![]() Pineapples grow in a well-manicured garden. From a bubbling Jacuzzi atop a small cement hill, a man-made waterfall pours into a large oval swimming pool. As I do, Ross informs me that a crew from MTV Cribs is expected in a few weeks, so the decorating is still in progress. In the back yard, although it is nighttime, the swimming pool's lighting system is so bright I have to put my sunglasses on. I'm strapped, boy, and I'm gonna let your ass have it, period. Just know that." Standing six-foot-two and weighing around 300 pounds, Ross looks like he means business. "Whenever you are in the public eye," he continues, "you become a target to some extent. Some young punks come and break and enter for a watch or something. I would've shot all through that shit - 200-plus rounds. ![]() Everything on the other side of the wall deserves to die, dogs and pets included. ![]() I ain't lookin'." He holds up his thumb and pointer finger and says, "His girl and his baby was already in the bed. I'm pretty sure it would've been a different outcome, come around here with that. you gotta be able to protect your family and your home. "That man dead and gone." As we step outside through a glass door, he continues. "Rest in peace," Ross says as he shakes his head. Which leads to a discussion regarding the recent murder of Miami native and pro football player Sean Taylor. Which turns the conversation to football: After graduating from Carol City Senior High School, he attended Albany State University on a football scholarship. Various awards adorn the wall between the foyer and the entertainment room in Ross's home. He has also designed shoes for Converse with Dwyane Wade, and owns a hair salon in Atlanta. His Ringleader brand of clothing will be available soon. Fried Macaroni, and, for dessert, the Trina Mango Pie). He owns a restaurant in North Miami called Hip-Hop Grub Spot (try the Lil Wayne Fish and Chips, T.I. In 2006 he established Rick Ross Charities Inc., which offers educational, social, and mentoring programs for inner-city youth. ![]() Believe me, I know."īut beyond music, Ross has his hand in other lucrative pots. "Ringtones are a really good source of income," says Ross, pointing to a cell phone-shape plaque on the wall, given to him by the Recording Industry Association of America. For a while you could not go anywhere in Miami-Dade County without hearing the mantralike chorus ("Every day I'm huss-a-lin") of breakout single "Hustlin'." The song was produced by the Runners, from Orlando, and set a record in ringtone sales (more than a million). ![]() It went on to become certified platinum, selling more than a million copies and reaching number one on the Billboard album chart. His debut album, Port of Miami, released on Slip-N-Slide in 2006, celebrated the 305's legendary reputation as cocaine capital of the Americas. the Bo$$, Chief of Miami, Rick the Ruler - was born William Roberts almost 31 years ago in Carol City. We damn near made Def Jam break the bank. "This nigga right here got his DVD called American Hustler with my song on it. I started with nothing and here I am." He points to the TV set, indicating Williams. Ross takes off his shirt and puts a hand over his rib cage: "I am getting the head of the Statue of Liberty right here." Why? "God loves me. You gotta make it happen, though." He stands up, and I follow him into the kitchen and dining area, where a tattoo artist is setting up ink and needles on a glass table. "As long as you break bread," he continues, "everything we do is like a partnership. To really hustle, you gotta be sure of yourself." We're watching stand-up comedian Katt Williams on a large-screen TV set, but my eyes are still adjusting to the brightness of the large chandelier dangling from the high ceiling. "My next crib, I'm gonna have some pet tigers," he says, laughing, in the same slow-and-low, Barry White-style pitch in which he raps. "My definition of hustlin' is: Handle your business, I'm gonna handle mine. "I wrote that song in about an hour on some good kush," says Miami-born hip-hop superstar Rick Ross as we sit in the entertainment room of his new Davie mansion on a recent Saturday night. ![]()
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