Rick Ross covers the digital edition of XXL magazine for an interview in which he discusses his vintage car collection, new deluxe album and more.
Zach Wolfe for XXL Ridin High Rick Ross still feels inspired and motivated to work hard even after 20 years in the game. A serious vintage car collection, an opulent mansion and a new deluxe album prove the multiplatinum-selling rapper is richer than hes ever been. Privacy is a fickle matter when the home Rick Ross resides in pops up as Rick Ross Mansion on Google Maps. The colossal estate, formerly owned by boxing champ Evander Holyfield, sits on nearly 300 acres right off a highway in Fayetteville, Ga., surrounded by security and gates emblazoned with the rappers gold logo. Ross spent $5.8 million on the 54,000 square-foot residence in 2014. He has 109 roomsa theater, game room, bowling alley, and basketball court includedplus 25 bathrooms to navigate at any given time. Gold, bronze and ivory statues adorn the foyer. Versace dinnerware and a Hermes ashtray sit on the table in the office, tucked in by Fendi chairs. A Rolex clock hangs on the wall. Framed photos of Muhammad Ali, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol line the halls. Ross lavish property, affectionately called The Promise Land, is a sign of the success hes garnered as a result of a nearly 20-year-long successful rap career. Ross was eyeing the residence for years until one day he saw a for-sale sign and made a U-turn straight to the gate, then made an offer. He applies that same kind of boss behavior when adding another set of wheels to the massive fleet of automobiles hes collected over the years. Highlighted by a special vintage car collection. I may ride by somebody house and see a 73 or 71 Impala, make a U-turn, have one of the homies go up to they door, Rick Ross out there in the car. Interview: Images: Zach Wolfe for XXL I may ride by somebody house and see a 73 or 71 Impala, make a U-turn, have one of the homies go up to they door, Rick Ross out there in the car. They say, Stop lyin, you playin, Ross recounts as he sits in the passenger seat of his 1971 black Chevrolet Caprice Convertible in the garage at The Promise Land on a rainy day in January. Nah, thats me. What yall wanna do with this car in the driveway? So thats what it is. The Miami rap vet, who celebrates both his 46th birthday and the deluxe release of his 11th solo album, Richer Than I Ever Been today, has been an appreciator of regal and rare rides since he was 13 years old washing whips in a car wash in Miami-Dade County. He considers them to be the first status symbol. While he owns Maybachs, Rolls-Royces and more, old-school metal is his primary choice. He never discriminates either, whether its a moped or whips. Im just a fan of everything with a motor, he asserts. His collection has cracked over 100 automobiles. Even he forgets the exact number since more get added to the assortment on the regular. Luxury cruisers and fly foreigns get gassed up, but theres a certain level of care and craftsmanship that Ross takes part in before he puts the pedal to the metal in one of his prized possessions. I believe one of the major differences is anything thats brand new, I can just call on the dealer, send it right now, overnight it, the wire in the morning, you have it, he explains. These vintage joints, these classic joints, nah, its not that way. And to get em where you really want em, you gotta spend a little time, you gotta put some work in em. Its a lot of times I buy cars one owner, you know, 55, 56, 57 Bel Air, whatever it is. One owner, damn-near practically brand new. Zach Wolfe Zach Wolfe for XXL loading... Chevys have long been one of Ross favorite rides. While its a lifestyle hes living, its also ingrained in his music. Hes shown love to the classic Americana brand on countless tracks. From Boss featuring Dre in 2006 (As I'm poppin' my collar, black on black antique Impala) to Ridin Thru the Ghetto in 2014 (Convertible Impala, put in drive when I wanna/Plus Im ballin like them brothers smokin on that California), but most symbolic on Chevy Ridin High, a 2006 hometown tribute to the wheels cruising the Miami streets. You see my wrist, man, keep your pink wrist bands/She can't believe I'm in a Chevy even though I'm rich, man, Ross raps on the Dre collab. That was just a Miami thing, Ross says of the inspiration for creating the track. But not even a Miami thing, to me, thats just the culture. Once again, automobiles, old-school classics, when you was a youngsta coming up, you saw the hustlers, you know, everybody that was moving around that looked like they was really just enjoying life, you know what Im saying? Their arm was hanging out the window, no shirt on, smiling, breeze blowing they cheeks and they mouth, you know what Im saying? Niggas was living. Ah, man, thats how we gotta do it, he continues. We gotta live, you know what Im saying? And thats gon start off with whips. Ultimately, its just the way we live. Aint nothing wrong with wantin to live the way you want to live, you know? The lush life Rick Ross is living these days is documented heavily on Read more