SR710: SR710 Ross, Rick; recognize

26 LC 129 0735 Senate Resolution 710 By: Senators Jones of the 10th, Wicks of the 34th, Orrock of the 36th, Jackson of the 41st, Anderson of the 43rd and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Rick Ross; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Rick Ross, born William Leonard Roberts II, is a Grammy-nominated rapper,2 empire builder, luxury tastemaker, community leader, and cultural powerhouse whose vision3 has helped shape hip-hop’s evolution over the last two decades; and4 WHEREAS, Rick Ross exploded onto the scene in 2006 with his bre akout hit “Hustlin,”5 which went platinum, and later followed with several critically acclaimed albums including6 Port of Miami, Trilla, Deeper Than Rap, Teflon Don, God Forgives, I Don’t, and Richer7 Than I Ever Been; and8 WHEREAS, over the span of his career, Rick Ross earned ten Gram my nominations;9 collaborated with prestigious artists including DJ Khaled, John Legend, The Weekend,10 French Montana, Lil Wayne, Nas, and many others; and has consistently landed at the top11 of Billboard charts, cementing his status as one of the most influential rappers of his time;12 and13 WHEREAS, outside of music, Rick Ross is a renowned international entrepreneur, working14 with brands such as Luc Belaire, AutoZone, WingStop, Checkers, and Smiles by Mario15 S. R. 710 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0735 Montoya as well as founding the Rick Ross Car and Bike Show and Maybach Music Group16 among many other successful business ventures; and17 WHEREAS, he is a two-time New York Times best-selling author for his critically acclaimed18 book The Perfect Day to Boss Up: A Hustler’s Guide to Building Your Empire and his19 memoir, Hurricanes; and20 WHEREAS, from platinum records to real estate holdings, from food franchises to premium21 brand partnerships, Rick Ross has built a sprawling empire rooted in hustle, excellence, and22 vision and serves as a true example of Black entrepreneurship. 23 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body24 recognize and commend Rick Ross for his continued music, business, and cultural impacts25 in the state of Georgia.26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed27 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Rick Ross.28 S. R. 710 - 2 -