William Leonard Roberts II, known professionally as Rick Ross, is an American rapper, musician, businessman and recording director. Prior to releasing his first single, “Hustlin '” in 2006, Ross was the subject of a bidding war, receiving offers from Diddy's Bad Boy Entertainment and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc., until his signing. Millions of dollars in plays with Jay-Z's Def Jam Recordings. Ross released his debut album Port of Miami via the label later that year, making his debut atop the US Billboard 200 album chart, with sales of 187,000 units in its first week. Ross released his second studio album, Trilla in 2008, making his debut atop the Billboard 200 again

After launching the record company Maybach Music Group, he earned MTV's Hottest MC in the Game in 2012 with his album Deeper Than Rap.