Miami rapper Rick Ross has reached the top of the charts and is one of the most successful MCs from his city. From founding the potent label Maybach Music Group (MMG) to becoming an ambassador of the Wingstop franchise, the lyricist (real name William Roberts) has become a mogul. Prior to becoming an owner of over 40 Wingstops, Roberts hustled with his music.
Ross grew up in the Carol City neighbourhood of Miami. Raised in a single-parent household with his mother and sisters, Ross did relatively well in school and even attended Albany State University on a football scholarship. However, after graduating and becoming a correctional officer, in 1997, he turned his attention to hip-hop.
Under the pseudonym Teflon Da Don, he recorded several demos, one of which landed him a guest verse on the third Erick Sermon album Def Squad Presents: Erick Onasis on the song ‘Ain’t Shhh to Discuss’. Following this mainstream feature, Teflon Da Don, under the stage name Rick Ross, signed with Suave House Records and, after a short stint on the record label, signed to the Miami-based Def Jam subsidiary Slip-n-Slide Records. While on the label, Ross toured alongside Miami rap legend Trick Daddy Dollars.
Making a name for himself throughout the early noughties by touring alongside more prominent artists performing his underground Suave House material, in 2006, Ross released his debut album Port Of Miami, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. In 2008, Ross released Trilla. His second studio album, which, like his first, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
Since then, Ross has built an empire, invested in and built up an extensive portfolio of businesses, including the iconic fried chicken franchise Wingstop. With over 40 Wingstops under his management across various states, Ross has successfully marketed his business in multiple ways.
One way that the Miami emcee managed to promote his Wingstop venture was through his music. As such, he always had his listeners hungry for some fried chicken. In 2014, Ross released his sixth album, Mastermind, featuring the track ‘Blk & Wht’ on which he rhymes, “Wingstop owner, lemon pepper aroma/Young black n***a, barely got a diploma.”
In 2012, Ross appeared on Gucci Mane’s mixtape I’m Up. On the track ‘Trap Boomin’, Ross again decided to mention “When I hit a lick it I bought a Wingstop / I sprinkle lemon pepper in that re-rock.”
The MMG founder even appeared on Philthy Rich’s track ‘Wing Stop’ you can listen to the track in the video below.
