Hip Hop has always had a love affair with the extra-large emcee. Whether it was The Fat Boys, Chubb Rock, The Notorious B.I.G. or Big Pun, king-size emcees have had, more often than not, equally large personalities. And while some fans would consider it blasphemy to put Rick Ross in the same class as the aforementioned hefty Hip Hoppers, there is no denying his presence.
It’s this presence that has brought a little-known rapper who called himself Tephlon Da Don to one of the most popular artists today. Having worked with everyone from Akon, Trey Songz and The-Dream to Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Nas, Ross remains a consistent force on the airwaves, making his upcoming release Deeper Than Rap one of the most anticipated albums of the year. Perhaps because of this he has drawn the ire of the always-competitive 50 Cent – but Rick Ross isn’t here to talk about beef, nor any other controversy. Today, it’s all about business.
The “Bawse” took some time to chop it up with HipHopDX to discuss collaborations with Birdman and Nas, Chevrolet and his own label – but you won’t find anything about correctional officers here. From the way he talks, it’s clear that Ross prefers to remain above all the distractions. To put it in his own words, he’s “Bossin’ up.”
HipHopDX: The Hip Hop industry is buzzing about how strong Deeper Than Rap is. How much does this word of mouth through the media help with the release?
Rick Ross: You know, people know classics when they hear ‘em. For the people who might be unsure or unaware of the situation, it may shed a little light on it. But it’s nothing like picking it up yourself April 21st, you know?
DX: Do you think that it does more than the advertising?
Rick Ross: We’ll have to find out.
DX: Fair enough. Something that you’re well-known for is your ear for production. How do you choose your beats?
Rick Ross: It’s hard for me to really explain. There’s just a certain sound, and it’s the process where I put it together. It all comes together and [it has to] sound, you know, potent.
DX: What would you recommend to other rappers who have trouble picking quality production? What would you suggest?
Rick Ross: [Laughing] Oh, I ain’t got nothing to suggest for them. They gotta get it together!
DX: Don’t want to help out the competition, huh?
Rick Ross: Yeah, they could just see me. I’ll put something together for ‘em.
DX: Yeah, get another check out of that!
Rick Ross: Of course, why not?
DX: When you arrived in 2005, a lot of people were critical of your lyrics. Now, the masses consider you a voice of the people. Then you go get a very lyrical guy like Nas on your album. What’s the chemistry like with him, and how, terms of rap lyrics, is there a link between those two generations?
Rick Ross: You know, it’s just me being a fan of Nas, first and foremost, that would make me want to collaborate with him – or anybody for that matter. I just thought it made sense. The record, “Usual Suspects,” [click to listen] it turned out – I couldn’t be happier. I feel that by me being a fan of his, I understand where he come from. The energy that he put into my record, I feel that he understand where I come from. If there is a connection, it’s something that the people will have to put together.
DX: I don’t want to touch on the 50 Cent thing too much because that’s pretty played out, but how has the Internet changed the dynamics and tactics of beef, such as using cartoons and video?
Rick Ross: I think that for real dudes that’s in the music industry – it has very little appeal to us. My core fan base doesn’t really entertain that kind of stuff. The majority of my fans don’t even know there was a beef.
DX: What do you think about fans who criticize see videos on YouTube for beef, and say “Just keep it on wax”?
Rick Ross: That’s their opinion, and that’s the era I come from, you know? It can be real, but as far the music, just make sure you stay on top of your music, and don’t get caught up not making classic music. That should always be your focal point.
DX: You spent a lot of time in the late '90s with Erick Sermon, even appearing on Erick Onasis, billed as Tephlon Da Don. Recently you reached back to help E with his artist Vic. Given your success now, how do you look back on your time with the Def Squad?
Rick Ross: It was most definitely a learning experience. Being around a legend such as Erick Sermon [click to read], his production still being timeless, his ideas, and you know back then he was telling me different ways to flow, giving me concepts, so that’s most definitely a plus when you’re dealing with somebody who’s a legend and did it as long as he has.
DX: What was the most valuable thing you learned from Erick Sermon?
Rick Ross: [Pauses] …I’m not sure. I’m not sure. I most definitely vibed with him and put together a lot of records in his studio, and he gave me a lot of different pointers and records to build on, so I definitely salute him on that, and I’m pretty sure I learned a lot of different things from him – I just can’t pinpoint one right now.
DX: Is there any word on the possibility of you doing an album with Birdman?
Rick Ross: Oh yes, most definitely. We’re working on a film together right now. We’ve got a few other people involved – we’re still putting it together.
DX: Why do you two work so well together?
Rick Ross: I recognize him as being one of the great executives from the south, accomplishing a lot of things. We just kind of developed a bond over the years, being in the same studios – them being in Miami a lot.
