S. Samuel
Miami's Rick Ross may have to take his mind off hip-hop newcomer Kreayshawn dissing him these days as rap veteran Ice-T has now called out the "Boss" for using multiple notorious names without consent.
Admitting former drug kingpin Freeway Ricky Ross is a close friend, Ice-T blasted Ricky Rozay for stealing his name.
“That’s fake,” Ice-T blurts out. “Rick Ross stole a n****’s name. I call him ‘Identity Crisis.’ He thinks he’s [Freeway] Rick Ross, he thinks he’s Larry Hoover, he thinks he’s Big Meech, he thinks he’s MC Hammer, he thinks he’s Tupac. Like, who the f*ck are you really, dude?” Ice continues, “When we rapped about dope– me, Snoop and everybody–it was like we doin’ it because we GOT to. Now these n***** is actin’ like it’s somethin’ that’s FUN. It’s so easy to fantasize about it. To actively do it? That’s a whole ‘nother f*ckin’ thing. (Vh1)
Last year, Freeway Ricky Ross filed a lawsuit against Rozay over the name dispute.
Ross has officially filed the suit in federal court in California to the tune of $10 million. He claims the Boss stole his name and identity and wants to stop the sale of his album. Along with Ross, the ex-con also names Jay-Z, Def Jam, Universal Music Group and Vivendi in the suit. Ricky reportedly asserts trademark and his rights of publicity in seeking an injunction that would prevent the rapper from using the “Rick Ross” name or releasing any albums using it. He also says that the U.S. Patent and Trademark officehas refused to let the rapper trademark the name. (XXL Mag)
Freeway’s nephew/rapper, Slim da Mobster, previously addressed Ross’ usage of the name.
“So for me, it just be funny when I hear a n*gga use somebody that I actually know’s name and it comes to [known] for one, [Rick Ross] was a cop or a C.O., police, worker, whatever. Now you’re confusing people with this picture you painted. That’s like you painting a picture and me takin’ credit for it. That’s like your picture with my signature at the bottom of it. That ain’t cool. When you’ve sat in prison for over 20 years for this sh*t, I don’t want anybody using my name unless you’re along those lines or you’re of that caliber.” (Hip Hop DX)
Despite the criticism and lawsuit, Ross still won the legal battle.
“just got update on lawsuit filed against me….injuction to stop release of my album has been denied!!aka tossed out!!..teflon don july20…,” Ross wrote Friday (July 2, 2010). (Rick Ross’ Twitter)
Check out Freeway Ricky Ross speaking on Rick Ross below:
