MAYBACH MUSIC GROUP "SELF MADE VOL. 2" TRACKLIST

UPDATE #2: Kendrick Lamar, Nas, French Montana and Bun B appear on the second installment.

As Rick Ross gears up for his next album, God Forgives, I Don't, the Miami emcee offered up some details about some of the records on his new project, as well as the next installment in the Self Made series.

During a conference call, the Bawse spoke on recording with Just Blaze, who produced the rapper's latest song, "I Love My Bitches." “I just want to tap back into that ’90s vintage Hip Hop sound… put a spin to it, and bring that back,” said Ross of the producer, notable for his collaborations with Jay-Z, and dozens of other artists.

Ross revealed that he recorded numerous songs with Just for his upcoming release, God Forgives, I Don't. "We cut a couple records," he said. "That particular record, I did those three verses in one take. Real Hip Hop enthusiasts listening to that verse closely all the way through, they can just hear how natural that shit sounded. ...It was just so vintage."

Rick Ross added that he is planning on a sequel to Self Made, Vol. 1, the Maybach Music Group compilation, which he proclaimed is coming "sooner than you think."

UPDATE #2: The tracklist for Self Made Vol. 2 has been revealed.

01. Gunplay, Stalley, Wale & Meek Mill - Power Circle f. Rick Ross & Kendrick Lamar
02. Meek Mill – Black Magic f. Rick Ross
03. Wale & Omarion - This Thing Of Ours f. Rick Ross & Nas
04. Rick Ross – All Birds f. French Montana
05. Wale & Meek Mill - Actin Up f. French Montana
06. Stalley – Fountain Of Youth f. Rick Ross & Nipsey Hu$$le
07. Wale – I Be Puttin’ On f. Wiz Khalifa, French Montana & Roscoe Dash
08. Wale & Stalley – The Zenith f. Rick Ross
09. Omarion & Wale - M.I.A.
10. Wale & Meek Mill – Bag Of Money f. Rick Ross & T-Pain
11. Omarion – Let’s Talk f. Rick Ross
12. Gunplay – Black On Black f. Ace Hood & Bun B
13. Stalley & Wale - FluorescentInk f. Rick Ross
14. Rick Ross – Bury Me A G f. T.I.

NICKI MINAJ, DJ KHALED, RICK ROSS TO HEADLINE HOT 97 SUMMER JAM 2012

Additional performers include J. Cole, Big Sean, Wale, Waka Flocka Flame, French Montana, Maino, Tyga, 2 Chainz, Mavado and more.

The lineup for Hot 97's Summer Jam 2012 has been announced.

The event, taking place at Metlife Stadium on Sunday, June 3rd, is set to feature headlining sets from DJ Khaled and French Montana, as well as Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross. Additional performers include Waka Flocka Flame, French Montana, Maino, Tyga, 2 Chainz, Mavado, Young Jeezy, J. Cole, Trey Songz, Wale, Big Sean and Meek Mill. Tickets are currently available on Ticketmaster.com.

Hot 97 previously announced that its Festival Village will feature performances from A$AP Rocky, Pusha T, Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q and Big K.R.I.T. from 2-6 p.m.

Last year's show included performances from Dipset, Lil Wayne, Drake, Chris Brown and more.

MAYBACH MUSIC GROUP ANNOUNCES ALBUM RELEASE DATES, PARTNERSHIPS AT NYC PRESS CONFERENCE

Rick Ross appeared alongside Diddy, Swizz Beatz, French Montana, Omarion, Meek Mill and Wale to reveal news about his label.

Last week, Maybach Music Group and Warner Bros. Records sent a save the date for a special press conference to take place at the Eventi Hotel in New York City. Rumors circulated that the event, hosted by Rap Radar’s Elliott Wilson, would be for the signing of Omarion and Mase, as well as release dates for Self Made Vol. 2 and God Forgives, I Don’t.

