It’s old news, but I just found Rick Ross was a cop before becoming a gansta’ rap star. That’s right, Mr. Boss was a correctional officer in the early 90’s.  Not quite a real cop, but still…

As per wikipedia,

In July 2008, The Smoking Gun produced details linking Ross’ social security number to an eighteen month stint as a correctional officer in a Florida prison facility, along with a photograph purporting to be Ross in his correctional officer uniform.^[23] Ross initially denied that the photograph was of him;^[24] after overwhelming evidence of his past came into the public’s eye, Ross later admitted that he did work as a correctional officer in Florida during the early 90’s.^[25] In a 2008 interview with AllHipHop.com,^[26]“Freeway” Ricky Ross, claimed offense that Roberts used his name and identity when he learned that The Smoking Gun posted documents revealing Roberts’ previous employment as a Florida correctional officer.^[27]

The funny thing is, Rick Ross continues to have success. In my mind, that kind of news would strip any credibility he had and lose him fans.  I’m sure some left, but I think for the most part, people don’t care. Maybe people dig the character even if it’s not really him.  Like a good actor, you’re not judging him as much by what he’s really like as a person.

I go on preaching the value of authenticity and was about to throw in the towel on that idea, but I realized he’s authentic to the character.  If he’s not really himself, he pulls off his character well.  If people can still dig it even if they know it’s not true, they’ve bought into the character enough. That’s authenticity in a slightly distorted way.

I don’t know the guy nor am I a huge fan, but I hope he recovers well. 

Music Consciousness
Hoover