DX: Going back to your connections with Nas and Erick Sermon really quick, what do you attribute your connection to New York Hip Hop to, because a lot of southern artists stay working with southern artists, and the same goes for New York?
Rick Ross: I just feel like I’m a fan of Hip Hop, first and foremost. When it comes to me collaborating, I’m a hundred-and-fifty-percent hater-free. No matter where you from, what you do, if I love your music, I don’t care if you Kid Cudi or OJ Da Juiceman – it don’t matter. If I like your music, I like your music. It don’t matter how many records you sold or who you friends with, I ain’t with all that. I just collaborate with people I’m fans of or who I feel I can make some hot shit with.
DX: Chevrolet is having some trouble, although you’ve devoted a lot of time making Chevys look cool. If they made you CEO of GM, what would be the first thing you do?
Rick Ross: Reproduce some of those ‘73 Impalas, convertibles, ‘71s – probably reproduce some of those.
DX: Would you be in the commercials?
Rick Ross: Yeah, I could be in some commercials, it’s all good.
DX: With “Mafia Music” and “Magnificent” getting so much love, do you think you have the power to bring street singles back to the radio?
Rick Ross: I think anything’s possible. I think that if you’re an artist who’s not scared to do the music you love, that’s what you should do – because you never know. When I do “Mafia Music” [click to listen], it ain’t even about the spins, it’s about me speaking my mind. Hopefully the people hear it, and it’s something they can ride with, so they attempt to take it to the radio.
DX: With the shirtless shots, don status persona and making both hard music and music for the ladies, do you think you’re bringing back the elements of style that Hip Hop so dearly misses with Biggie?
Rick Ross: A lot of people make those references, and it would be natural for me to emulate Biggie in some form or fashion – me being a diehard fan of his. And most definitely there needs to be a little class, a little dress-up sometimes to give people that energy and that vibe.
DX: I see that it’s coming out on Maybach Music Group – your label. What are your plans for the label?
Rick Ross: Yeah, after this project, look for Triple C’s album that’s coming. And like I said, we’re filming a couple short films, feature films, doing a lot of different things.
DX: What kind of films?
Rick Ross: Me and Birdman [click to read] are executive producing a film by the name of H, so look for that. That’s behind the scenes in production as we speak, and until then, we’re going to release a couple of short films.
DX: How’re films different from music for you?
Rick Ross: We’re coming up with the same ideas, just a different format. Just creating the ideas and bringing them to life.
DX: Have you heard the Andy Samberg and Seth Rogen song “Like A Boss?”
Rick Ross: No I haven’t.
DX: You should check it out – it’s very you. Anything else you want to get off your chest?
Rick Ross: April 21st, go get the album of the year!
It’s this presence that has brought a little-known rapper who called himself Tephlon Da Don to one of the most popular artists today. Having worked with everyone from Akon, Trey Songz and The-Dream to Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Nas, Ross remains a consistent force on the airwaves, making his upcoming release Deeper Than Rap one of the most anticipated albums of the year. Perhaps because of this he has drawn the ire of the always-competitive 50 Cent – but Rick Ross isn’t here to talk about beef, nor any other controversy. Today, it’s all about business.
The “Bawse” took some time to chop it up with HipHopDX to discuss collaborations with Birdman and Nas, Chevrolet and his own label – but you won’t find anything about correctional officers here. From the way he talks, it’s clear that Ross prefers to remain above all the distractions. To put it in his own words, he’s “Bossin’ up.”
HipHopDX: The Hip Hop industry is buzzing about how strong Deeper Than Rap is. How much does this word of mouth through the media help with the release?
Rick Ross: You know, people know classics when they hear ‘em. For the people who might be unsure or unaware of the situation, it may shed a little light on it. But it’s nothing like picking it up yourself April 21st, you know?
DX: Do you think that it does more than the advertising?
Rick Ross: We’ll have to find out.
DX: Fair enough. Something that you’re well-known for is your ear for production. How do you choose your beats?
Rick Ross: It’s hard for me to really explain. There’s just a certain sound, and it’s the process where I put it together. It all comes together and [it has to] sound, you know, potent.
DX: What would you recommend to other rappers who have trouble picking quality production? What would you suggest?
Rick Ross: [Laughing] Oh, I ain’t got nothing to suggest for them. They gotta get it together!
DX: Don’t want to help out the competition, huh?
Rick Ross: Yeah, they could just see me. I’ll put something together for ‘em.
DX: Yeah, get another check out of that!
Rick Ross: Of course, why not?
DX: When you arrived in 2005, a lot of people were critical of your lyrics. Now, the masses consider you a voice of the people. Then you go get a very lyrical guy like Nas on your album. What’s the chemistry like with him, and how, terms of rap lyrics, is there a link between those two generations?
