The Evolution of Rick Ross

Rozay didn't become a bawse overnight.

The Evolution of Rick Ross - Today, July 28, Rick Ross finally drops his fifth studio album, God Forgives, I Don't. It's the latest highlight in Ross' incredible journey—filled with No. 1 records, platinum plaques, his Maybach Music Group taking off, surviving a near-fatal health scare, and much more. Click on take a look back at Rick Ross' unstoppable hustle through the years. (Photo: Joe Kohen/Getty Images)

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The Evolution of Rick Ross - Today, July 28, Rick Ross finally drops his fifth studio album, God Forgives, I Don't. It's the latest highlight in Ross' incredible journey—filled with No. 1 records, platinum plaques, his Maybach Music Group taking off, surviving a near-fatal health scare, and much more. Click on take a look back at Rick Ross' unstoppable hustle through the years. (Photo: Joe Kohen/Getty Images)

Born to Lead - Rick Ross was born William Leonard Roberts II in Coahoma County, Mississippi, but grew up in Carol City, Florida, near Miami. He later attended historically Black college Albany State University on a football scholarship.  (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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Born to Lead - Rick Ross was born William Leonard Roberts II in Coahoma County, Mississippi, but grew up in Carol City, Florida, near Miami. He later attended historically Black college Albany State University on a football scholarship.  (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

3-0-5 Connect - When Ross took on rap, he named himself after the infamous L.A. drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, who later sued him unsuccessfully for copywright infringement. The Bawse was originally signed to legendary Houston label Suave House, but his career didn't take off until he inked with Miami powerhouse Slip-N-Slide, also home to Trick Daddy and Trina.(Photos from left: John Ricard / BET,Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

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3-0-5 Connect - When Ross took on rap, he named himself after the infamous L.A. drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, who later sued him unsuccessfully for copywright infringement. The Bawse was originally signed to legendary Houston label Suave House, but his career didn't take off until he inked with Miami powerhouse Slip-N-Slide, also home to Trick Daddy and Trina.(Photos from left: John Ricard / BET,Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

Grind Time - Ross broke through in true kingpin fashion with the 2006 trap-rap anthem "Hustlin'," which propelled his first album, Port of Miami, to a No. 1 debut on Billboard. (Photo: Courtesy Island Def Jam Records) 

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Grind Time - Ross broke through in true kingpin fashion with the 2006 trap-rap anthem "Hustlin'," which propelled his first album, Port of Miami, to a No. 1 debut on Billboard. (Photo: Courtesy Island Def Jam Records) 

Bossin' Up - Rozay did it again with 2008's Trilla, which topped the charts off the strength of singles "Speedin'" and "The Boss" and guest appearances from Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and other all-stars.   (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

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Bossin' Up - Rozay did it again with 2008's Trilla, which topped the charts off the strength of singles "Speedin'" and "The Boss" and guest appearances from Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and other all-stars.   (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

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Officer Ricky - In July 2008, The Smoking Gun published photos and documents that proved that Rick Ross, who frequently rapped about his drug kingpin past, had in fact worked as a corrections officer in the '90s. Four years later, his suspect past is a thing of the past as Ross is one of the hottest MCs in the game. (Photo: Mediatakeout.com)

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Character Flaw - In 2008, entertainment muckrakers The Smoking Gun unearthed documents and photos that showed that Rick Ross was a corrections officer at the South Florida Reception Center for 18 months in the early '90s. Ross initially denied the accusations, but eventually came clean. Many thought this would destroy Ross' hip hop credibility. (Photo: Courtesy mediatakeout.com)

50 v. Rick Ross - Hmmm. This is an interesting one. Because Rick Ross was "exposed" as a corrections officer and clowned in various 50 Cent-helmed Web videos, one might argue Ross lost. But actually, after the battle, Rick Ross's star power increased. His music has gotten better and his label, Maybach Music Group, is one of rap's hottest. 50 Cent's music and label, G Unit, on the other hand? Not so much. 50 SCORE: DRAW (Photos from left: Joe Kohen/Getty Images, Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

