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.