Rick Ross talks Maybach Music expansion and "God Forgives, I Don't" title

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Last year, Rick Ross made a play at Wiz Khalifa, but eventually he signed with Atlantic Records. Defeated, Rick Ross used this as motivation and added several new talents to his Maybach Music label. Among the 2011 talent signed to the label is Atlanta rapper, Pill, and DJ Scream.

While Rick Ross has signed many artists, many have questioned why. Signing an abundant amount of artists can sometimes be a bad thing. Rick Ross said the first thing he looks at is the work ethic of the artist. Many have credited Ross for having one of the best work ethics in the game.

Rick Ross promised all the new Maybach Music artists have a strong work ethic. Wale, who previously was signed with Interscope Records, has been steadily working hard. Rick Ross has a distribution deal established with Warner Bros. Records and Maybach Music will be releasing a number of new albums before the end of this year.

Among the new Maybach Music releases will be God Forgives, I Don't. Early this year, Rick Ross announced his new album, saying it would be out before the end of this year. Not much news has been released about the album, but everyone around Ross has hailed it as a classic. Rick Ross, himself, said he has been number two in the rap game for a while. However, after he releases this album, he will be the number one rapper in the game.

Speaking on the title of the album, Rick Ross said the title is fitting. While the title represents his real feelings, the God Forgives, I Don't album does not have a release date.

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DJ Scream signs with Maybach Music

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

When Rick Ross proclaimed Maybach Music would be the next Young Money, he was not playing around. For years, Lil Wayne had been the top gun and Young Money was more of a project. His label had a big year, in 2009, when Drake and Nicki Minaj were signed, and they had a monster year in 2010.

After failing to land Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross proceeded to finish the year of 2010 as one of the biggest artists. While recording new music, early in 2011, he began signing new artists to Maybach Music. The signing of Wale proved how big his label was going to become. He followed this with Pill and Meek Mill.

Earlier this year, Warner Bros. Records agreed to become the home of Maybach Music. They helped him distribute the Maybach Music album and build the empire. Rick Ross was far from down, however, still looking for more talent. Yesterday, DJ Scream announced he was the latest Maybach Music signee and he promised to deliver.

Speaking on his deal with Maybach Music, DJ Scream said he fits right in the the Maybach family. Ross said this is one of the moves he is most proud of.

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Wale prepares his Maybach Music debut

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Two years ago, many predicted Wale would be the future of hip hop. His lyrical level had him as hyped as Drake and J. Cole. The right people soon discovered Wale. Jay-Z quickly signed Wale to a management deal with Roc Nation.

The Washington, DC rapper would eventually sign with powerhouse, Interscope Records. Through Interscope, he would release his debut album, Attention Deficit. The album was met with positive reviews.

For most of 2010, Wale has been making mixtapes and making more connections. Towards the end of 2010, Rick Ross said he may sign Wale to his Maybach Music label. Ross is known for making bold statements, so not much was made of the statement.

While most forgot about Rick Ross' statement, not many people knew Wale was actually discussing signing with Maybach Music. Early in 2011, news broke of Wale signing with the label. Only weeks later, a bidding war began over Maybach Music. In the end, Rick Ross signed an exclusive distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records, a label needing more hip hop talent.

Now, with the deal in place, Wale has been recording with his new label-mates. Wale is currently working on his second album, debut with Maybach Music. Industry insiders say the album will likely be released sometime this fall. No release date has been confirmed by the representatives of Maybach Music or the well-established, Warner Bros. Records.

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Rick Ross trying to reach Mogul Status

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Having spent most of his career around Diddy and Jay-Z, Rick Ross is now living up to his debut hit, "Hustlin'." Rick Ross went from being another rapper to the focal point in a matter of months. Realizing what beef has done for rappers like 50 Cent, Ross started and finished a beef with 50 in order to boost his career.

Upon dethroning 50 Cent, Rick Ross branched out and focused on his own projects. Like most rappers, Ross has his own independent record label. The first artist signed to the label was his group, The Triple C's. Ross released their first album through Def Jam and it was a complete flop.

Rick Ross shifted the focus back to his solo career and he had a successful year in 2010 with Teflon Don. Ross used his album to re-launch his Maybach Music label. On the relaunch, Rick Ross added several artists, within weeks of each other, to the label. Along the way, Ross also became a part of a bidding war, eventually shunning his peers to work directly with Warner Bros. Records.

