Weeks ago, hip-hop’s elite gathered in a mid-town Manhattan hotel ballroom around the genre’s reigning boss – Rick Ross — in a show of unilateral respect and branding force befitting a man of his burgeoning stature. The occasion: the announcement of a July 31st release date for the most-anticipated album of 2012, Ross’ long-awaited God Forgives, I Don’t. Ever the consummate business man and boss, Ross used the occasion to promote upcoming releases from his growing Maybach Music Group empire; Self-Made 2, the solo debut from Meek Mill, and more.
Though his past four solo albums have debuted at #1, in the past year Ross’ stock has risen faster than ever. The arrival of his instant-classic mixtape ‘Rich Forever’ — a self-released behemouth that some are calling the best rap of the year thusfar — and the constant barrage of new material, features and online content that he and his MMG cohorts flood the streets with daily, has taken Ross to a new level.
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“We believe that Rick Ross is among the elite; one of the most talented and compelling artists in the industry,” said Def Jam Recordings president Joie Manda. “He’s done an amazing job of building his brand and image, and together with Def Jam’s promotional muscle and marketing savvy, we intend to elevate Ross’ stature across the board. It’s an exciting time to be in the Rick Ross business.”
