William Leonard Roberts II was born in Coahoma County, Mississippi and raised in Carol City, Florida, near Miami After graduating from Carol City Senior High School, he later attended the historically black college Albany State University in Albany, Georgia.
After being signed to Suave House Records, former label for rap duo 8Ball & MJG, he eventually signed a deal with Slip-n-Slide Records, which has been under the Def Jam umbrella since 2006. While signed to Slip-n-Slide, Ross toured with fellow rapper Trick Daddy and made guest performances on other Slip-n-Slide rap albums
His debut album Port of Miami was released in August 2006 and debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200 album chart, with sales at 187,000 units after its first week
In March 2008, his second album Trilla was released and, as its predecessor Port of Miami had, debuted at the top of the Billboard 200.[8] Its lead single "Speedin'" featuring R. Kelly peaked at #121 on the Billboard Hot 100; the next one, "The Boss" featuring T-Pain peaked at #17 on the Hot 100. The third single "Here I Am" featured Nelly and Avery Storm
Deeper Than Rap is the third studio album by American rapper Rick Ross, released April 21, 2009 on his label Maybach Music Group and Slip-n-Slide Records, with distribution from Def Jam Recordings. The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 158,000 copies its first week. Singles from the album were: Mafia Music, Maybach Music II, Magnificent, & All I Really Want.
Teflon Don is the fourth studio album by American rapper Rick Ross, released July 20, 2010 on Maybach Music Group and Def Jam Recordings. Production for the album took place during 2009 to 2010 and was handled by several record producers, including Clark Kent, No I.D., The Olympicks, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Lex Luger, Danja, The Inkredibles, The Remedy, and Kanye West
The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 176,300 copies in its first week. It attained some international charting and produced three singles with moderate Billboard chart success. Upon its release, Teflon Don received generally positive reviews from most music critics, earning praise for its cinematic production and Ross's lyrical persona.
Ross has signed Pill, Meek Mill, & Wale to his label Maybach Music Group. In 2010 Rick Ross made an offer to rapper Wiz Khalifa to sign to Maybach Music Group but he decided to sign with Atlantic instead.
Game Ain't Based on Sympathy
Rick Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember they used to give us that free cheese
Give you the big block of that shit
Yeah, man I'm glad y'all ain't gotta get that cheese
Man, I thank God my kids ain't gotta see that cheese
Yo (Maybach Music)
You know what I'm saying?
You gotta feed it to them raw. Feel me?"
Renovating the ghettoes, moving me elsewhere
Daddy didn't see pension they took his healthcare
Affordable housing and they fed us welfare
Showed us Tony Montana, teachers couldn't care less
A young prince in Miami, son of a Pharaoh
This is deeper than raps, I can't run from the echoes
And I still hear the screams
Under my mattress box springs, I still see the C.R.E.A.M
Mac 11 next to Grammy invitations
I'm never quiet, tell my niggas all my aspirations
No more beefing with rappers
It's just murder or nothing
New positions to master, I perfected the others
Niggas shoot for the Magic, never heard of Matumbo
These are lucrative assets, golden words are mumbled
This the biggest
Corner store was the stage, I needed management
In a mansion that I could squeeze another Phantom in
Negative people just seem to fail first
I said I'm a genius, put in the legwork
You step to my niggas, suggest you stay alert
No, I've never been lenient, nor a man of mercy
I stick my dick in her tell her my net worth
Then we stare at each other and see who catch first
A pretty chick, she resembles Stacy Dash
If it was her, she had to kiss my feet and lick my ass
Pussy nigga want war, til' it's "bonjour"
Those hitters sitting a bomb outside your mom door
Got your people alarmed cause we the armed force
Easy as leaking a song before I go on tour
Uh
Gang violence ongoing, let's fight our own wars
Chicago been out of hand, the city lost its soul
Funeral every weekend or either you cremated
Homie's son, he been murdered, he didn't seem faded
Holding guns on the gram, out of my league baby
Real killers and hitters would rather live nameless
I got a homie I know with a twenty body count
Maybe only once or twice a month he leave the house
Older brother, type to get a curly perm
Pappy Mason type respect for holding thirty birds
Never was a gangster, I just wanted in
No longer could I deny that I wanted a Benz
Booby gave me blessings and a root for me to win
I showed him my ambition in two different fields
Also, said I was a rapper, Booby here it is
Real talk my nigga, here it is
In the opening lines of Rick Ross's song, he reminisces about struggles he faced growing up, including poverty and relying on government assistance. He expresses gratitude that he no longer has to live that way and that his children won't have to either. His opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, which touches on themes of struggle and perseverance.
The second verse of the song delves into Ross's personal experiences growing up in Miami. He discusses the lack of resources and opportunity he faced, including a lack of affordable housing, subpar education, and exposure to violent media. Despite these challenges, Ross asserts his position as a "young prince" and suggests that his struggles and experiences have made him who he is today.
The remainder of the song touches on a number of topics, including Ross's success in the music industry, his disdain for beef with other rappers, the impact of gang violence on communities, and his personal motivations and ambitions.
