My career started from mixtapes, so me, I’m pro-mixtape. I believe in mixtapes. They help you get to a certain point, [but] once you get to a Jay-Z status you can’t do thirty records and just leak them on a mixtape when there’s a $20 million dollar advance [on the table]. - Rick Ross Is there a lead single from the album? Rick Ross: Yeah, we just dropped “Where You From,” and we’re getting a crazy response on that record. It’s Triple C featuring Brisco. It’s a real hard underground street record. It’s a represent-type song? Rick Ross: Yeah, represent where you from. That’s what it is. We’re still grinding it out, making big moves. Look out for Flo-Rida, Brisco, E-Class, Triple C, M-I-Yayo the movie. We finna kick the doors in with our label deal. We’re gonna wrap that up real soon. My next solo album Trilla is coming soon too. When y’all get that big advance for the Triple C project what are you going to do with it? [Everyone starts talking at the same time about houses, and someone states that someone blew $100,000 in three months and called him on the phone asking for $5,000] Rick Ross: It’s a new life right now. I got to stunt, feel me? On a 25/8 basis. Fuck 24/7. I gota stunt always, so I need seven [figures], eight [figures]. But we’re gonna always get more money, so that shit won’t be nothing. We’re going to get millions and more millions, and that’s what I like, ya dig? So what about you? What are you doing with your advance? Torch: Shit, man. Go harder. Can’t settle, man. Invest. That’s not a real answer. What are you going to invest in? Torch: Shit, everything. Heroin. Um, okay. How about real estate? Torch: Real estate ain’t better than heroin. If you say so. Well, going back to the album - tell me a little more about it. Rick Ross: It’s a real fire album. The beats are legendary, the production is legendary, and you know I got the biggest features that I could possibly get. If you’ve never heard of Gun Play, look out for him. Listen to him. Put your ear to the streets and you’re going to understand where he’s coming from. He’s one of the best in the game and I’m happy to be a part of this. With Torch, you know, New York is suffering right now but I’d put down a million that he’ll be the one to bring it back with his solo project. I’ma just keep it real and do my best to be a good leader and a good motivator. I tell them to stay off the drugs, save their money, and invest in things. Saving your money is the best investment ever, feel me? So y’all niggas stay gangsta. Who all did you work with as far as features and production? Rick Ross: We got the best of the best: Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Brisco, Flo-Rida, 8Ball, Boyz N Da Hood, Yung Joc, and Smitty. On the production, we
(right) The Carol City Cartel, a.k.a. Triple C’s, is more than just a rap group.
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got Cool & Dre and Don Cannon and a few others. We just mixed it up with a lot of different elements and flavors. It’s going to be the biggest street album of the year. You know, I grew up listening to that West Coast rap – this is the down South version of N.W.A. Just let the people know we coming. Lyrics, it’s nothing. Beats, it’s nothing. We’re getting the most money because we outwork niggas, man. So speaking of Don Cannon, what’s your opinion on the RIAA’s raid of the Aphilliates studio? Do you think it’s going to fuck up the mixtape game or the rap game in general? Rick Ross: No, it’s like busting a dope boy in Liberty City. That shit will still be up and running. But to keep it all the way real, I don’t even know exactly what happened. Until I talk to somebody direct, there’s a lot of room for speculation. Do you think mixtapes like the Gangsta Grillz series help or hurt an artists’ record sales? Rick Ross: Your real fans are gonna buy your album anyway. My career started from mixtapes, so me, I’m pro-mixtape. I believe in mixtapes. They help you get to a certain point, and then you control the amount of music that’s in the market through your albums. But isn’t that hypocritical if you turn your back on the mixtape game after it helps you get to the top? Rick Ross: Nah, how is that hypocritical? Once you get to a certain point, it becomes more business. Once you get to a Jay-Z status you can’t do thirty records and just leak them on a mixtape when there’s a $20 million dollar advance [on the table]. If you’re an up-and-coming artist and you need to establish yourself, like I was – and still am – I’m going to do a release with DJ Drama, DJ Khaled, and Bigga Rankin’s Real Nigga Radio. You know, I wish [mixtape DJs] the best. DJ Drama is a great businessman and he’s got a lot of great dudes around him, so I’m pretty sure they’ll be able to handle whatever the situation may be. They ain’t get caught with no heroin, and as long as you don’t get caught with heroin, you’re alright. [laughs] Hmm. Sounds like you’re speaking from personal experience. Have you ever been caught with heroin? Rick Ross: Nah. [Someone in the background says, “Don’t answer that.”] Gun Play: Man, listen. Black Flag is coming soon. Torch is one of the nicest in the muthafuckin’ world, and I’m one of the nicest in the muthafuckin’ world. I work for the big boss, Ricky Ross, Rick Rizzle, Rich Nizzle, Ricky Clause. //