“Freeway” Ricky Ross
“Freeway” Ricky Ross

Rapper Rick Ross
Rapper Rick Ross

Former Drug King Pin “Freeway” Ricky Ross has filed a $10 million dollar lawsuit against rap artist Rick Ross for exploitation

 

By Brandon I. Brooks
Sentinel Entertainment Editor

Rap artist Rick Ross, has been hit with a $10 million dollar lawsuit filed by legendary ex-convicted crack cocaine dealer, “Freeway” Ricky Ross, who claims the successful rap star stole his name and image to make millions in profit at his expense.

The original “Freeway” Ricky Ross gained national notary in the 1980’s as being a South Los Angeles drug king pin who at the time was rumored to pull in a few million dollars on a “good day” of drug sales.

Last year, after ending a 20 ñyear prison sentence on cocaine trafficking charges, the real Freeway Ricky Ross has been focused on getting his life back in order and his name cleared of a blemished past.

“I did 20 years in prison and beaucoups of money went into making this name and what it is today. I feel it was mine, I own it and I want it back,” he said. “It’s mine. It’s like if somebody stole your car, even though they painted it and put wheels on it that they like, it’s still your car.”

The real Ricky Ross says he feels cheated and he is asking for $10 million dollars in damages and half of the rapper Rick Ross’ royalties.   He also wants the fake Ricky Ross to stop using his name image and likeness in his act.

Fox 11 news reports that the two parties have spoken and the rap artist Rick Ross’ camp feels he can win the case but that they are willing to settle out of court.  The real Ricky Ross says it is too late in the game for that.

Rap artist Rick Ross, real name William Leonard Roberts, is a former college drop-out and prison guard who has been blazing the radio airwaves over the last few years after signing under the guidance of legendary rap artist Jay-Z.  With Jay-Z co-signing the rap star it was only a matter of time before stardom came knocking at the rappers door and we all know that with stardom comes lawsuits.

The rap artist responded to the lawsuit saying in an exclusive interview with AllHipHop.com, “We just gonna let the people deal with that. It’s like owning a restaurant, you’re gonna have a few slip and falls. You get lawsuits, you deal with them, and get them out your way…sometimes you lose.”

The rapper Rick Ross also denied that he was changing his name to “Ricky Rozay,” a tag he’s been using lately, most recently during the 2010 BET Awards.

P. Diddy has even taken interest in the rap star as he recently signed the rapper to a management/partnership deal.  Diddy can be seen on many YouTube clips co-signing Rick “Rozay” and even calling out haters on the artist’s behalf.

“That’s my Twitter name, so hit me up on twitter @RickyRozay,” the rapper Ross told AllHipHop.com.  “I just got on Twitter so shout out to all my followers.”

The rap artist Rick Ross is set to release his new album Telfon Don due out in stores this week. With 50 percent of song royalties up for grabs in the Ross lawsuit, it’s safe to say that even the real Rick Ross would like to go platinum this time around.