There've been a slew of rap game birthdays lately. Alicia Keys celebrated her born day on Friday, Lil Jon's was yesterday and now it's The Bawse's turn for cake. Turning 37 today, Rick Ross' impressive career boasts a plethora of solid songs and verses. He's overcome criticism, beef, literal shots and even two seizures to become one of the best in the game currently. He's also created one of it's strongest teams with Maybach Music Group. To commemorate his birthday, HNHH has narrowed down 25 of Rozay's best tracks.
Self Made Vol. 1
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
25. Play Your Part feat Meek Mill, Wale & D) (2011)
Self Made Vol. 1
With Meek Mill and Wale showcasing their skills, this was the first track to feature the Maybach Music Group head honcho's new team.
Port of Miami
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
24. Push It (2006)
Port of Miami
Rozay fittingly serves up his coke-manisfeso over a sample of Paul Engemann's 1983 tune "Scarface (Push it to the Limit)".
Ashes to Ashes
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
23. John Doe (2010)
Ashes to Ashes
Everyone knows The Bawse loves his features, but he did more than hold his own with this heavy-bass anthem from the Ashes to Ashes mixtape.
Port of Miami
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
22. Hustlin (Remix) feat. Jay-Z and Young Jeezy (2006)
Port of Miami
Despite the original being outstanding (it's featured later in this list), Ross wanted more. So he enlisted Jay-Z and Young Jeezy.
Gallery 13
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
21. In Cold Blood (2009)
Deeper Than Rap
Rozay literally says "50 you better watch it" as he spits line after line of venom at 50 cent like a dilophosaurus. An incredible song from a close a stellar album.
Deeper Than Rap
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
20. Yacht Club (2009)
Deeper Than Rap
Ross steps away from the gangster-beats and bass-heavy tracks to spit rhymes about the good life over piano-laced production.
Gallery 12
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
19. I'm Not A Star (2010)
Teflon Don
The perfect opening to a critically lauded album, this short, anthemic jam laid out a perfect platform for Ross, with a crisp sound, outlandish boasts, and gritty wordplay.
God Forgives, I Don't
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
18. 3 Kings (2012)
God Forgives, I Don't
How does one prove he's one of the best in the game? By going toe to toe with two of the best to ever do it. And Rick Ross did exactly that on this track with Dre and Hova.
Gallery 19
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
17. Mafia Music (2009)
Deeper Than Rap
Rick Ross just does his thing with clever wordplay and hard-hitting bars. Four vicious minutes of verses.
Teflon Don
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
16. Aston Martin Music (2010)
Teflon Don
This track is a breezy, irresistible smash hit which features Drake on the hook.
Teflon Don
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
15. Free Mason ft. Jay Z (2010)
Teflon Don
Ross manages to hold his own alongside Jigga on the perfectly laid-back vibe produced by the Inkredibles.
Deeper Than Rap
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
14. Magnificent feat. John Legend (2009)
Deeper Than Rap
The first single off the album, Ross goes full-throttle over a J.U.S.T.I.C.E League-produced track.
Deeper Than Rap
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
13. Maybach Music 2 feat. Lil Wayne, Kanye West, T-Pain (2009)
Deeper Than Rap
Featuring Lil' Wayne, Kanye West and T-Pain, this is the first sequel in the Maybach Music series. Despite all the big names, Ross' verse manages to stick out.
Teflon Don
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
12. Live Fast Die Young feat. Kanye West (2010)
Teflon Don
This track had more significance for Yeezy than Rozay, but the latter still managed to hold his own despite West snapping on his verse and creating an epic beat.
Deeper Than Rap
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
11. Valley Of Death (2009)
Deeper Than Rap
Fun fact: This soul-sampling track was meant for Jay-Z, but Ross took it from him instead, using it to fire shots at rival 50 cent and dismiss C.O accusations.
God Forgives, I Don't
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
10. Sixteen (2012)
God Forgives, I Don't
At eight minutes and sixteen seconds, this song is lengthy but worth every listen. It's an elegant, silky-smooth track featuring Andre 3000, and finds both artists at their best.
God Forgives, I Don't
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
09. So Sophisticated (2012)
God Forgives, I Don't
Ross couldn't help but be overshadowed by Meek Mill on this track, whose verse had everyone on his tip.
Deeper Than Rap
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
08. Usual Suspects feat. Nas (2009)
Deeper Than Rap
Featuring Nasir Jones, the summery production on this track allows the Bawse to cook up a lyrical offering filled with sparring lines like, “If you follow physics nigga, money never float/Meaning every day I’m living, try to stay afloat.”
Teflon Don
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
07. MC Hammer feat. Gucci Mane (2010)
Teflon Don
Another summer scorcher, this time with Lex Luger's raging synths and bass-heavy sound. The Bawse roars through the song and Gucci is unforgettable.
God Forgives, I Don't
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
06. Diced Pineapples feat. Wale and Drake (2012)
God Forgives, I Don't
Without even being released as a single, this track managed to find its way to the Billboard charts and spawned numerous remixes.
Trilla
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
05. Maybach Music (2008)
Trilla
Hov and Rozay team up again to flaunt their achievements in verses that are filled with wit, wordplay, and humor.
Port of Miami
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
03. Hustlin' (2008)
Port of Miami
The track that catapulted Ross into the mainstream, the Bawse still follows his hustling mantra. From viral videos to leaks to scene-stealing features, Rozay is always hustlin'.
Gallery 6
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
04. Black Magic (2012)
Self Made Vol. 2
This was the track. Everyone was hyped on Meek Mill and he delivered by absolutely killing it on this song. Rozay wasn't far behind.
Self Made Vol. 2
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
02. Power Circle (2012)
Self Made Vol. 2
The opening track on the second Maybach Music Group compilation album. Rozay's verses are good, but nothing spectacular. The reason it's on this list is because of the crew he's brought together and the collective talent displayed on this track. It doesn't hurt to have King Kendrick feature either.
Teflon Don
It's Yo Birthday: Rick Ross Edition
01.B.M.F feat. Styles P (2010)
Teflon Don
This street anthem from Teflon Don solidified Rozay's stance as one of the best in the game. With Lex Luger on production, Rick Ross delivered what is possibly his biggest and best summer smash.