Rick Ross: You know, it’s just me being a fan of Nas, first and foremost, that would make me want to collaborate with him – or anybody for that matter. I just thought it made sense. The record, “Usual Suspects,” [click to listen] it turned out – I couldn’t be happier. I feel that by me being a fan of his, I understand where he come from. The energy that he put into my record, I feel that he understand where I come from. If there is a connection, it’s something that the people will have to put together.
DX: I don’t want to touch on the 50 Cent thing too much because that’s pretty played out, but how has the Internet changed the dynamics and tactics of beef, such as using cartoons and video?
Rick Ross: I think that for real dudes that’s in the music industry – it has very little appeal to us. My core fan base doesn’t really entertain that kind of stuff. The majority of my fans don’t even know there was a beef.
DX: What do you think about fans who criticize see videos on YouTube for beef, and say “Just keep it on wax”?
Rick Ross: That’s their opinion, and that’s the era I come from, you know? It can be real, but as far the music, just make sure you stay on top of your music, and don’t get caught up not making classic music. That should always be your focal point.
DX: You spent a lot of time in the late '90s with Erick Sermon, even appearing on Erick Onasis, billed as Tephlon Da Don. Recently you reached back to help E with his artist Vic. Given your success now, how do you look back on your time with the Def Squad?
Rick Ross: It was most definitely a learning experience. Being around a legend such as Erick Sermon [click to read], his production still being timeless, his ideas, and you know back then he was telling me different ways to flow, giving me concepts, so that’s most definitely a plus when you’re dealing with somebody who’s a legend and did it as long as he has.
DX: What was the most valuable thing you learned from Erick Sermon?
Rick Ross: [Pauses] …I’m not sure. I’m not sure. I most definitely vibed with him and put together a lot of records in his studio, and he gave me a lot of different pointers and records to build on, so I definitely salute him on that, and I’m pretty sure I learned a lot of different things from him – I just can’t pinpoint one right now.
DX: Is there any word on the possibility of you doing an album with Birdman?
Rick Ross: Oh yes, most definitely. We’re working on a film together right now. We’ve got a few other people involved – we’re still putting it together.
DX: Why do you two work so well together?
Rick Ross: I recognize him as being one of the great executives from the south, accomplishing a lot of things. We just kind of developed a bond over the years, being in the same studios – them being in Miami a lot.
DX: Going back to your connections with Nas and Erick Sermon really quick, what do you attribute your connection to New York Hip Hop to, because a lot of southern artists stay working with southern artists, and the same goes for New York?
Rick Ross: I just feel like I’m a fan of Hip Hop, first and foremost. When it comes to me collaborating, I’m a hundred-and-fifty-percent hater-free. No matter where you from, what you do, if I love your music, I don’t care if you Kid Cudi or OJ Da Juiceman – it don’t matter. If I like your music, I like your music. It don’t matter how many records you sold or who you friends with, I ain’t with all that. I just collaborate with people I’m fans of or who I feel I can make some hot shit with.
DX: Chevrolet is having some trouble, although you’ve devoted a lot of time making Chevys look cool. If they made you CEO of GM, what would be the first thing you do?
Rick Ross: Reproduce some of those ‘73 Impalas, convertibles, ‘71s – probably reproduce some of those.
DX: Would you be in the commercials?
Rick Ross: Yeah, I could be in some commercials, it’s all good.
DX: With “Mafia Music” and “Magnificent” getting so much love, do you think you have the power to bring street singles back to the radio?
Rick Ross: I think anything’s possible. I think that if you’re an artist who’s not scared to do the music you love, that’s what you should do – because you never know. When I do “Mafia Music” [click to listen], it ain’t even about the spins, it’s about me speaking my mind. Hopefully the people hear it, and it’s something they can ride with, so they attempt to take it to the radio.
DX: With the shirtless shots, don status persona and making both hard music and music for the ladies, do you think you’re bringing back the elements of style that Hip Hop so dearly misses with Biggie?
Rick Ross: A lot of people make those references, and it would be natural for me to emulate Biggie in some form or fashion – me being a diehard fan of his. And most definitely there needs to be a little class, a little dress-up sometimes to give people that energy and that vibe.
DX: I see that it’s coming out on Maybach Music Group – your label. What are your plans for the label?
Rick Ross: Yeah, after this project, look for Triple C’s album that’s coming. And like I said, we’re filming a couple short films, feature films, doing a lot of different things.
DX: What kind of films?
Rick Ross: Me and Birdman [click to read] are executive producing a film by the name of H, so look for that. That’s behind the scenes in production as we speak, and until then, we’re going to release a couple of short films.
DX: How’re films different from music for you?
Rick Ross: We’re coming up with the same ideas, just a different format. Just creating the ideas and bringing them to life.
DX: Have you heard the Andy Samberg and Seth Rogen song “Like A Boss?”
Rick Ross: No I haven’t.
DX: You should check it out – it’s very you. Anything else you want to get off your chest?
Rick Ross: April 21st, go get the album of the year!