With the new deal intact, Rick Ross is trying to finish his contract with Def Jam. Once he is done there, Ross will likely join his Maybach Music roster and focus on the next phase in his career. Rick Ross is determined to be included in the Hip Hop Cash Kings list. For 2011 headed into 2012, Rick Ross plans on being involved in film projects and possible clothing line ventures. The future seems very bright for Rick Ross and the Maybach Music camp.

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Rick Ross lands All-Star lineup for "Self Made" album

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

On his past few albums, Rick Ross has been loading up on the big-name guest appearances. Now a big name, himself, Ross is able to land more features on his albums. Ross and his Maybach team recently completed their Warner Bros. debut, Self Made.

Much like 2010's Teflon Don, the new album is filled with big-name guest appearances. J. Cole, Diddy, Drake, Jeremih, and Curren$y, along with many others are featured on the album. For two years, Rick Ross has been rising in the game.

Late in 2009, Rick Ross and Diddy began hanging out on a social level. By late 2010, the two said they were close as brothers. The boss has also built a strong relationship with Drake. Drake was featured on his last album and also on his "Made Men" single.

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Rick Ross signs Maybach Music's first female artist

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

For months, Rick Ross has been pouring a great deal of his energy into his Maybach Music imprint. He has snagged a number of artists from major labels. Last month, the major labels took notice and offered deals to Ross for the label.

Along the way, Rick Ross' mentors, Diddy and Jay-Z, put together solid proposals for Maybach Music. Close Ross friend, Birdman, boasted of how Ross would be signing with Cash Money. Rick Ross got the last laugh when he signed with Warner Bros. Records.

Immediately following the deal, Rick Ross hit the studio with his roster of talent. Currently, Maybach Music is working on their first compilation album. A compilation album is not a true compilation without a female R&B singer.

Rick Ross was not done expanding the label and he recently signed Teedra Moses to the label. Earlier this week, she discussed possibly joining the label. In an interview with VIBE, Moses listed Maybach Music as one of the labels she was considering. Later this year, Teedra Moses will release her Complex Simplicity debut album through Maybach Music.

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Rick Ross gets May 24 release date for "Self Made" album

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Soon after confirming the deal with Warner Bros. Rick Ross announced a Maybach Music compilation album would be coming. After taking the game by storm last year, Rick Ross wants to keep things moving. He has three releases planned in 2011.

At the top of his list is an album with Maybach Music and their roster. Early in the year, Rick Ross added three new artists to the label. Immediately after signing, they have been forced into the studio. Rick Ross announced their album will be called Self Made.

Because of Rick Ross' popularity, Warner Bros. did all they could to land his label. Now, with his label under their umbrella, they want to quickly have his music released. Maybach Music have a little over two months to get their music recorded and ready to go. The crew was given a release date of May 24 to release Self Made.

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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.

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Rick Ross begins recording "God Forgives, I Don't"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

With a good portion of the business taken care of, Rick Ross is back to doing what made him famous in the first place. Recently, the Carol City rapper has been working on his latest album, which is titled God Forgives, I Don't. For this album, Ross plans to continue his trend of recording with the stars.

Rick Ross has been busy over the past few months with the expansion of Maybach Music. Last fall, he bragged about possibly signing Wale. Earlier this month, he did just that and signed two more artists to his label. The rapid growth led to a bidding war, which included Jay-Z, Diddy, Birdman, and Warner Bros.

The bidding war ended when Rick Ross decided to enter a venture with Warner Bros. Now, he is free to get back to doing what led to the empire in the beginning. Despite all of the discussion about the title of the album and the theme, Rick Ross had not done much recording. A song with Drake, which was titled "Made Men," was released, but nothing more had come.

Ross has now backed this up with footage of him in the studio with DJ Toomp, as they are hammering out some new tracks for the album.

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Rick Ross talks Warner Bros. deal

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Rick Ross surprised many of his hip hop mogul friends, when he decided to establish a deal with Warner Bros. Records. Jay-Z helped Rick Ross get signed to Def Jam. Birdman has been a frequent collaborator. Diddy has taken Ross under his wing in recent years.

Last year, Rick Ross' stock rose very high. Many feel he was the top rapper, aside from Eminem in 2010. His spike in popularity came at the right time, as he was a free agent. The people who helped him out were all hoping to sign him. Each of the men felt they would land the big Maybach deal.

