Rick Ross

Rick Ross And Usher's 'Touch 'N You' Is For 'The Ladies'

25 May 2012 17:57:45 EDT

Rozay and Usher talk to MTV News about the 'sexy' track from their video set in Atlanta.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by FLX

God Forgives, but Rick Ross does not. Still, as apathetic as the Bawse may portray himself, Rozay has a sweet spot when it comes to the ladies. So on "Touch 'N You," the new big money single off of Ross' upcoming God Forgives, I Don't, the Maybach CEO and guest star Usher Raymond show a little love to the hunnies.

"It's a real sexy record. I wanted to make sure the ladies knew that they could be a part of this movement, a part of this project," Rick Ross told MTV News on Thursday (May 24) from the "Touch 'N You" video set in Atlanta. "I would never let the ladies down even if it's a real hard album or however it may be titled."

The upcoming clip is directed by Chris Robinson (Lil Wayne "How to Love," Jay-Z "Roc Boys") and will of course co-star Usher. "It's an incredible one, Chris once again comes together making an incredible video," Usher told us. "It is a conceptual video depicting the world that Rozay is in. My participation is just to show up and be cool."

Cool is an understatement when it comes to Usher, who is riding high off of his #1 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song "Climax." Ross is no stranger to love songs either; he's given the ladies plenty to swoon over on singles like 2008's "Here I Am" and 2010's "Aston Martin Music," but having Ush on a track adds a certain appeal.

The combination of Raymond's vocals and the sexy "Touch 'N You" video should be just enough to help Rozay properly put his feelings in perspective. Sometimes after long studio sessions with Meek Mill, Wale and the rest of his MMG compadres, the Bawse just needs to get away, and that's what he aims to capture in the clip. "It's basically like a situation where life gets so hectic sometimes you just want to get away with that special female and that's what this was based off," he said.

What do you think of Rick Ross and Usher's "Touch 'N You"? Lets us know in the comments!

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DJ Khaled's 'Take It To The Head' Video Is A Blockbuster

18 May 2012 12:38:52 EDT

For video, premiering Sunday on MTV Jams, 'We got nothin' but megastars,' Khaled tells MTV News.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Blockbuster songs deserve blockbuster video treatments, and DJ Khaled made sure his new single, "Take It to the Head," had a big visual to match. When your track features Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross, there isn't much choice.

"I told [director] Colin [Tilley] when I called him, 'We gotta video, we gotta do the best video, we gotta win awards, and you gotta really take it there because we got nothin' but megastars on one record," DJ Khaled told MTV News' Sway Calloway from the Universal Studios set where he shot the video at the end of April.

Last summer, Khaled hosted "I'm on One," an inescapable rap jam that partnered Lil Wayne, Drake and Rick Ross for the first time. It seemed that the #1 Billboard rap single would be hard to top, but with Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown on "Take it to the Head," the Cash Money DJ is making a serious run for hip-hop's 2012 summer anthem. The stakes are high, and the video, which premieres Sunday on MTV Jams, is equally as huge.

The video set is reminiscent of the 1974 disaster film "Earthquake," where most of Los Angeles is destroyed by a quake that registers 9.9 on the Richter scale. "Colin Tilley is an amazing director, so he had this amazing idea where he wanted fire behind us, trains broken, ground shaking," Khaled described. "We're giving you new stuff."

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Rick Ross Tells 'A Very Dark Story' On God Forgives, I Don't

03 May 2012 15:44:15 EDT

'It's extremely lyrical. The music is next level,' Ross says of his record, out July 31.
By Rahman Dukes, with additional reporting by Sway Calloway

Rick Ross predicts his upcoming album God Forgives, I Don't will take fans on a thrilling journey riddled with bone-chilling rap tales never experienced on his previous efforts.

"This is my best project yet," Ross declared, draped in all black and sparkling diamonds while sitting at his MMG press conference, reminiscent of a boss giving orders before his capos. "God Forgives, I Don't is a very dark story."

After a number of setbacks, Ross stamped a July 31 release date on the album he's touting as hip-hop's "most anticipated album of the year."

"It's extremely lyrical. The music is next level," Ross said. "I'm expecting nothing but the biggest results. The collaborations is gonna surprise a few of you guys."

"Surprising" is one way to describe these past months for MTV's Hottest MC in the Game. Rozay triumphantly rose to the occasion earlier this year when he released the highly successful Rich Forever mixtape just a month after he was stricken with multiple seizures. Now, with all signs pointing toward GFID, Ross is looking to deliver on the hype of the album.