This afternoon, Ross appeared to announce several new ventures including a big and tall line with Swizz Beatz and Reebok; a June 26th release date for Self Made Vol. 2; an August 28th release date for Meek Mill’s debut Dreams & Nightmares; a July 31st release date for Rick Ross'

God Forgives, I Don't; and Omarion's signing to Maybach Music Group. With Def Jam and WBR executives including Lyor Cohen, Steve Bartels and Todd Moscowitz, as well as Sean “Diddy” Combs and Swizz Beatz, in attendance, the event began with a short film that showcased the MMG squad, which includes Rick Ross, Wale, Meek Mill and Stalley. CEO of Recorded

Music for Warner Bros. Lyor Cohen took the podium to introduce Ross, marking the first time that he’s publicly introduced an artist or label since Roc-A-Fella Records 18 years ago. “When I got a chance to meet him, I saw someone that was going to be undeterred in achieving the success that he has,” said Cohen. “He’s not satisfied. There’s no stopping him. I’m so grateful that I’m associated with him and that the Warner Bros. label is associated with him.

The possibilities that Rick and Maybach Music are going to bring is going to be, in my mind, unprecedented.”

After a short Q&A with Ross about his in-studio work ethic and social media savvy, Swizz Beatz took the podium to announce a partnership with Rick Ross for Reebok to release a big and tall clothing line.

“He’s going to lead the big and tall movement,” said Swizz. “There’s a limit with clothes that stops at a certain point. With Ross, everything has to be custom made. [...] I felt that instead of just doing a regular sneaker, we give Ross his own big and tall line.”

Diddy was next to take the stage, praising Ross’ abilities and thanking him for promoting Ciroc. “I’m here to celebrate the hard work and success of my brother Rick Ross,” he said. “He, to me, is one of the hardest working men in this business. To have a relationship with him, this is not by accident. […] I know he will go down in history as one of the great record men.”

Wale took over to announce that Self Made Vol. 2 will release on June 26th, while Meek Mill revealed that his debut album Dreams & Nightmares will drop on August 28th. Rick Ross also said that his upcoming album God Forgives, I Don’t will hit retail on July 31st and that a single will drop “extremely soon.”

Rick Ross then brought out Omarion and announced him as the latest signing to Maybach Music Group. "A lot of people have been wondering what’s up with Omarion? Is his career over?" said Omarion. "I’ve never been a fan of popular opinion, but from now on, when you see me,  understand that it’s Maybach Music." After French Montana announced the release date for his debut Excuse My French (July 17th), and that the first single will feature Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne, Omarion played his new single "Let's Talk" that samples The Notorious B.I.G.

Rick Ross said that he just "lets the rumors circulate" regarding signings, but wouldn't confirm any partnerships with Mase, Dom Kennedy or Nipsey Hussle.

OMARION TALKS RECORD DEAL WITH MAYBACH MUSIC GROUP

Earlier today, DX reported that Rick Ross announced that he had officially signed R&B singer Omarion to his Maybach Music Group. Now, XXL has caught up with the latest member of Rick Rozay's music empire to discuss how the deal came about.

Omarion said that the deal came about by accident when he bumped into Ross and asked him for a collaboration. He says that before he even got a response from Ross, the Bawse brought him aside and said that he had been wanting to sign him to his MMG roster before that. Omarion added that he and Rozay already have a number of records in stash that they will release soon.

"Yeah, Maybach O. That’s the new movement, man. I’m so excited. I can’t even express, you know, how excited I am," he said. "It’s been a blessing...I saw Ross in North Carolina, you know, and I was telling him like 'Yo I’m bout to do...you know, I need you on these records, man, you know what I’m sayin’? I’m ‘bout to do this ill so and so with so and so.' And he was like 'Man, we need to have a conversation before that.' And we sat down and he said some real important things to me that not even executives have said to me, you know what I mean? He showed that love and he showed that respect and he was like “I believe in you,' you know what I mean? I can’t even count to you how many times on my hand in my whole career that I’ve actually had people tell me that."

He added, "[We already have a number of songs] in the stash. Recorded. Probably over the next like couple months, we probably be dropping some stuff, you know. I want to do an EP just for the fans, you know. By the way, I did recently just do a DJ Drama mixtape that I dropped just for the fans, you know. Let them know I’m still, you know, doing music and everything. But, I have to say this. I have to say that this is probably the most interesting time in my life and or career because of the perception of what people think and what they do not know."

