Early Life

Rick Ross grew up in Miami's Carol City section, a notoriously dangerous inner-city neighborhood. As a young child his father had abandoned him and his mother became the sole provider of the family. As an adolescent he spent much of his time hanging out and playing football in the street or listening to rap music which became influential in his life as he moved onto middle school. It was in Miami Carol City High School where he would begin to experiment with rap music, however his prowess in football would take hold. Upon graduating in 1995 Ross was awarded a scholarship to Louisiana State University, where he enrolled. He soon dropped out, however, and upon returning to Carol City Ross began to pursue his music career. He is married to Laura Haslam.

Rick Ross is sometimes criticized for glorifying drug dealer imagery especially since it is fabricated tales and exaggerations such as referencing Manuel Noriega in his song "Hustlin'" none of which he has ever actually done himself such as using many references from the movies Scarface and Cocaine Cowboys.

Discography

Albums

• 2006: Port of Miami
• 2007: Trilla

Compilations

• 2007: Rise to Power

Solo singles

• 2006: Hustlin'
• 2006: Push It
• 2007: Speedin' (feat. R. Kelly)

Featured singles

• 2002: "Told Y'all" (Trina featuring Rick Ross)
• 2006: "Holla at Me" (DJ Khaled featuring Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, & Pitbull)
• 2006: "Born-N-Raised" (DJ Khaled featuring Trick Daddy, Pitbull, & Rick Ross)
• 2006: "On Some Real Shit" (Daz Dillinger featuring Rick Ross)
• 2006: "Chevy Ridin High" (Dre featuring Rick Ross)
• 2006: "Flippin' That" (Nina Sky featuring Rick Ross)
• 2007: "Know What I'm Doin'" (Lil' Wayne & Birdman featuring T-Pain & Rick Ross)
• 2007: "Make It Rain (Remix)" (Fat Joe featuring DJ Khaled, R. Kelly, Lil Wayne, Baby, T.I., Ace Mack, & Rick Ross)
• 2007: "We Takin' Over" (DJ Khaled featuring Akon, T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Baby, & Lil Wayne)
• 2007: "I'm So Hood" (DJ Khaled featuring T-Pain, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross & Plies)
• 2007: "Brown Paper Bag" (DJ Khaled featuring Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Juelz Santana, Fat Joe, & Dre)
• 2007: "I'm So Hood (Remix)" (DJ Khaled featuring T-Pain, Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Ryhmes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross)
• 2007: "Hood Nigga (Remix)" (Gorilla Zoe featuring Young Jeezy, Big Boi, Jody Breeze, and Rick Ross)
• 2007: "Down In Tha Dirty" (Ludacris featuring Rick Ross and Bun B)
• 2007: "Hustlin' Hustler" (Simian Mobile Disco featuring Rick Ross)
• 2007: "Hundred Million Dollars" (Birdman featuring Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, & DJ Khaled)
• 2006: "Died In Your Arms Tonight" (Smitty featuring Rick Ross and Junior Reid)