"I think the stories being told on this record is going to make it stand apart from all the other albums I've ever done," says Ross. "By the time you get to track two, you gonna understand this is a completely different body of work."

The rapper/entrepreneur's stock has ballooned with every major album release, and God Forgives, I Don't should fare no different, possibly even catapulting him into the upper echelon of galactic hip-hop MCs like Jay-Z and Nas.

"This was the missing part of my legacy," Ross stated. "This is what's going to put me over the top right there."

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Rick Ross

Rick Ross Aims To Inject 'New Energy' Into Hip-Hop

02 May 2012 20:11:12 EDT

'I think it was a great day for hip-hop. It was a great energy for hip-hop,' Rozay says at MMG press conference.
By Nadeska Alexis, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Rick Ross put his entrepreneurial prowess on display during a Maybach Music Group press conference in New York City on Wednesday (May 2). Ross announced a new deal with Omarion and the release date for his fifth album, God Forgives, I Don't. MTV News' Sway Calloway caught up with Rozay after the conference and he explained why it was necessary to put on such a show of power.

"I think it was a great day for hip-hop. It was a great energy for hip-hop," Ross said of the MMG press conference. "When you reflect on hip-hop on a boss level, for the last 10 years, the business of hip-hop has been kinda shaky, it's been in a decline. I was talking to Lyor [Cohen] this morning and we were talking about how it's already bottomed out — there's nowhere to go but up from here. I think this was a new energy that the hip-hop game needed, a momentum change."

This summer will be heavy with Maybach Music. Before Ross drops God Forgives, I Don't on July 31, the label will release their Self Made Vol. 2 compilation, on June 26. Plus French Montana will release Excuse My French on July 17 and Meek Mill will release his debut, Dreams and Nightmares, on August 28.

Still, it's clear that the anticipation for God Forgives, I Don't has hit a fever pitch. The album was originally scheduled to debut in December 2011, but Ross said that he's been hard at work promoting his music to an international crowd in the interim. "I wanted to go overseas because I wanted this to be an album that was really doing things overseas as well, which, with my previous albums, I really didn't focus on that," he explained. "I went overseas, we toured a bit and here we are, fittin' to make big things happen."

Apart from Ross' album release date, the most surprising news from the press conference was Omarion's official addition to the MMG collective. The R&B singer seemed perfectly at home with his new crew, telling Sway, "It's amazing. First and foremost, what people have to understand is Ross is a real dude, so he don't align with everybody. He's gotta feel connected and the music thing connected us."

Diddy, Lyor Cohen and Swizz Beatz were among the featured speakers at Ross' press conference, and Swizz shared details on the Miami rapper's new clothing deal with Reebok. "The Reebok deal is already done, but [Swizz] just spoke on the big-and-tall side of it," Ross explained after the conference wrapped. "So I'm rocking my own clothing line through Rebook — it's gonna be cool and something fun."

Needless to say, there will be plenty going on with the Maybach Music camp this summer, and a new tour is certainly on that list of plans. "Everybody dropping albums and we were touring all year, but we fittin' to put this music out and we gonna go back on the road. We goin' make it pop," Ross concluded.

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Rick Ross Taps R&B Singer Omarion For Maybach Music

02 May 2012 16:54:31 EDT

MMG CEO also confirms a July 31 release for his much anticipated God Forgives, I Don't.
By Nadeska Alexis

Rick Ross held a Maybach Music Group press conference at the Eventi Hotel in New York City on Wednesday (May 2), and he certainly had some big news to deliver.

In addition to announcing that his much-anticipated fifth LP, God Forgives, I Don't, is set for release on July 31, Rozay also confirmed that R&B singer Omarion is the latest addition to MMG. Special press-conference guests Swizz Beatz, Diddy and Lyor Cohen all turned up to share glowing words about MTV News' 2012 Hottest MC in the Game, who also brought Wale, Meek Mill and French Montana out to join him on the panel.

Ross served up his album release date early, explaining that the extensive delay — God Forgives, I Don't was originally expected at the end of 2011— will result in a project that his patient fans can truly appreciate.

"I'm extremely excited: The verses, the tracks, the production, the ad-libs, everything is just in the right place," he said. "Just the overall meaning, the story that's being told — they gonna really appreciate the title."

In reply to a question about dealing with mounting expectations surrounding the album, Ross remained Zen. "I zone all of that out," he said. "I just know I'm seeking perfection as an artist when I critique my music, so regardless of how long it takes, I think everybody will appreciate it."

God Forgives, I Don't will drop in July, but expect plenty of MMG action both before and after that. Maybach Music's Self Made Vol. 2 will debut on June 26, French Montana follows with Excuse My French on July 17 and Meek Mill rounds things out with Dreams and Nightmares on August 28.

Project release dates aside, the biggest news at the press conference was that Ross has officially signed Omarion to MMG. The former B2K singer appeared near the end of the session to announce his new deal. "First and foremost, I wanna thank everybody for coming out, not only for this special moment in my career, but for this special day in music," he told the crowd. "To Rozay, it's a pleasure. Today, I become a made man." (Queue the MMG drop.)

Ross then took the mic to give some additional details on how the deal came about.

"I flew him down to Miami and he played me maybe a dozen records and I was amazed by the music that he put together, the music he was working on, the music he was writing," Rozay explained. "His dancing is incredible, he's an actor, he's a writer — I just thought it would be a great move for both of us. I've been looking at going into the arena of R&B records and I felt he was the best artist to kick the doors open with. I think his work ethic and his project is gonna speak for itself."

In response to all of the other rumors that Ross might sign artists like Nipsey Hussle and Dom Kennedy, he only had this to say: "We're a dream team when it comes to making records and making big records, so I just let the rumors circulate."

What do you think of Ross signing Omarion to MMG? Tell us in the comments!

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Usher 'Needed A Boss,' Rick Ross, For 'Lemme See'

01 May 2012 16:07:21 EDT

'Ricky Rozay came through and put that thing down,' he tells MTV News of his sensual collabo with Ross.
By Jocelyn Vena

On his latest single, "Lemme See," Usher is doing what he does best: imagining all the ways he wants to get it on with his lady.

Usher's bravado is out in full with him singing, "She says she wanna take her skirt off/Be my guest/I decided to take my shirt off/And show my chest/And we been sipping on that merlot/So you know what's next." And, as if we didn't know what was next, he adds, "Working intermissions, switching positions/We so expensive, oh."

If fans think it couldn't get any hotter on the Jim Jonsin and Mr. Morris-produced track, Usher invited his pal and Hottest MC Rick Ross to heat things up even more.

"Well, me and Rick Ross had been talking about working together solo," he told MTV News about the song. "We had actually done something before with 'So Sick and Tired' with DJ Khaled, but this was one of those ones it needed a boss on it."

From there, Ursher hit the studio with the MC and came up with a sensual track about the art of seducing. He added, "Ricky Rozay came through and put that thing down. It was good."

Usher previewed Looking For Myself, which drops June 12, during a one-night performance as the lead in the off-Broadway show "Fuerza Bruta." The album's second single, "Scream," dropped last week.

"This album has many different views and many different perspectives," Usher said of how the songs he's released so far reflect the album. "Whereas the first song was a little bit more artistic and a little bit more soulful, and it has done everything, it probably exceeded my expectations, I mean, from the moment I was able to give it away. I was able to kind of be reintroduced in a way musically, and thank you to [producer] Diplo, but 'Scream' is really like the next step. It's just in time for summer and the type of experience that I want people to get out of the album."

What do you think of "Lemme See"? Leave your comment below!

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Rick Ross Still Going For Broke With Rich Forever Mixtape

23 Apr 2012 18:28:50 EDT

'I feel for you to be rich forever, you have to be rich with ideas,' Rozay tells Mixtape Daily of his 2012 standout.
By Rob Markman

Main Pick

Headliner: Rick Ross, DJ Scream, Shaheem Reid
Representing: Miami, Florida
Mixtape: Rich Forever
Real Spit: Sometimes differentiating between a mixtape and an album can be difficult, especially when a mixtape is crafted with such care, like Rick Ross' Rich Forever.

The 19-song opus dropped at the top of the year as an appetizer for Rozay's upcoming God Forgives, I Don't LP. But almost four months later, it is clear that the Maybach Music Boss has created a tape that will transcend the shelf life of most free Internet downloads.

"As far as the title of the mixtape goes, it's Rich Forever. It's a lyric that I've used in the past, several times. Not only that, I really believe it," MTV's most recent Hottest MC in the Game crown holder told Mixtape Daily. "I feel for you to be rich forever, you have to be rich with ideas, rich with concepts, rich with thoughts; to me that's what being rich forever is."

Rozay didn't just rely on his own wealth, he recruited a flock of well-to-do friends like Diddy, Nas, John Legend, Birdman and Kelly Rowland to contribute. "Stay Schemin'," which features Drake and French Montana, has crossed over and made a dent on Billboard's R&B Chart, so far peaking at #49. While "Schemin' " may be the most identifiable song off of Rich Forever, the tape is filled with a number of standouts.

"Ring Ring" with Future is a playful ode to the ladies, and on "Holy Ghost," Diddy prays to God to keep his bank account intact while Rozay denounces the devil and other speed bumps on his road to riches. "Yella Diamonds" is another pledge to money, this time featuring Cash Money CEO Birdman. "My dough be shinin' like it's yella diamonds," Ross raps on the song's rambunctious hook.

The Bawse keeps things lively but does slow it down on the tape's title track. With R&B crooner John Legend in tow, Ross runs down his career in retrospect. "Def Jam on my heels, should I sign to it?/ Million-dollar advance for me to rhyme fluent/ Every day I'm hustlin' on every corner boomin'/ Back of the Phantom, I couldn't fathom/ I was such a student," he spits about the circumstances leading up to his 2006 debut album Port of Miami.

Ross has grown significantly in the six years since dropping his first LP, and Rich Forever more than proves it. No longer a hustler on the come-up, Rick Ross now runs the game with enough riches to last him a lifetime.

Joints to Check For

» "Rich Forever" - "We were just brainstorming on my quest, my career, and I just summarized it on a record."

» "Holy Ghost" - "This is one of my favorites. First record on the mixtape, it's called 'Holy Ghost.' Sometimes you gotta pray, even for your foes."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

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Rick Ross

Rick Ross False Seizure Rumors 'Irritate' DJ Khaled

20 Apr 2012 10:51:28 EDT

'It irritates me in the game sometimes how people will throw rumors out there about health issues,' DJ Khaled tells 'RapFix Live.'
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Rozay is OK! Rick Ross gave the rap world a scare when he suffered a pair of seizures last October, and though he has since assured fans that he was taking care of his health, recent rumors began to surface that the Boss suffered another attack. Not true, says Ross' buddy DJ Khaled.

"He's good. It irritates me in the game sometimes how people will throw rumors out there about health issues. You don't play with health issues," Khaled said when he appeared on"RapFix Live" on Wednesday. "He had that one situation and he's been great from that day. Actually I think he's healthier, because it was a wake-up call for all of us."

During a November episode of BET's "106 & Park" Rozay explained that the first set of seizures, that he suffered while trying to board two separate flights, were a result of sleep deprivation. "Being the fastest-growing label in the game, wanting to be the #1 label in the game, it comes with a lot of sacrifices, and in my case it was sleep," he told show hosts Terrence J and Rocsi. "I would get two hours of sleep and keep moving. Me being a hustler."

After Rozay missed an April 8 performance in Houston and reportedly canceled an overseas show in Guyana, reports began to swirl that the Maybach Music Boss suffered another seizure. "Nah, there were no new seizures or nothing. When people were hitting me up I was like, 'Wow,' " Khaled said. The charismatic DJ says that after hearing the rumors, he immediately called Ross and got all the confirmation he needed. "He's good and he's making amazing music and he's great," he said.

Check back with MTV News on Monday for a special Maybach Music,/ Rick Ross edition of Mixtape Daily!

What's your favorite Rick Ross song? Tell us in the comments!

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Nas Toasts Rick Ross' 'Stay Schemin' ' Sample

16 Apr 2012 12:08:56 EDT

'That's what hip-hop is — we take pieces of this and that and make it new,' Nas says of track featuring Drake, French Montana.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

On Nas' classic 2001 battle track "Ether," the Queens, New York, rap great issues a challenge. Of course there's the one he threw to then-rival Jay-Z, but that's old news. In the song's first verse, God's Son declares that he's the "truest" and then dares rap fans: "Name a rapper that I ain't influence."

Nasir's artistic reach may be hard to quantify, but every now and then you can see the Don's musical DNA embedded in new rap material. Take Rick Ross, Drake and French Montana's "Stay Schemin,' " for example: The song's melodic hook is a direct lift from the unreleased "Stay Schemin' Stay Dreamin'."

"It's a big record," Nas told "RapFix Live" host Sway when he appeared on the show last month.

On the original Nas version, which was recorded in the late 1990s, the veteran MC sings of a jealous foe who's plotting against him. "Lookin' back at times, when I had on my shines, you were standing there/ I never tried to dis you, you didn't need your pistol, why'd you have to take it there," he starts off in the first verse.

For the updated version, Ross recruits Bronx rapper Montana to lay an interpolation of Nas' old-school hook. "Stay schemin', n---as tryna get at me," French harmonizes in homage.

Nas says that the new record reflects rap's sample culture, and ultimately he is a fan. "That's what hip-hop is — we take pieces of this and that and we make it new. That record's crazy."

How do you think Rick Ross' "Stay Schemin' " holds up against Nas' original? Tell us in the comments!

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