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Where many in the Carol City district of Miami (where Rick grew up) saw few options, Rick saw the opportunity to translate his experiences into music. He came on the scene as hip-hop left its golden era behind in favor of corporate commercialism, and then helped to usher in a rap renaissance of which he has become one of the genre's most powerful voices. The way Rick explains it to me, the flash and cash his lifestyle portrays goes deeper than flagrant materialism. It leaves a roadmap for others behind him to follow — from no way out to a yellow brick road of possibilities. Even Rick's palatial Georgia residence can be dubbed rap's incarnation of The White House, with A-listers paying homage to the famous property (once owned by Evander Holyfield) on occasion. With eighty-seven singles under his belt, Rick moves through the music business with the urgency of being on borrowed time. Not since the late Tupac Shakur has an artist been quite so cognizant of, nor vocal about, his own mortality, and for good reason. Witnessing the loss of life has been a constant for Rick since his childhood. In recent years, Rick survived a grisly drive-by shooting and multiple life-threatening seizures. He's emerged more prolific than ever with his tenth studio album, Port of Miami 2 and the release of his new book, Hurricanes: A Memoir. From sleeping in his car in the early 2000s while doggedly pursuing the American dream, to holding tremendous clout among the most successful artists of the moment, Port of Miami 2 features guest appearances by Swizz Beatz, Meek Mill, the late Nipsey Hussle, John Legend, Lil Wayne, and Drake. The relationship between Rick and Drake goes back nearly a decade, when Rick showed tremendous support for Drake's career after the release of his early work, with the breakout mixtape So Far Gone. The two have been allies and collaborators since. The focus of our conversation was Rick's memoir, Hurricanes, and the rags to riches story he loves to illustrate for his fans. You come across as nostalgic in your memoir, Hurricanes. If you could travel through time and bear witness to the making of any classic album, which one would you love to be a part of? Rick Ross: A rap album? That would have to be Paid In Full with Eric B. and Rakim. Rakim was such a supreme lyricist and B. was the epitome of a DJ/dope boy. They were the center of style and fashion with their Gucci suits on the album covers, sitting on the hood of a Mercedes Benz S550. It was the epitome of what rap music really represented. Generational wealth or artistic legacy… which means more to you? RR: Generational wealth, without a doubt. You've had some close calls between your health issues and an attempt that was made on your life. What was the greatest lesson or insight gained from those experiences? RR: Ha! Something just ran across my mind, and I want to say that if it was the end, I would want to make sure I smoke all the roaches down until they're by my fingertips [laughs]! But it boils down to appreciating and enjoying every day. Do you believe in destiny, free will, or both? RR: Destiny, for many different reasons. When there was [sic] twenty shots fired at my Rolls-Royce, I had the audacity to go back and get my Cuban link chain. Not only did I go back to get my Cuban link chain, I went back to go get my girlfriend. It had to be destiny. It's nice that you went back for your girlfriend but thank God you didn't lose the Cuban link [laughs]. Kidding! RR: [Laughs.] What is the source of your drive and ambition? RR: Other than my DNA, it comes from my neighborhood, and being so blatantly aware of the haves and the have nots. I knew I was one of the have nots. It may not have been traumatic at all. It could have been something as simple as me not having the Nintendo with the Mike Tyson Punchout game. That was my favorite game! You're taking me back… RR: Mine too. Mike Tyson Punchout and Double Dragon. When you're the one on the block, where your friends have to bring the game and cartridges in a Winn-Dixie bag to come spend the night at your crib, you kind of know. Do you pray? And who or what do you pray to, and what do you pray for?