“Jay-Z Gave A Blueprint To A Lot Of Young Entrepreneurs”

Maybach Music Group leader Rick Ross opens up about his appreciation for rap mogul Jay-Z and how his executive moves have inspired his own movements in the new Billboard Magazine.

Ross credits his “Free Mason” collaborator and rap star Lil Wayne for motivating his business moves.

“I’ve most definitely been a fan of Hov and his whole movement,” Ross says of Jay-Z. “He gave a blueprint to a lot of young entrepreneurs, as well as Wayne, with how active Wayne is with artists. There’s a lot of different approaches, but at the end of the day, we’ve . . . just got to be hands-on and walk our own path.” (Billboard)

In early November, Ross announced having recorded a new track alongside Jay.

“It was a case of me not getting enough rest, just not getting enough sleep so I had to fix that,” Ross added. “Since then, I’ve just been relaxing, spending time with my family, my loved ones. And you know, just taking it chill for a while — against the doctor’s orders, soon as I got home, I was supposed to be on bed rest but actually, me and Jay-Z finished the biggest collaboration that we’ve ever done together for my album [God Forgives, I Don’t]” (“106 & Park”)

Recently, the “Boss” labeled Weezy one of the hottest rappers in the game.

“Yeah, we’ll put Styles P in there, [his album] Masters of Ceremonies is in stores right now,” Ross told DJ Absolut. “I’m gonna put him in my Top 5. We’ll start off with Styles P. Then we’ll go with MMG’s own Stalley. Then we’ll go to MMG’s own Gunplay. Then we’ll go to MMG’s own Meek Mill. Then we’ll go to MMG’s own Wale. That’s my line-up. [Outside of MMG], there’s a lot of dope people making music, man. Of course you know I’m on the road with [Lil] Wayne, Drizzy [a.k.a. Drake], everybody that’s just popping, man. Shout-out to little Wiz Khalifa. That’s my little homie. He doing his thing. Of course Hov. [Kanye West]. I’m pretty much a fan of everybody that’s bringing something new to the table.” (Take This Serious)

Due to recently recovering from two seizures, Ricky Rozay has planned to delay his God Forgives, I Don’t solo album.

“The date is still tentative, December 13. [Because of] my little health situation, I had to postpone a lot of my groundwork,” Ross said in an interview. “And I feel like that’s important for artists like myself. If I wanted to, I’m pretty sure I could still meet that date, but I think for the people, it’s more important [to lay groundwork] for when I get out there and look them in the face and touch them hands — We’ve just gotta lay ground for it, and I’ma keep y’all updated.” (MTV)

Check out a recent Rick Ross interview below: