William Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), better known by his sta… Read Full Bio ↴William Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross. Ross founded the record label Maybach Music Group, on which he released his studio albums Deeper Than Rap ,Teflon Don, God Forgives, I Don't, Mastermind, Hood Billionaire, Black Market, Rather You Than Me, and most recently Port of Miami 2.

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.

Off The Boat
Rick Ross Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Testify on my nigga, I'ma blow up your house
For the last few years, I had control of the south
When you head up north, he the one with the coke
French Montana, straight off the boat

(I get it) straight off the boat
(I need it) straight off the boat
(I get it) straight off the boat

(I need it) straight off the boat
(I get it) straight off the boat
(I need it) straight off the boat
(I get it) straight off the boat
(I need it) straight off the boat

(I get it) 8 grand a piece
(I get it) 8 grand a piece
(I need it) 5 grand a piece
(I need it) 5 grand for me
(We got it) New York niggas
(We got it) down south niggas
(Don't doubt it) all real niggas
(Don't doubt it) all real niggas
We 'bout it

This that heroin flow, I should've signed to Atlantic
I get it fresh off the boat, I get it 'cross the Atlantic
I just fired my banker, now I just rubberband it
Should I cop me some acres? Should I cop me some candy?
I hear voices all in my head, bricks all in my spirit
Fuck you do with that bread? Bitches all in my ear
I done counted a dollar, then I counted a million
Then I looked up to God like what the fuck is this feeling
I got a rush for that life, I had a bitch out the projects
She used to package the white and bring me back my deposit
I'm talking 8 grand a piece, I'm in the floor with the Lakers
I'm talking 8 grand a seat, Louie sneaks with no laces

(I get it) straight off the boat
(I need it) straight off the boat
(I get it) straight off the boat
(I need it) straight off the boat
(I get it) straight off the boat
(I need it) straight off the boat
(I get it) straight off the boat
(I need it) straight off the boat

(I get it) 8 grand a piece
(I get it) 8 grand a piece
(I need it) 5 grand a piece
(I need it) 5 grand for me
(We got it) New York niggas
(We got it) down south niggas
(Don't doubt it) all real niggas
(Don't doubt it) all real niggas
We 'bout it

Maybach on Monday, Testarossa on Tuesday
My wide body on Wednesday but my boat is my beauty
All my Friday's Ferrari, like to pull out my jewelry
If you work with the judge, better pray to the jury
I got put in a rental, and I'm strapped like I'm Boobie
Had more guns in the car than the whole state of Missouri
Get it straight off the boat, yeah my life is a movie
Got a three story mansion, big saltwater Jacuzzi
Get it straight off the boat, she get it straight off the plate
Appetite disappeared, but it ate off her face
Now they tapping my phones, wanna give me the RICO
Speaking Spanish to papi, tryna get them for cinco

(I get it) straight off the boat
(I need it) straight off the boat
(I get it) straight off the boat
(I need it) straight off the boat
(I get it) straight off the boat
(I need it) straight off the boat
(I get it) straight off the boat
(I need it) straight off the boat

(I get it) 8 grand a piece
(I get it) 8 grand a piece
(I need it) 5 grand a piece
(I need it) 5 grand for me
(We got it) New York niggas
(We got it) down south niggas
(Don't doubt it) all real niggas

(Don't doubt it) all real niggas
We 'bout it

Overall Meaning

The song "Off The Boat" by Rick Ross feat. French Montana talks about the drug trade and the different roles played by the characters involved. Ross raps about having control of the south for the past years and how French Montana is the one with the coke when they head up north. They both rap about their success in the drug trade and the amount of money they make from it. The chorus speaks about getting the drugs straight off the boat and the different amounts of money they get for it based on the region. The verses describe the opulent lifestyles they lead, with Ross talking about firing his banker and Montana talking about his three-story mansion and Ferrari.

The song is a clear display of the glamorization and glorification of the drug trade. Ross and Montana boast about the amount of money they make, the cars they own, and the women they have. The money has made them feel invincible, and they talk with disregard towards the law and the dangers that come with the drug trade. The chorus repeats the phrase "straight off the boat," implying that their drugs come directly from the source, mostly likely referring to South America, where most of the cocaine comes from.