RICK ROSS PULLED OVER FOR MARIJUANA BY POLICE WHILE ON YACHT

Rick Ross gets a visit from the cops while on his yacht in Florida.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were seemingly very close to arresting Rick Ross and the rest of the people on the Miami rapper's yacht earlier this week.

TMZ reports that officers flagged down Ross' boat on Thursday (April 19) after noticing the odor of weed.

Police boarded the vessel and conducted a search, but were unable to find anything.

A representative for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission indicated that a member of Ross' crew admitted to smoking weed on board and throwing it overboard when he saw the police.

The representative indicated that because the officers were unable to find any marijuana on board, no arrests were made and there will be no further investigation.

SUGE KNIGHT THREATENS TO "BEAT THE DOG SHIT" OUT OF RICK ROSS

The quotables keeps coming with Suge Knight, as the former Death Row mogul threatened to put hands on Rick Ross.

While Suge Knight's wild speculations that Tupac may still be alive earned him a lot of publicity today, it looks like that wasn't the only memorable soundbite he dropped during his interview with 93.5 KDay. The former Death Row head honcho also threatened to put hands on Rick Ross over his song "Tupac Back."

Later in the interview with 93.5's Tattoo and Cee Cee, Suge Knight said that he will "beat the dog shit out of Rick Ross" if their paths ever cross. He explained that while he's not bitter to Rozay and actually enjoys his music, he feels it's extremely disrespectful that the MMG rapper would make a song titled "Tupac Back" when he maintains ties to Diddy, who Knight attributes to the murder of Tupac.

"I can't sit up here and say I'm bitter to Rick Ross, 'cus like anybody else, we don't know Rick Ross," Suge said. "That's a guy who uses somebody else's name. This guy comes from being a correctional officer. I don't got nothing negative [against him] personally, I just feel like he do do good music, and you can't take that from him. That boy got bars, he's gonna write…at the same time, I feel like there's a line you cross, and Rick Ross crossed that line. If you're gonna be with guy [Diddy] who killed Tupac, you can't go turn around and do a record [called] 'Tupac Back'…Rick Ross is a grown ass nigga. I'll beat the dog shit out of Rick Ross for manipulating these people out here."

Although the audio of the interview has yet to be officially published, 93.5 KDay is currently replaying the interview with Knight.

RICK ROSS' CAMP EXPLAINS PULLING OUT OF AUSTRALIA'S SUPAFEST

A rep for Rick Ross releases a statement regarding a change in the rapper's world tour plans.

Rick Ross was scheduled to headline Australia's Supafest on April 14 in Brisbane, April 15 in Sydney, April 21 in Melbourne, and April 22 in Perth, but will not be performing due to "unfulfilled contract obligations."

"Ross was looking forward to touching the people of Australia," said a representative for the Miami emcee, according to MTV's RapFix. "The event is one of [the] biggest urban festivals in Australia and he is very disappointed that he will not be performing. It is unfortunate that the payment arrangements did not meet contractual deadlines.

The Bawse isn't the only act to drop out of the show, as Diddy and Missy Elliott backed out of the event as well.

The change in schedule comes at a time when rumors about Ross' health have been heating up. On the night of a Houston concert, promoters Real Uprizing Productions told audience members that the hefty rapper suffered another seizure after having two last year. Promoters for a Guyana show that Ross also missed said that rapper's health kept him from performing.

Sources close to Ross' camp say he is healthy, and his representatives say he will make up for the canceled Guyana show

MEEK MILL TALKS HOMETOWN INFLUENCES ON MMG'S "SELF MADE, VOL. 2"

Meek Mill tells MTV that he and Wale aim to bring their respective hometowns' sounds to the next MMG record.

MTV recently caught up with Maybach Music Group's Meek Mill and Wale on the video shoot to their latest single "Bag of Money." During the interview, the Philadelphia leg of the MMG team explained how the group is approaching their upcoming Self Made, Vol. 2 LP.

Meek explained that he and Wale are making sure to bring their hometown's unique sounds into the fold this time around. At the same time, however, Mill says that it's Rick Ross who anchors the group's various sounds and styles on the latest MMG record.

