Still “Hustlin,” Rick Ross' 'Port of Miami' set to debut

By Patrick Luce Jul 13, 2006, 16:49 GMT

The opening shot from Rick Ross’ ubiquitous street anthem “Hustlin’” says it all. From ruling the underground rap scene in Miami, to generating an all-out bidding war between the most powerful labels in the game, to becoming the most buzz-worthy artist in all of hip-hop, Ross has lived and defined his now infamous calling card: “Everyday I’m Hustlin’.”

A haunting ode to Miami’s dark underworld, “Hustlin’,” and the star-studded remix featuring Jay-Z and Young Jeezy, has grown from mixtapes and clubs in Ross’ beloved Dade County to a nationwide smash, with a ringtone well on its way to platinum.

Now, Ross follows with the Cool & Dre-produced banger “Blow.” Already exploding in the clubs and in the streets, “Blow” picks up where “Hustlin’” left off, celebrating the spoils of the fast life with it’s chant-along chorus “Mo’ cars, mo’ clothes, mo’ money means mo’ dough to blow!” The second single from Ross’ highly-anticipated Slip N Slide/Def  Jam debut ‘Port Of Miami’ – set for an August 8th release – “Blow” impacts at radio on July 24, with a Benny Boom-directed video to follow shortly.

Sporting production from the likes of Cool & Dre, fellow Miami native DJ Khaled, Jazze Pha, Akon and the team that brought you “Hustlin’,” The Runners, ‘Port Of Miami’ is the sound of a moment, defining a place and time.

With tracks like the opener “Push It,” which borrows its soundscape from the Scarface theme “Push It To The Limit,” and “Cross That Line” featuring Akon, ‘Port of Miami’ brings the listener on a ride through the mean streets of  Ross’ native Carol City, a Miami worlds away from the sun-drenched glamour of South Beach. Along for the ride are artists like Lil’ Wayne on “I’m A G,” Mario Winans on the ladies choice “Get Away,” Lyfe Jennings on “It’s My Time,” Ross’ hometown group the Carol City Cartel on “It Aint A Problem,” and of course Def  Jam labelmates Jay-Z and Young Jeezy on the “Hustlin’ (Remix).”

Aside from the heat generated by the oncoming Port Of Miami, Ross has been putting in work, slinging crack verses on Dre’s “Chevy Ridin’ High, DJ Khaled’s “Holler At Me,” and a slew of other street bangers. The results have catapulted Ross into the most talked-about and sought-after artist in the country. On August 8, the 6’2”, 300-pound bearded giant known to the rap world as Rick Ross may just become the biggest.