The 2Pac album that “put it over the top” for Rick Ross
Rick Ross is a legend in hip-hop. Making a name for himself throughout the early noughties by touring alongside more prominent artists and 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. 2009 saw Ross found his own label, Maybach Music Group, which became the main competition to Lil Wayne’s Young Money and ever since he has been a mogul.
Since his breakout, Ross has released eleven studio albums and five collaborative albums. He has even ventured outside of music, owning several different Wingstop franchises, which he often promotes through his music.
The lyricist (real name William Roberts) has sold a huge number of records. In 2020, during an appearance on The Joprah Show with Fat Joe, the Miami legend spoke about some of his favourite artists of all time. Among the artists were some of the most noted names in the business, showcasing just how initiated into the genre Ross is.
Speaking about some 1990s legends, Ross explained, “Biggie, 2Pac, that Makaveli project touched me differently! All Eyez On Me! I’ve always been one of those people that believe anybody can make one dope ass album! But you ain’t gonna roll the dice and make two dope albums if you ain’t a dope muthaf*cka.”
He added, “2Pac was always one of the most powerful, influential artists, but that Makaveli album. It put it over the top. That’s when n*ggas went to saying he was in Jamaica! When you dead and dogs sayin’ you ain’t dead.”
The album is utterly littered with references to his own death, and Pac never shies away from the world he is living in. As well as being lyrically arresting, instrumentally, the album is the best he ever made. The album is stacked and full of features, yet still focuses on some of Pac’s most emotionally driven lyrics.
Rick Ross then went on to name a series of other rappers he admires greatly, continuing, “Because he was a dear friend of mine, I’m going to say Nipsey Hussle. You gotta understand when I put my list together, I always understand that we didn’t get to see them live their full potential.”
He concluded, “But based on the way Nipsey moved from when I met him five years later, that guy was on a whole new level! So I know if Nipsey was still here, he would have been on top of the West Coast”
You can watch Fat Joe and Rick Ross speaking in the video below.