Birdman even prematurely announced his signing of Rick Ross and company, only be be fooled. Rick Ross announced his new alliance with Warner Bros. Records days later. Not even a week into his new deal and he has already signed Pill to Maybach Music. Recently, Rick Ross discussed his new deal with Warner Bros.

Ross said the deal was a long time coming. He has been watching the way Warner Bros. treats hip hop artists and he likes the way they do business. When they offered to give Maybach Music a secure home, Ross quickly jumped at the opportunity to sign with them. Now, Rick Ross said he and the rest of his crew will be in the studio. They are hard at work, creating more hit records, this time it will be for Warner Bros., instead of Def Jam.

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Rick Ross signs Pill to Maybach Music

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

It took four years for Rick Ross to become the face of Def Jam. He also became one of rap's biggest names in the process. Outside of simply rapping, Rick Ross has become a major executive in the music industry. In 2008, he launched his Maybach Music label and has signed several artists to the label.

Last fall, Ross spoke of possibly signing Wale. Last month, the deal was official and Wale was signed to Maybach Music. Not even a week later and Rick Ross had added another artist, Meek Mill, to the label. Ross attempted to sign Wiz Khalifa, but he turned him down, but Meek Mill was more than happy to sign.

After two high-profile signings, a bidding war began for Rick Ross and his Maybach Music label. Jay-Z wanted to sign the entire crew to his Roc Nation label. Diddy intended to have Ross and his artists on the Maybach label to help revitalize Bad Boy Records. Birdman had said Rick Ross was close to entering a deal with Cash Money, while Def Jam wanted to re-sign him, and Warner Bros. offered a lucrative deal.

In the end, Rick Ross decided to set up shop with Warner Bros. Records and he has not looked back. It was flattering for Jay-Z, Diddy, and Birdman to recruit him, but Rick Ross wants to be their equals, as opposed to working under them. After spending five years at Def Jam, Ross wanted a change of pace, so he decided Warner Bros. Records was the best place for him to go. Barely a week on his new label and Ross has already signed a new artist, Atlanta rapper Pill, to the label.

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Rick Ross causes a Bidding War with Major Executives

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In 2005, Rick Ross was picked up by Jay-Z and signed to a lucrative deal with Def Jam. Before his days with Def Jam, Ross was signed to Slip-N-Slide Records. After doing two albums with them, Jay-Z moved him off the label and over to Def Jam, solely.

Around this time, Rick Ross also established his own record label, named Maybach Music. The label's name was inspired by his collaboration with Jay-Z. Over time, Rick Ross gained popularity and took on 50 Cent.

Surprisingly, Rick Ross won the beef and has been one of the hottest rappers ever since. Rick Ross earned the respect and friendship of Diddy. For over a year, Diddy has been giving all kinds of business tips to Rick Ross.

Last year, with T.I. having label troubles and Lil Wayne behind bars, Rick Ross shined as the most-popular rapper in the South. He also expanded his record label, adding Wale to the roster. With his contract with Def Jam set to expire, Rick Ross is working on his God Forgives, I Don't album, which will be the final album of his contract. Already, other labels are lining up to sign him.

Diddy has been trying to rebuild Bad Boy Records for years and he already has Rick Ross signed to a management deal with the company. Ever since he started associating with Ross, Diddy has been trying to turn him into a new version of Biggie. If things go as planned, he will add Rick Ross to Bad Boy and make him the new face of the label, distributing his Maybach label.

Jay-Z helped give Rick Ross his start in the game and helped him with his first two albums. But, when he left his contract with Def Jam, Jay-Z forfeited the right to work directly with Rick Ross. Instead, he launched a new imprint, Roc Nation, which has taken off. With Roc Nation quickly becoming one of the most-popular new labels, Jay-Z wants to pick up where he left off with Rick Ross by adding his entire imprint.

Also, Birdman is interested in adding Rick Ross to Cash Money Records. In the 1990s, Cash Money experienced major success before falling off in the 2000s. Lil Wayne kept the label going in the 2000s, before he exploded and created Young Money. With Maybach Music set to become the next major crew, following Young Money, Birdman wants to try his hand at distributing two popular imprints.

Outside of Bad Boy Records and Cash Money Records, Warner Bros. Records is also willing to make a lucrative deal for Rick Ross to join their label. Unlike with Bad Boy and Cash Money, Rick Ross would deal directly with the executives and the major label would directly release his music. After years of hard work, Rick Ross is getting the bidding war he did not have six years ago.

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