Rick Ross Defends Bidding War Move, "I Had An Opportunity To Sow My Royal Oats"

Southern rapper Rick Ross has reflected on his decision to bring his newly-formed Maybach Music Group to Warner Bros. Records despite having a solo deal with Def Jam earlier this year.

While Rozay is still under contract with Def Jam, he believed that bringing his team to Warner was a true boss move.

"You know, as a boss you gotta make certain things happen and that's what I was able to do," Ross explained in an interview. "Me, as a solo artist, we're still at Def Jam Records, I have another album or two [to release due to contractual obligation]. But me being an executive, me being a boss, Maybach Music, I had an opportunity to sow my royal oats. We needed a situation that understood that we could make music at a much quicker rate than a lot of people do. And I wanted to put out music at that same rate. I think it's obviously, since we closed the deal, maybe a little more than two months later, here we are today, Self Made in stores. It's constant meetings and discussions and attorney hours. I got great relationships over at Def Jam, so I was pretty much getting my words across. It basically just came down to what was best for Maybach Music and Warner." (RapFix)

Earlier this year, reports claimed Ross' MMG imprint piqued the interest of powerhouses like Def Jam and Interscope Records.

Apparently, all the powermove business talk Rozay teased me with in Miami rings true. Besides the impending signings of Wale (I heard the deal went through yesterday, but now I can't get anyone to confirm) and Meek Mill to his imprint, he's being courted by the music industry's bosses for MMG. Inside sources have told me the players include: Jay-Z's Roc Nation/Sony; Birdman's CMB; Lyor Cohen and the good folks at Warner; and Diddy and [Jimmy] Iovine at Interscope. (Rap Radar)

Despite having an opportunity to join manager Diddy at Interscope, Ross eventually brought his team to Warner in February.

Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group has found a place to park. After meeting with various labels, the Miami rapper has signed a deal to bring his roster of talent to Warner Bros. Records. "Its official!!!!!! @maybachmusicgrp has partnered with Warner Bros!!!!!!!!!!!s/o Lyor Cohen..Tod..Joey I.e..dallas..and mybrother GucciPucci," tweeted the Bawse in the early hours of Saturday. "Deal of the CENTURY!!!!!!!!!!!!! #MMG #WB." While details have yet to be announced, the deal is expected to include distribution, marketing, and promotion for artists Ross signs to his imprint. (Rap-Up)

His group's Self Made compilation debut is currently en route to land on the sales chart next week.

Columbia's Glee Cast Volume 6 will debut with between 80-85k, while Maybach/ Warner Bros.' Maybach Music Group Presents: Self Made, Vol. 1, the Rick Ross-founded label previously with Def Jam, will do in the 50-55k range. (HITS Daily Double)