Overall, "Game Ain't Based on Sympathy" is a reflection on Ross's journey to success and the obstacles he had to overcome to get there. The song offers a glimpse into his personal life and the struggles many people face in disadvantaged communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Reminiscing on that, uh
Reflecting on my past experiences
I remember they used to give us that free cheese
I recall receiving government assistance in the form of free food
Give you the big block of that shit
We were given large chunks of low-quality cheese
Yeah, man I'm glad y'all ain't gotta get that cheese
I'm grateful that my family is no longer reliant on government assistance
Man, I thank God my kids ain't gotta see that cheese
I'm grateful that my children don't have to experience the harsh realities I once faced
Yo (Maybach Music)
Introducing the song with my signature tagline
You know what I'm saying?
Asking my listeners if they understand my perspective
You gotta feed it to them raw. Feel me?
I need to tell it how it is without holding back, do you understand where I'm coming from?
Renovating the ghettoes, moving me elsewhere
The city is making an effort to revitalize poor neighborhoods and relocate residents like myself
Daddy didn't see pension they took his healthcare
My father lost his benefits and healthcare due to systemic inequality
Affordable housing and they fed us welfare
The government provided low-cost housing and food assistance to those in need
Showed us Tony Montana, teachers couldn't care less
My teachers didn't care about my future, instead, they glorified drug culture like in Scarface
A young prince in Miami, son of a Pharaoh
Growing up in a poor neighborhood in Miami, I felt like royalty despite the challenges
This is deeper than raps, I can't run from the echoes
My experiences and struggles cannot be put solely into song lyrics and cannot easily be forgotten
And I still hear the screams
I still hear the painful cries of those who have been affected by violence and inequality
Under my mattress box springs, I still see the C.R.E.A.M
I still remember the importance of money and how it can lead to corruption and violence
Mac 11 next to Grammy invitations
Even with my success in the music industry, I'm still surrounded by violence and danger
I'm never quiet, tell my niggas all my aspirations
I always share my goals and dreams with my close friends
No more beefing with rappers
I'm done with petty feuds with other musicians
It's just murder or nothing
It's either success or failure, there's no in-between
New positions to master, I perfected the others
I continue to evolve and improve in my career, becoming a master of new roles and responsibilities
Niggas shoot for the Magic, never heard of Matumbo
People aim for the impossible, without realizing it's unrealistic like trying to score on legendary basketball player Dikembe Mutombo
These are lucrative assets, golden words are mumbled
I have valuable resources and use my words wisely
This the biggest
This is the pinnacle of my career and success
Corner store was the stage, I needed management
I started from humble beginnings performing at a corner store, but now require help from professionals
In a mansion that I could squeeze another Phantom in
I now live in a luxurious home and have the financial means to own multiple expensive cars
Negative people just seem to fail first
Those with a negative attitude often struggle to succeed in life
I said I'm a genius, put in the legwork
I am confident in my abilities, but know that hard work and persistence are essential to success
You step to my niggas, suggest you stay alert
If anyone threatens my friends, they should be prepared for retaliation
No, I've never been lenient, nor a man of mercy
I am not known for being easy-going or forgiving
I stick my dick in her tell her my net worth
I use my financial success to attract women
Then we stare at each other and see who catch first
We play a game of seeing who gives in or falls first
A pretty chick, she resembles Stacy Dash
I'm with an attractive woman who looks like actress Stacey Dash
If it was her, she had to kiss my feet and lick my ass
If it really was Stacey Dash, I would demand she worship and serve me
Pussy nigga want war, til' it's bonjour
People may act tough, but when the real battle begins, they realize they're not ready
Those hitters sitting a bomb outside your mom door
My crew will retaliate and put someone's family in danger if they provoke us
Got your people alarmed cause we the armed force
We have a reputation for being heavily armed and intimidating
Easy as leaking a song before I go on tour
Retaliating against someone is as simple as releasing a new song before going on tour
Gang violence ongoing, let's fight our own wars
There is a persistent issue of gang violence and it's up to us to address it ourselves
Chicago been out of hand, the city lost its soul
The city of Chicago has been struggling with violence and has lost its sense of community and humanity
Funeral every weekend or either you cremated
People are dying at an alarming rate and there seems to be no end in sight
Homie's son, he been murdered, he didn't seem faded
My friend's son was killed, and the pain and trauma seems to have only intensified
Holding guns on the gram, out of my league baby
Posting pictures of firearms on social media is not something I am comfortable with or relate to
Real killers and hitters would rather live nameless
Those who are truly ruthless and dangerous prefer to remain anonymous and out of the public eye
I got a homie I know with a twenty body count
I know someone who has killed 20 people
Maybe only once or twice a month he leave the house
This person is so feared and wanted by law enforcement that they don't leave their home often
Older brother, type to get a curly perm
I know someone who is perceived as soft or feminine for trying to have curly hair
Pappy Mason type respect for holding thirty birds
Someone has earned respect and notoriety for possessing a large quantity of drugs
Never was a gangster, I just wanted in
I never had the intention of being a true gangster, but wanted the camaraderie and security it provided
No longer could I deny that I wanted a Benz
I originally tried to convince myself that material possessions didn't matter, but eventually admitted to myself that I wanted a luxury car
Booby gave me blessings and a root for me to win
A close friend provided me with encouragement and support to succeed
I showed him my ambition in two different fields
I demonstrated my desire to succeed in both music and business
Also, said I was a rapper, Booby here it is
I revealed to my friend that I am a rapper and shared my music with him
Real talk my nigga, here it is
I'm being transparent and honest with my friend
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: William Roberts, Roosevelt Harrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind