LOS ANGELES -- [artist id="2000082"]Rick Ross[/artist] was all grins as he shook hands and mingled with the likes of Ice Cube and David Banner at the VMA Radio Forum on Friday. The Bawse has a special role in this year's VMA ceremony -- we'll keep that a surprise for Sunday. But Ross will tell you that he's humbled just to be a guest this year.

"My [first] VMA experience, it was a couple years back. I had just released 'Every Day I'm Hustlin'.' I had a cool year and I went. The first performance I saw was Pharrell and Ludacris' 'Money Maker,' " Ross said, recalling the 2006 VMAs. "I was actually sitting next to Jay-Z. The whole time we was in the auditorium, Jay had a little runner that was squatting between the chairs bringing us Ace [of Spades champagne]. So we was sipping champagne at the VMAs. It was dope. But at the same time, I was inspired. I was looking at the situation, realizing how much work I had to do. To first make it on [the same] stage where I was watching Ludacris and Pharrell. Then to make it to the level where Jay was, just sitting back enjoying it. Champagne running back and forth."

Ross has already guaranteed that [article id="1647495"]2010 will be "the dopest" VMAs[/article] ever because of his participation in it, the show's host and the elaborate set.

"Just to be a part of this year's VMAs in any capacity ... I'm still humbled because I know it's so much more to do. So much more to accomplish, so much, so many more bigger things. Just being at rehearsals, it was a reminder. Like I said, it was like I stepped off a ship in Pandora [when I saw the set]. All white, the choreography, Chelsea Handler is on fire. It's dope."

The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET.