maybach Music Group by adding rising Philadelphia talent, Meek Mill, to the label. He missed out on Pittsburgh's Wiz Khalifa, but he will have a Pennsylvania act on the Maybach label. Rick Ross made it clear he does not want his label to focus on any particular geographic location. Instead, he wants all types of talent from all types of places.

Read more...