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Cops & Robbers - Rick seemed to take subliminal shots at Fif on "Mafia Music" in early 2009, reportedly in response to 50 mean-mugging him at the BET Awards. 50 struck back with "Officer Ricky (Go Head, Try Me)," and it was on. The two exchanged a series of diss tracks and humorous web clips for months. Many thought 50 emerged victorious in the battle, but with Ross' subsequent successes, the Miami rapper in some ways won the war. (Photos from left: Joe Kohen/Getty Images, Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

10. Rick Ross feat. T-Pain, Lil Wayne and Kanye West, "Maybach Music 2" - "Maybach Music 2" shows the birth of a Bawse. A mission statement of sorts, the song lays out Rozay's sky-high aspirations with an all-star cast and an impossibly opulent, cinematic beat, the real debut of MMG's trademark lush sound.  (Photo: Courtesy of Maybach Music Group)

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Turning Point - When Ross dropped Deeper Than Rap in April 2009, it was clear that he'd emerged from the correction officer controversy and his 50 Cent beef unscathed. Not only did the album debut at No. 1 yet again, but Ross had stepped up his game musically, spitting with more gravitas than ever over lush, cinematic sounds from J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and the Inkredibles. (Photo: Courtesy Maybach Music Group)

Teflon Don July 20, 2010  - Ross drops his fourth album Teflon Don on Warner Brothers/MMG. With a star-studded list of guest appearances from the likes of Drake, Erykah Badu, Kanye West, Styles P and Cee-Lo, Ross delivers his best album to date.

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Untouchable - Ross broke his impressive streak of No. 1s when 2010's Teflon Don debuted at No. 2, but no matter: Musically, the album showed Rozay in top form, his baritone at its most ferocious, the beats indulgently larger-than-life and his Depalma-esque crime-boss imagery fully restored.  (Photo: Courtesy Maybach Music Group)

Rick Ross (@rickyrozay) - TWEET: "#thebossback… stonger than Ive ever been.. richer than I ever wuz.."Rozay announces his return after a health scare earlier this month. (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

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Team on the Rise - Ross showed that "Bawse" was more than just a catchphrase when his Maybach Music Group label began to emerge as a powerhouse in 2011, bringing major breakthroughs for Wale and Meek Mill. Self Made Vol. 1 was one of the best label compilations in years, and Wale's Ambition landed at No. 2 and made us forget his disappointing debut. (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

Photo By Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup

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Summer Jammin'June 5, 2011 - Earlier this month, Rick Ross performs at the annual Hot 97 Summer Jam concert at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. Next stop? L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium for the BET Awards! Make sure you tune in on June 26 at 8P/7C. (Photo: PNP/WENN)

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Health Scare - Ross' reign almost came to an end when he suffered two strokes midflight while traveling to Memphis. The rapper was administered CPR and tweeted that night that he was OK. (Photo: PNP/ WENN)

Photo By Photo: PNP/ WENN

On the Scene - Rick Ross, who celebrated his 36th birthday on Jan. 28, is busy gearing up for his big Feb. 23 concert in Washington D.C. The show, also featuring Def Jam label-mate Jeremih, will take place at Dar Constitution Hall. Ross is also looking forward to the 2012 release of his next album, God Forgives...I Don't. 

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CEO of the Game - Rozay pushed back his next album, God Forgives, I Don't, after his health scare and instead dropped the mixtape Rich Forever in January, led by the hit single "Stay Schemin'," featuring French Montana and Drake.(Photo: Jlnphotography/WENN.com)

Put in Work - In 2012, MMG issues volume 2 of its Self Made compilation series, which tops Billboard's rap charts. And, once again, Wale gives stellar performances, this time on the tracks "Power Circle," "This Thing of Ours" and "I Be Puttin On." (Photo: MMG)

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MMG Reups - Rick Ross and his MMG army rolled deep yet again by dropping a sequel to Self Made this past June. The album proved once again that Maybach Music had become arguably the most talented, hyped-up crew in hip-hop.(Photo: Courtesy of MMG)

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At Long Last - After months of delays and false starts, Rick Ross finally dropped the feverishly anticipated God Forgives, I Don't, today, July 31. With lush production and Ross at his gruff best, the album should keep the Bawse in a corner office even longer. Kiss the ring.(Photo: Courtesy of MMG)