There’s been an ongoing dispute between ex-drug kingpin “Freeway Ricky Ross” and rapper Rick Ross over use of the “Rick Ross” name.? It appears that while the rapper was working his 9 to 5 as a corrections officer, it was Freeway Ricky Ross who was living the life that he now raps about in his songs.
The “Real” Rick Ross is now gearing up for a lawsuit against “Rapper” Rick Ross (real name is William L. Roberts II) claiming that his name is being “exploited and misused”
In a press release blasted out recently, The “Real” Rick Ross explains:
RICK ROSS READY FOR WAR TO RECLAIM HIS NAME
Since his release from a life sentence in federal prison May 4, 2009, Ricky D. Ross a/k/a ?Rick Ross?, the ex-drug kingpin from LA, has been preparing to go to war against all parties who profited off of his name unlawfully while he was in jail, without his consent, particularly William L. Roberts II, Def Jam, Universal and others. As the above-named parties gear up to release the 4th ?Roberts as RICK ROSS? album titled ?Teflon Don?, a storm is brewing in the real ?Rick Ross? camp against the anticipated album imminent summer release.
It?s no secret that the Boss at Freeway Enterprise. com is unhappy with how his name has been exploited and misused since he went to prison in 1995, and in 2006, the above-named parties signed Roberts to a big record deal and then spent, and made, millions off Ross? name. Rick Ross protested the exploitation and misuse of his name from prison in 2006, by having a lawyer send letters to Def Jam to cease use, which they ignored.
The above-named parties branded Roberts as ?RICK ROSS? and dominated use of the real Rick Ross? name,created Roberts false drug dealer image and based it on Rick Ross? real drug dealer image, in the Black, urban crime, and rap community. Roberts? breakout hit
(Everyday I?m) Hustlin was about him falsely being this rapper and drug dealer named ?RICK ROSS?, and with the financial backing of the above-named parties, Roberts became a rap star, and Rick Ross got nothing. If Rick Ross was still in jail, the story would be over!However Rick Ross is out of prison, and he?s ready to stand up for his rights.
Billed by Rick Ross? camp and legal team as ?The War Against the 4? (Def Jam, Universal, Roberts and more), ?The Thriller of the
Dealers?, ?The ?Real? vs. the ?Rap? Deal?, this summer promises to give us exciting times in the rap music business as Rick Ross ?fights the power? for control of his name in commerce ?by any means necessary?!The real ?Rick Ross? has been actively touring urban America spreading his message, and motivational speaking to at-risk youth, the hood, ex-offenders, and recovering addicts, about the powers of redemption, and he spoke at the annual Savior?s Day as a guest of
Minister Louis Farrakhan. A movie about his life, written by producer Nick Cassavettes, is slated for release next year.