Rapper Rick Ross narrowly avoided death Monday morning after being targeted in a drive-by shooting in Miami, and now is advised to up his security. After all, he is a big target.
Ross, 37, also known as Ricky Rozay, is world renowned as a rapper and performer with a big attitude and an even bigger gut, but has also been rumored to have been involved in more incriminating activities as well. The validity of these rumors is unclear, as Ross is at times criticized for his prior occupation as a corrections officer and for coining his stage name after the actual former drug trafficker, Rick Ross. Regardless, the incident proves that Ross needs to watch his step.
According to MTV, last month, members of the Gangster Disciples posted several videos online threatening to shut down Ross's out-of-town tour dates. It's unsure whether these threats are connected to the shooting, however speculations are being thrown around. One thing is clear though: Ross needs to be careful.
Brian Miller, of RapRadar.com told MTV that he thinks "the next step for Ross to take is security. Lots and lots of security. Certain artists just can't do things that regular people can do."
Violence is nothing new to hip-hop. Events such as these always bring back haunted memories of the ongoing battle between the East Coast and the West Coast. The unwarranted war of the 1990s resulted in the deaths of celebrated rappers Tupac Shakur, from Compton, and Brooklyn's finest Notorious B.I.G. It's a war that has simmered over the decades and that no one with good intentions is eager to rekindle.
It can't be said that Monday's events are related to any feud within the music industry, but although there are currently no suspects, rumors and speculation will continue to circulate until the matter is put to bed.
Ross survived his brush with death Monday morning, but it certainly is a wakeup call for the big giant. With the level of celebrity he's achieved in an industry that's constantly associated with violence, there's no shame in taking more cautionary procedures.
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