May 2, 2012 – When Maybach Music Group calls a press conference, you can be sure that big things are going down. And when one of the biggest labels in present-day Hip-Hop calls a press conference you can be sure that Hip-Hop elite will be in the building to support. Parlé Magazine was on hand for a series of announcements by Rick Ross and his Maybach Music Empire. There were a couple of surprises, a few release dates, but all around, it was just a great day for Hip-Hop.
Ross took the podium next, clad in all Black, except for his giant diamond encrusted chain and bracelets that glimmered with every flick and flash of the cameras that lined the walls of the room. Ross thanked everyone for showing up and supporting, then the afternoon’s mission continued.
Up next was producer and entrepreneur in his own right, Swizz Beatz. He was there to not only help honor Ross, but to announce a partnership between Rick Ross and Reebok. Swizz who partnered with Reebok last year, will provide Ross the unique opportunity to launch his own Big & Tall line through Reebok. Swizz complimented Ross on his love for art, and said it was the two men’s love for Basquiat and painting that helped connect them on a business level. The Big & Tall line allows Ross to display his love for art and “express all his fashion.”
Diddy ended his appearance by announcing that Ciroc had officially signed Rick Ross for an endorsement deal of the vodka. While Ross had been supporting the brand for years, now he’ll actually receive a check to do it.
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(clockwise Diddy, Lyor Cohen & Swizz Beatz join Ross)
At that point the special guests left the stage and it was time to highlight the Maybach Music crew. Stalley, could not be at the press conference because he is currently overseas on tour, “building the brand” according to Ross. First to emerge was Wale, announcing that the Maybach Compilation Self Made 2 would be in tours on June 26th. The release would be the first of many highly anticipated releases from the crew. However those anticipating a new release from Wale will have to wait until the “top of January.”. The first single off the compilation album is “Bag of Money,” which features T-pain. Ross says this album will be better than the original Self Made simply because, ”
We spent a lot more time on this project.”
Next up was Meek Mill, the eagerly anticipated rookie out the crew. His fans would be excited to hear his announcements. Not only does he plan on releasing the mixtape follow-up, Dream Chasers 2, on May 7th, but he will also release his debut album, Dreams & Nightmares on August 26th. While he is still recording for the project, an official single release should be expected in June.
Not to be out done, Rick Ross had a release date of his own to announce for his highly anticipated fifth major album release, God Forgives, I Don’t. Album of the year? We’ll get a chance to see on July 21st. The album he promises will feature none of the music fans have gotten from Ross in the last year months, it will be all completely new, unreleased content.
Ross confidently boasts this is the best material of his career. God Forgives, I Don’t is ” a very dark story, extremely lyrical, the music is the next level,” he broke down for the room. “That’s why I was able to put out on a mixtape like Rich Forver cause I knew this body of work would be about more than hot beats and rhymes.”
The event seemed to be coming to an end, but Ross had one more announcement to make. Rumors had been swirling around that Maybach Music had signed a new acquisition to the label. Seems they have. And just like that, from the back of the room appeared Omarion. He seemed to be taking the announcement and turning point in his career in, as he seemed to walk up to the podium in slow motion. When he finally got to the mic, he dramatically exclaimed, “Today, I become a made man.”
Ross explained the signing saying that once the two men met, “He [Omarion] played me, maybe a dozen records and I was amazed by the music he was working on. He’s a phenomal entertainer and a great dancer.”
So it was true, Omarion, aka Maybach O was the newest face of the Maybach Music Group. His first single, “Let’s Talk,” which features Ross will be released soon. A preview of the video was shown to the crowd, solidifying to announcement and sealing the biggest announcement of the day.
The press conference had one more guest appearance from French Montana. Though he is not signed to Maybach Music Group, he is a Maybach affiliate and Rick Ross will serve as Executive Producer of his debut album, along with Diddy. Montana took a moment to announce the release of his album as well, Excuse My French hits stores on July 17th.
And just like that, it was over. The biggest day in Hip-Hop so far this year with the attention of just about every one who cares about the culture. Rick Ross and Maybach Music are at the top of the game and if this press conference and the announcements made today are any indication, they’ll be on top for a long time.
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