From Teflon to Boss: The Rise of Rick Ross and When He Finally Blew Up
Rick Ross, born William Leonard Roberts II, is an American rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, and record executive. He first gained mainstream success with his hit single, “Hustlin’,” which was released in 2006. But how old was Rick Ross when he blew up? Let’s dive into his background and musical career to find out.
Rick Ross was born on January 28, 1976, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He grew up in Carol City, Florida, and attended Miami Carol City Senior High School. After graduating, he attended Albany State University on a football scholarship, but he dropped out to pursue a career in music.
Ross began his career as a rapper in the late 1990s under the stage name Teflon Da Don. He was signed to Suave House Records but was dropped after the label went bankrupt. Ross then signed with Slip-n-Slide Records, where he released his debut album, “Port of Miami,” in 2006.
“Port of Miami” was a critical and commercial success, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and selling over 187,000 copies in its first week. The album featured the hit single “Hustlin’,” which peaked at number 54 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
At the time of the release of “Port of Miami,” Rick Ross was 30 years old. This means that he was not a young rapper when he blew up, but he had been honing his craft and building a following for over a decade.
After the success of “Port of Miami,” Ross continued to release hit albums and singles. He released “Trilla” in 2008, which featured the hit singles “The Boss” and “Here I Am.” The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling over 198,000 copies in its first week.
Ross continued to release successful albums throughout the 2010s, including “Deeper Than Rap” (2009), “Teflon Don” (2010), “God Forgives, I Don’t” (2012), and “Rather You Than Me” (2017). He also collaborated with other artists, including Jay-Z, Drake, Lil Wayne, and DJ Khaled.
Today, Rick Ross is one of the most successful rappers of his generation, with a net worth of over $40 million. He has won several awards, including BET Hip Hop Awards, BMI Urban Awards, and ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards.
In conclusion, Rick Ross was 30 years old when he blew up with the release of his debut album, “Port of Miami.” Although he was not a young rapper when he achieved mainstream success, he had been building his career and cultivating a loyal fan base for over a decade. Today, Rick Ross is a successful rapper, entrepreneur, and record executive, and his impact on the hip-hop industry will be felt for years to come.
