RICK ROSS

Miami's Rick Ross is one of the biggest bosses in the rap industry, both literally and figuratively. His tattoos and his lyrics bring the stories of the streets to life. His debut single, "Hustlin" in 2006 embraces Miami's darker side. Ross, real name William Roberts, grew up in Carol City, Florida, an impoverished northern suburb of Miami. Influenced by artists like Luther Campbell and the Notorious B.I.G., Roberts formed local rap group the Carol City Cartel and began rapping in the mid-'90s. He took his rap name from legendary Los Angeles gangster "Freeway" Rick Ross. After a brief stint on Suave House Records, he ended up on Miami-based Slip 'N' Slide Records, the label home of Trick Daddy and Trina.

A bidding war ensued once "Hustlin" caught the ear of the music industry, offers many label executives including Bad Boy CEO Sean "Diddy" Combs and The Inc. president Irv Gotti. Nonetheless, Def Jam president and veteran rapper Jay-Z signed Ross to a multi-million-dollar deal. The Miami anthem "Hustlin" went on to receive gold status from the RIAA in May 2006 and sold over a million ringtone units before the physical release of his debut album, Port of Miami. Released in August 2006, Ross' debut went to number one on the Billboard album chart. Several other critically acclaimed albums would follow including Trilla, Deeper Than Rap, and 2010's the Teflon Don album featuring the hit single "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)."

Ross's collaboration are a virtual who's-who of rap, urban and pop music with features from Jay-Z, Drake, Mary-J Blige, Kanye West, Erykah Badu, John Legend, Chris Brown, Cee-Lo Green, T.I. and Future included on his albums.

Ross cemented his place as a bonafide pop star who has transcended rap with verses on Lord's "Royals" Remix and appearing with electronic producer Skrillex on the Suicide Squad film soundtrack cut "Purple Lamborghini," which went on to receive a Grammy nomination for Best Song Written for Visual Media.