drug kingpin Ricky Ross suing rapper Rick Ross (who is playing Governors Island w/ J Cole, Diddy & Dirty Money, more)

July 2, 2010

by BBG

Would you confuse these two men?

California ex-drug kingpin Ricky “Freeway” Ross filed a trademark lawsuit against rapper Rick Ross in a California Federal Court on Friday June 18. According to the Miami New Times blog, Ross is suing the rapper for stealing his name, image and likeness to create a successful rap career. …Ross and his lawyer Melvin Sharpe Jr. are also suing Maybach Music — rapper Rick Ross’ label — Universal Music Group Recordings, Slip-N-Slide Records — the independent label the rapper first signed to before signing to a major — and Jay-Z, who was President of Def Jam Records when rapper Rick Ross signed to the label in 2006. – [Billboard]

Maybe “Freeway” Ricky Ross is trying to get at the dough that the Miami MC will make at the Power 105.1 show at The Beach at Governor’s Island on August 22nd. There, the former prison guard (named after a drug dealer?) will join up with Diddy & Dirty Money, Ciara, Kelly Rowland, Keri Hilson, Bobby Valentino, Fat Joe, Maino, and others. Tickets are on sale at noon today (7/2).

Also on board is Jay-Z prodigy J Cole, who recently released a new video for “Who Dat” available below. The MC will drop his as-yet untitled Roc Nation debut this October, which features contributions from Pharrell, Jim Jonsin, and Salaam Remi though the bulk of the production was handled by Chicago producer (and Kanye West mentor) No I.D.. Look for that.

That J Cole video, as well as a few others are below…

J. Cole – Who Dat