“These motherf—–s mad that I’m Icey!” is what Rick Ross screamed to an excited crowd of producers, artists and songwriters at the BMI Urban Awards in Los Angeles. Even the executives in custom-tailored, pin-striped suits jumped from their seats when Ross’ smash hit single “BMF” accompanied by bass drums permeated the auditorium at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.
It’s hard to believe that the former corrections officer who was once the target of a 50 Cent-induced smear campaign and recently sued for $10 million for illegally using the name of infamous drug dealer, “Freeway Ricky Ross,” could have an album that debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 selling almost 200,000 copies in its first week. Why can’t the über-successful businessman and critically acclaimed rapper-producer-actor like 50 Cent, who built his career on tearing down others, touch the “Teflon Don?” If the airwaves and blogosphere serve as indicators of which artist is hotter right now, Ross is indeed, the new sheriff in town. –marqueta smith