"Me and Wale, we always talk all the time, and I told Wale I actually wanted to do a couple myself on a Philly type of vibe and he wanted to do something on a D.C. type of vibe," he explained. "Ross is always gonna bring a lot to the table with Self Made. I'ma say he's the ringleader of the whole Self Made movement, so we just wanted to bring our parts of the table to it so we make it...you gonna hear D.C., Philly, the South, everything all in one. We just want to give you a part of everything."

NAS SPEAKS ON COLLABORATING WITH NICKI MINAJ FOR "PINK FRIDAY: ROMAN RELOADED"

Nas says that he "loved" collaborating with Nicki Minaj for her sophomore album.

When Nicki Minaj's tracklisting for her sophomore set Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded released late last week, some were surprised to see Nas included on a song called "Champion," also featuring Young Jeezy and Drake.

Speaking with MTV News, Esco revealed that the Harajuku Barbie reached out to him for the song, which will surface on the April 3rd release. "Nicki hit us up. I got love, so it was nothin' — I did the record," he said. "It's Hip Hop music; music is music. If I feel it, I can get on it. I heard the track, I felt it, I loved it."

Additional guest stars on the LP include 2 Chainz, Cam'ron, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross. She most recently released the RedOne-produced single "Starships" and filmed its video.

RICK ROSS SIGNS ENDORSEMENT DEAL WITH REEBOK

Rick Ross is the next Hip Hop star to sign an endorsement deal with Reebok.

Ever since Run DMC rocked adidas Superstars without the laces, sneakers have been a major part Hip Hop culture. Now, Reebok is strengthening the ties between kicks and music with a new endorsement deal with Rick Ross.

According to Nice Kicks, Rozay has officially joined forces with Reebok for an endorsement deal. Collaborator and fellow Reebok signed artist Swizz Beatz broke the news over Twitter, which the Bawse confirmed on his own timeline. 

This isn't the first time that Ross has linked up with Reebok. This past summer, Rozay, Meek Mill and Swizz Beatz released a remix to "Tupac Back," titled "Reebok Back," in promotion  of Swizz's line of Reebok Kamikaze shoes.

RICK ROSS UPDATES ON MAYBACH MUSIC GROUP, PILL DEF JAM & MORE

Rick Ross discusses his past relationship with Pill and clears up rumors about problems with Def Jam.

Rick Ross recently touched down in New York to speak on many of the topics surrounding his MMG brand. The Miami emcee spoke on former MMG affiliate Pill, his own relationship with Def Jam and more.

When asked to clear up information about Pill, Ross explained that he was only obligated to work with Pill for a year.

"When I did my label deal over at Warner, Meek Mill and Wale was who I was bringing to the table," he explained to Funk Flex during his interview. "When I sat down to do my deal, they had Pill as an artist already there. They just thought he may have needed a little work or whatever and we could've got that in with the team. So, we worked out a one year situation."

He also added that he's unsure as to what Pill's future holds but maintains that his time working with Pill has ended.

"I'm not even sure if it's still going to come out through Warner," he said of Pill's album. "I'm not really sure what final decision they made with him but the year ran its course with MMG."

Ross also cleared up rumors about any problems between him and Def Jam. He noted that there was an issue over a contract renegotiation but that "it's all love."

"Me and Def Jam [are] one hundred...Over the last year, I quadrupled my net worth," he shared, before adding that he thought they needed to take another look at his deal. Apparently, it all worked out in the end.

"It's all love," he added. "We made history together but at the same time, respect the momentum. Respect what we're doing and we're going to keep getting this paper."

BOW WOW SAYS HE HAD RICK ROSS' "STAY SCHEMIN'" BEAT FIRST

Bow Wow explains how he had the "Stay Schemin'" beat first and says Jahlil is a favorite producer of his.

Bow Wow recently spoke with Tim Westwood regarding his favorite producer and had the chance to explain the story behind the "Stay Schemin'" beat. While "Stay Schemin'" is a Rick Ross track, Bow says he had the instrumental before the MMG boss.

"Jahlil [Beats], hands down right now," he said when asked about "the hottest producers right now." This also gave him the chance to explain the story of how "Stay Schemin'" became a Ross beat.

"[Jahlil's] little brother, The Beat Bully, is the dude who did 'Schemin',' which is crazy because if you look on the blog on YouTube, I had the 'Schemin'' beat first. A lot of people don't know that. Yeah, me and Meek [Mill] was working on it in the studio. I just used the beat just for the webisode series, just to play while me and Meek was in the studio."

After using it for the webisode, The Beat Bully's instrumental landed with Ross, which Bow Wow was surprised about.

"I don't know how it reached back to Ross and them but as soon as I heard it, I just went like this [putting hands on his head]. I called him. I said, 'Yo, you gave that beat to Ross?' He was like, 'I didn't know if you was gonna use it. I thought you just used it for this...' It happens."

DMX DOES NOT LIKE DRAKE, IS NOT IMPRESSED BY RICK ROSS

DMX says Jay-Z tried to get rid of him and adds that he doesn't like Drake. He also shares that he is not impressed by Rick Ross.

In a recent interview, DMX was candid about his feelings towards several emcees. The New York rapper shared that he feels Jay-Z tried to "eliminate the competition" during his time as Def Jam President. He also explained that he does not like Drake or "anything about Drake" and that he is not impressed by Rick Ross.

When speaking about Jay-Z, X said that he feels he wasn't treated fairly by Def Jam when Jigga was the head of the label.

"I see what's really good. You trying to eliminate the competition. At first you retire, then get me off the label and now you're back rapping again," he added as a guest on The Breakfast Club. "That was just some bullshit. You know what it is. That was getting rid of the competition."

Later, he was open about his feelings towards Rick Ross. X shared that he is not impressed and added that he feels Ross' subject matter is not diverse.

"I'm just not impressed," he said when a radio personality inquired about Rick Ross' lyrical skills. "He's aight, man. He talks about eating and girlfriends too much. How much can a nigga eat? How much weed can you smoke? Let's talk about something else...I see a whole 'nother side of the coin, son."

He was then asked if he liked Drake, to which he replied with a simple, "No." He then went further by saying he doesn't like anything about the Young Money emcee.

"No," he confirmed. "I don't like anything about Drake. I don't like his fucking voice. I don't like what he talks about. I don't like his face. I don't like the way he walks. Nothing."

An emcee he was complimentary towards was J. Cole, saying "J. Cole is nice." X also confirmed that he's on a new reality show with his ex-wife. He then added that he still drinks and smokes but says that he's not doing "hard" drugs. DMX also shared that he does not know how to use a computer and that he's not a fan of Twitter.

D'BANJ JOINS RICK ROSS ON NEW HIP HOP TRACK

 D’banj is putting in major work in his quest to penetrate the international market in 2012. Already he has performed his first major gig in New York at the recently held Mo’Hits concert, he’s wrapping up his fourth album ‘Mr Endowed’ and recording with G.O.O.D Music label mates for the label’s forthcoming collaboration album ‘G.O.O.D Music: The Album‘.

The pop star recently got working with popular Miami-based rapper Rick Ross on a hip-hop track owned by another Miami-based upcoming rapper Lil’ Issue. The song titled ‘V.I.P‘ sees D’banj deliver ad-libs on the chorus and outro while Ross and Lil’ Issue share verses.

Lil’ Issue has also worked with the likes of rap veteran Bun B and R&B cat Pleasure P.

Download:
V.I.P : Download

MTV CROWNS RICK ROSS AS THE HOTTEST MC

MTV releases its list of the hottest emcees in the game, including Drake, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj and more.

MTV has announced Rick Ross as the number one emcee on its Hottest MCs list.

Ricky Rozay, whose 2011 consisted of the release of his Maybach Music Group compilation Self Made Vol. 1, edged out Drake, who landed at No. 2. Kanye West came in at third, while Nicki Minaj and her Young Money boss Lil Wayne grabbed fourth and fifth place, respectively.

"I just got the news that I was voted the game's Hottest MC, and man, it really means a lot to me, of course, but it's an honor," Ross told MTV. "It's something I've been watching, something I've been a fan of forever. Of course, MTV, they run the game. MMG, we're here. Shout-out to the whole team."

Check the full list below, as well as a clip from the MTV special where the network's Brain Trust explains why Ross deserved the top spot.

1. Rick Ross
2. Drake
3. Kanye West
4. Nicki Minaj
5. Lil Wayne
6. Jay-Z
7. Meek Mill
8. Big Sean
9. Wiz Khalifa
10. Wale

RICK ROSS FIRES BACK AT ALLEGED BABY MAMA... I'M NOT THE DADDY

Rick Ross is adamant ... he didn't father a 3-year-old boy in Georgia to a destitute woman -- despite a recent paternity suit filed against the rapper -- and now, he wants to prove it ... with a DNA test.

The paternity suit was filed in Broward County by Florida Department of Revenue -- on behalf of 36-year-old Tyrisha Childers, who claims Ross knocked her up a few years ago ... and still hasn't paid a dime of child support.

According to the docs, Childers needs all the help she can get -- with zero income apart from $694 a month in disability payments. Worse, Childers claims she has absolutely no money in the bank.

But Ross filed his own response soon after -- claiming he never even slept with Childers ... let alone got her pregnant ... and he wants to prove it with a DNA test.

We've reached out to both Ross and Childers for comment -- so far, no response.

RICK ROSS RECORDING WITH TIMBERLAND, SPEAKING WITH DR.DRE

While Rozay puts in work in the studio with one legendary producer, he politicks with another. Rick Ross is bringing out the big guns.

Shortly after releasing his mixtape Rich Forever, Rick Ross has gone back to working on his fifth studio album God Forgives, I Don't. But now, Ross revealed on Twitter, he's recording with hitmaker Timbaland.

Recently, Timbo has produced for the likes of Lil Wayne, Drake, and T.I., but he has yet to record with Ross.

RICK ROSS TO RELEASE "RICH FOREVER MIXTAPE" ON FRIDAY

The Bawse impacts this Friday. Rick Ross is back to releasing new material, as the Maybach Music Group head has revealed that his upcoming mixtape, Rich Forever, will drop on Friday (January 6) at 3:05 PM EST.

The Bawse originally announced the title of the mixtape last week via his Twitter account.

In light of his health complications last year, Ross was forced to delay the release of his highly-anticipated upcoming studio album, God Forgives, I Don't.

The mixtape's official cover is pictured above.

RICK ROSS SUED BY NIGERIAN STATE FOR CANCELLED CONCERT

Rick Rozay finds himself in legal hot water after he bailed on a festival performance in Nigeria's Cross River State. Rick Ross may not forgive, but apparently the government of Nigeria's Cross River State doesn't either. The Bawse was recently slapped with a lawsuit by the Nigerian state's government for canceling a performance date at the Calabar Festival and failing to reimburse the performance fees.

According to a recent article from InformationNigeria.org, Rick Rozay abruptly cancelled his performance at this year's Calabar Festival, a nearly month-long music festival funded by the Cross River State government. In addition to failing to notify the concert organizers of his intention to cancel his performance, the Miami rapper has failed to reimburse them for his performance fees, which he had already cashed.

In response, the Cross River State government has hired lawyers within the United States to sue the rapper for breach of contract. An official statement was released by the government this past Wednesday via BlackBerry Messenger.

CROSS RIVER STATE TO SUE RICK ROSS

Organizers of the Calabar Festival have reacted to rapper Rick Ross’ cancellation of his performance which was scheduled to take place on December 28, 2011 saying the move was unexpected and they are ‘deeply saddened’ by it.

As reported earlier, Ross’ reps had stated that they cancelled their Calabar appearance last minute, due to ‘unfulfilled contractual obligations’. But a statement released by the organizers of the Calabar Festival states that the Miami-based rapper had ‘confirmed a receipt of his entire performance fee many weeks ago’.

‘Cross River State and its agents have retained counsel in the United States to pursue their legal and monetary remedies against the artist’, the statement on their official website reads. ‘The Calabar Festival concerts raise money for many charities across Nigeria. The performance by Rick Ross was scheduled to raise significant amounts for the Destiny

Child Centre Charity’, it further reads. The show, yesterday, still went on despite Ross’ absence as fans gathered to watch the other headliners Psquare, Wizkid, Banky W, OJB Jezreel and others at the U.J Esuene stadium.