Rick Ross Reveals His First Rap Name In The 4th Grade

BYErika MariePublished on January 31, 20233.2K Views

2022 ONE MusicFest

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 08: Rapper Rick Ross performs onstage during Day 1 of the 2022 ONE MusicFest at Central Park on October 08, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

His nickname derived from a famous 1980s film, and you'll never guess which one.

Fans love a good "before they were famous" story, and this one arrives courtesy of Rick Ross. The Florida mogul has floated at the top of the Rap game for some time, but he comes from humble beginnings like other aspiring artists. Rozay sat down with The Crazy Sexy Cool Show and detailed his first Rap group in the fourth grade. The host wanted to know what the young rapping Ross's name was.

He paused briefly before admitting, "It was a wack name. I don't even want to say it."

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 07: Rapper Rick Ross performs onstage during 2022 InvestFest at Georgia World Congress Center on August 07, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

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With a bit of coaxing, Ross decided to tell the world. That is before showing off a tattoo with his previous moniker.

"It's Willow," he said apprehensively. "And where that came from was, it was a film with the short, fat dude. And, you know, everybody know me as 'Will,' and they was like, 'Yo, you Willow.'"

Ross was referencing the 1988 classic fantasy film Willow starring Warwick Davis. "I was like, 'Yo, that's wack," Ross added.

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He further said that his Rap group didn't even have a name because "we was wack... We was a wack group."

Thankfully, his previous name didn't stick. Check out Rick Ross revisiting his earliest Rap memories above.

About The Author

Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.

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