Celebrity Favorites: Chad Ochocinco

When NFL standout-turned-reality star Chad Ochocinco puts on his Beats by Dre headphones, his playlist includes plenty of local talent.

He cited Miami transplant Lil Wayne and homegrown MC [artist id="2000082"]Rick Ross[/artist] as favorites. The charismatic football player was effusive in his praise for the Teflon Don lyricist.

"Right now, Rick Ross, he's hot," Ochocinco told Mixtape Daily. "He's doing his thing. He's from Miami, like me, born and raised. We grew up in similar situations; we grew up in the same area. And his career is blossoming."

That, it certainly is. Ross recently announced that he signed a deal with Warner Bros. Records for his Maybach Music Group collective, which includes new affiliates Wale, Meek Mill and Pill.

The 305 MC is working on a compilation project called [article id="1659745"]Self Made[/article] that will highlight the full MMG roster, the rap group Triple C's and R&B singer Masspike Miles.

"We are thrilled to be in business with Rick Ross," Warner Bros.

Records CEO Todd Moscowitz said in a statement. "We were drawn to his hustle. Ross is an entrepreneur who built his company from the ground up. He's a music magnate, a lightning rod and an empire builder. Our partnership with him is about building a brand that endures. We back his vision all the way and are ready to give him the resources he needs to pursue that vision."

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