The Evolution of Rick Ross

Rozay didn't become a bawse overnight.

Born to Lead - Rick Ross was born William Leonard Roberts II in Coahoma County, Mississippi, but grew up in Carol City, Florida, near Miami. He later attended historically Black college Albany State University on a football scholarship.  (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
3-0-5 Connect - When Ross took on rap, he named himself after the infamous L.A. drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, who later sued him unsuccessfully for copywright 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.(Photos from left: John Ricard / BET,Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Grind Time - Ross broke through in true kingpin fashion with the 2006 trap-rap anthem "Hustlin'," which propelled his first album, Port of Miami, to a No. 1 debut on Billboard. (Photo: Courtesy Island Def Jam Records) 
Bossin' Up - Rozay did it again with 2008's Trilla, which topped the charts off the strength of singles "Speedin'" and "The Boss" and guest appearances from Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and other all-stars.   (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)Officer Ricky - In July 2008, The Smoking Gun published photos and documents that proved that Rick Ross, who frequently rapped about his drug kingpin past, had in fact worked as a corrections officer in the '90s. Four years later, his suspect past is a thing of the past as Ross is one of the hottest MCs in the game. (Photo: Mediatakeout.com)

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3-0-5 Connect - When Ross took on rap, he named himself after the infamous L.A. drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, who later sued him unsuccessfully for copywright 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.(Photos from left: John Ricard / BET,Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

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