Twenty long years ago, Rick Ross arrived with Port of Miami, his debut album, and created an unmistakable space in the industry. At a time when rap was unimaginably competitive, Ross carved out his own lane with a precision that felt like a hunting knife. He wasn’t just making street records; he was building a cinematic world of luxury, ambition, and larger-than-life storytelling. Over the next two decades, that vision has grown into one of Hip-Hop’s most consistent catalogs, spanning platinum albums, the powerhouse Maybach Music Group, and an expanding business empire that stretches far beyond the recording studio.
Twenty Summers Later
Now, with the release of his 12th studio album, Set In Stone, Ross isn’t looking back with nostalgia, but with a clear-eyed perspective on the road ahead. During a recent conversation, the Biggest Boss reflected on those twenty summers in the game, the evolution of his mindset, and why he continues to chase greatness.
When asked if releasing an album feels different today than it did at the start of his career, Ross is emphatic. “Without a doubt,” he says. “Back then, young Rozay didn’t want to sleep. My appetite for success was burning. Every day I was hustling. That wasn’t just the record; that’s how I was living. Now, I’m giving people that perspective from the penthouse. Life got bigger. The vision got bigger. It’s way bigger than just the music now.”
Following The Vision
Ross emphasizes the importance of self-belief, noting that if he could speak to his twelve-year-old self, the advice would be simple: “Follow your heart. Can’t nobody put a price tag on your vision. Don’t nobody know what you see except you. Trust yourself.” He recalls that even as a child, he understood the disparity between those who had nothing and those who had everything, a realization that fueled his early ambition.
Despite the digital age, Ross remains a staunch advocate for physical media. “I’m trying to bring that feeling back,” he explains, referencing the days when fans would line up at stores for a new release. “People standing outside Best Buy for hours waiting on release day. I remember that. That energy? Nothing compares to it.”
No Regional Politics
Reflecting on his influences, Ross notes that he never limited himself to one sound or region. Growing up, he listened to everyone from Scarface and Ice Cube to The Notorious B.I.G., Rakim, and Jay-Z. “I never chose sides,” he says. “If the music was dope, it was dope. It never mattered where somebody was from. If it was fire, it was fire.”
As he continues to create, Ross maintains that his passion for the craft remains undiminished. “I still love this,” he says. “I still love waking up. I still love getting fly. Making music feels just like that. I’m speaking for the people that think like me. The people that know the purpose. The people that know the plan.”
