Follow The Leaders: Rick Ross
Rick Ross is ready to show why they call him "The Boss."
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Follow the Leaders: Rick Ross - Rick Ross is known throughout the industry as "The Bawse" and he's ready to show and prove why at the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards. As one of Miami's most notorious trap rap icons it's only right for Rozay to take the stage and put on a little show. To see where Rick Ross came from and where he's going, click on to peep some of the highlights of Rick Ross's journey to the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards. (Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images for BET)
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The M-I-A - When Ross took on rap, he named himself after the infamous L.A. drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, who later sued him unsuccessfully for copyright infringement. The Bawse was originally signed to legendary Houston label Suave House, but his career didn't take off until he inked with Miami powerhouse Slip-N-Slide, also home to Trick Daddy and Trina. Photo: Annette Brown/Getty Images)
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Rozay Hustles Hard - Rozay's debut album, Port of Miami, spawned the 2006 classic trap-anthem "Hustlin'" and put Miami rap back on the map. If it wasn’t obvious before the album hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts, it soon became clear that Rick Ross was about to hustle and grind to his way straight to the top. (photo: John Ricard / BET)
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Trillville - The follow-up to Port of Miami was Rozay's incredibly successful Trilla. His sophomore album debuted at the top of the Billboard charts just as its predecessor thanks to the T-Pain assisted track "The Boss" and the lead single "Speedin'." (photo: John Ricard / BET)
Photo By photo: John Ricard / BET
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It's Official: Maybach Music Group - In 2009, Rick Ross took his position as a rapper to the next level and founded the Warner Brothers record label imprint Maybach Music Group. Since MMG was founded, Ross has signed artists such as Pill, Stalley, Wale and Meek Mill among others. (Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)
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Third Time Is a Charm - After the correction officer controversy and beef with 50 Cent, Ross dropped his third studio album, Deeper Than Rap, in April 2009. It was at this time that any and all of his haters had to be quiet because like his first two albums, this album debuted at No. 1! Oh, and the Bawse stepped his game all the way up lyrically and musically with the lush, cinematic sounds from J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and the Inkredibles. (Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)
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Still a Winner - Just a year after the release of his third studio album, Rozay released the follow-up,Teflon Don. Even though the album title was under scrutiny from the family of John Gotti who was known by the name, it still went on to debut at No. 2 on the Billboard charts. The album featured appearances by, Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Chrisette Michele, Trey Songz, Kanye West and a plethora of other R&B and hip hop stars. (Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)
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Major Health Scare - Ross's reign almost came to an end in October 2011 when he suffered two seizures in a day, both occuring midflight while traveling to Memphis to perform for a show that evening. The rapper was administered CPR and tweeted later that night that he was OK. (photo: John Ricard / BET)
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The MMG Empire - In 2011 Self Made Vol. 1 was released as a way to showcase every member of Rick Ross's team. It featured the infectious Meek Mill and Rozay track "Ima Boss" and let every member of MMG shine. He made sure that his team had a strong follow-up in 2012 with Self Made Vol. 2 after announcing that ex-B2K member, Omarion aka Maybach O would be joining the MMG fam. This album spawned the sexy hit "Bag of Money" and let Maybach O shine with the Rozay-assisted "Let's Talk." (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)
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He'll Be Rich Forever - In the wake of his health scare, Rick Ross pushed back the release of his fifth studio album. Instead of rushing it, he released the wildly popular and successful mixtape Rich Forever at the top of 2012. The title track featuring John Legend was a hit, but the song that had everybody mobbin' to at the club was "Stay Schemin," featuring Drake and French Montana. (Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)