The reason why Nipsey Hussle turned down a record deal with Rick Ross
Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group has a very respectable discography, having released albums by the likes of Meek Mill, Wale and Ross himself. But one artist the label missed out on was Nipsey Hussle, although it came very close to getting him.
Nipsey reflected on how this deal with Maybach almost came about to Complex in 2013, noting that he had even met with Ross to work out the details. Ross, a big fan of Nipsey’s, apparently “made it clear that he can make the deal” that Nipsey needed.
“I needed a marketing machine and I needed international distribution for my product,” Nipsey explained. “Ross fought tooth and nail to make that happen for me.”
The offer that Ross made Nipsey was a good one, and Nipsey respected him for it. But there was a problem, and it ended up derailing the whole deal before it could happen.
While Nipsey felt comfortable dealing with Ross personally, the trouble came when other corporate actors around Ross got involved. These people “offended” Nipsey, who lamented their power and their desire to see him and Ross compromise for their sake.
“They should be the ones to compromise for the culture,” Nipsey insisted, “so this thing can happen.”
Maybach Music Group has been affiliated with several significant labels during its time. It’s presently an imprint of gamma., but it was once linked to Def Jam Recordings, then Warner Records, and then Atlantic Records. In other words, there have been some powerful institutions with sway over Maybach’s dealings.
Nipsey found this intolerable. He felt the corporate types were trying to sell him a bad deal, attempting to persuade him to compromise for their gain.
“Just be happy with the hood and happy with the fame of it and how it’s gonna make it look,” they apparently told him, as he relayed it to Complex. “It’s gonna be big. You’re gonna be the biggest n*gga out of the West.” Nipsey wasn’t having it. He refused to be taken in by the promises, and the deal with Maybach fell through.