In contrast to the chorus, the verses provide a glimpse into the harsh realities of the drug trade. The voices in Ross's head and the bricks in his spirit speak to the psychological toll of the drug trade. Montana mentions the fear of being caught and the pressure of being monitored by the authorities. The contrast between the chorus and the verses highlights the duplicity of the drug trade, where the allure of wealth and success comes with the fear of death and imprisonment.

Line by Line Meaning

Testify on my nigga, I'ma blow up your house
If you betray me, I'll take revenge on you.

For the last few years, I had control of the south
I've been dominating the southern drug market for some time.

When you head up north, he the one with the coke
When you go to the north, he's the one who has the cocaine.

French Montana, straight off the boat
French Montana is from Africa and recently moved to the US.

(I get it) straight off the boat
I acquire the drugs as soon as they are imported.

(I need it) straight off the boat
I depend on those imports to maintain my business.

(I get it) 8 grand a piece
I sell each unit for $8,000.

(I need it) 5 grand a piece
I need to purchase each unit at $5,000 to make a profit.

(We got it) New York niggas
We have a lot of customers in New York City.

(We got it) down south niggas
We also have customers in the southern states.

(Don't doubt it) all real niggas
Everyone working in my organization is trustworthy and authentic.

This that heroin flow, I should've signed to Atlantic
My drug business is so profitable, I could've pursued a career in the music industry.

I get it fresh off the boat, I get it 'cross the Atlantic
I import the drugs directly from Africa via the Atlantic Ocean.

I just fired my banker, now I just rubberband it
I don't trust banks, so I keep my money in cash and secure it with rubber bands.

Should I cop me some acres? Should I cop me some candy?
Should I invest in property or spend my earnings on luxury items?

I hear voices all in my head, bricks all in my spirit
I feel the weight of my illegal activities on my conscience.

Fuck you do with that bread? Bitches all in my ear
I have a lot of money, but too many people are bothering me for it.

I done counted a dollar, then I counted a million
I came from humble beginnings, but now I'm extremely wealthy.

Then I looked up to God like what the fuck is this feeling
Despite my wealth, I feel conflicted about my lifestyle.

I got a rush for that life, I had a bitch out the projects
I'm addicted to the dangerous lifestyle of drug dealing, and used to date someone from a low-income neighborhood.

She used to package the white and bring me back my deposit
My ex-girlfriend used to help me package and sell cocaine.

I'm talking 8 grand a piece, I'm in the floor with the Lakers
I sell each unit of cocaine for $8,000 and can afford to attend a Lakers basketball game.

I'm talking 8 grand a seat, Louie sneaks with no laces
I can afford an $8,000 seat at a basketball game and wear designer sneakers without laces.

Maybach on Monday, Testarossa on Tuesday
I like to drive expensive cars on different days of the week.

My wide body on Wednesday but my boat is my beauty
I drive a luxury car on Wednesdays, but am most proud of my expensive boat.

All my Friday's Ferrari, like to pull out my jewelry
On Fridays, I like to show off my expensive Ferrari and jewelry.

If you work with the judge, better pray to the jury
If you are corrupt and work with a judge, you should hope to be judged by an impartial jury.

I got put in a rental, and I'm strapped like I'm Boobie
I got caught by the police and am now renting a car while carrying a gun like a movie character named Boobie.

Had more guns in the car than the whole state of Missouri
I was carrying an excessive amount of guns in the car when I was caught.

Get it straight off the boat, yeah my life is a movie
I don't just acquire drugs from other countries, my entire life is like a movie.

Got a three story mansion, big saltwater Jacuzzi
I live in a luxurious three-story house with a large outdoor Jacuzzi.

Get it straight off the boat, she get it straight off the plate
I import drugs directly, while others acquire them locally.

Appetite disappeared, but it ate off her face
I have lost my appetite, but my drug addiction has deteriorated the face of my girlfriend.

Now they tapping my phones, wanna give me the RICO
Police are listening to my phone calls and want to charge me with racketeering.

Speaking Spanish to papi, tryna get them for cinco
I'm speaking Spanish to my supplier, trying to get the drugs for $5000 each instead of $8000.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Karim Kharbouch

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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