After thirteen triumphant years served in the coliseum of hip hop, Rick Ross has begun his victory lap towards rap legend. The catalyst for the leader of the Maybach Music Group’s longevity is consistency. After introducing himself in 2006 with a classic anthem (“Hustlin’”) and platinum debut (Port of Miami), the Slip-N-Slide franchise player spent the following decade plus dominating as both mogul and Top 10 scribe. While his mighty pen positioned him as peer to southern kings like T.I. and Gucci Maneand empowered him to stand bar-for-bar with the greatest to ever spit (Jay-Z, Andre 3000, Drake) and sing (Chris Brown, Usher, John Legend), Ross’ contribution to his craft and culture travels far deeper than rap. Grammy nominations and classic verses aside, “The Biggest Boss” graduated his unparalleled vision and insane work ethic from Carol City’s unforgiving corners to corner offices and corporate partnerships. Inside the music business, his MMG label catapulted the careers of future legends Meek Mill and Wale. Outside of the biz, he’s the brilliant owner of a litany of brands from spirits (Belaire, Bumbu) to comfort food franchises (Wingstop, Checkers). But after birthing nine stellar albums, Ross, like any great, has challenged himself to outdo his greatest work. He accomplishes that on his latest opus Port of Miami 2. “I felt album number 10 is a special one,” says Ross. “It’s a milestone period. It almost feels like Pac doing the double CD.”

Port of Miami 2 is the current front runner for the Grammy’s Rap Album of the Year. It is the masterpiece of a Carol City survivor turned valedictorian who returned years later to motivate alumni, faculty and graduating class. The opus will go down in history for Rick Ross diehards as a Top 3 catalogue favorite. Top 10 best MC conversations will evolve into Top 5 debates. This is the MMG general’s tipping point in stereo. “Everybody got a certain way to deliver their message,” Ross begins. “I know I’m delivering something different but it took me album ten to present that. The priorities are still the same. We just had to perfect it.”