He became one of the biggest artists in music while never abandoning that luxurious South Beach vibe throughout his entire catalog.

Those tropical steel drums and island-influenced rhythms took over the entire state – it’s our one connection.Īnd that’s what Rick Ross’ music and career embodies.

When anyone – including myself – speaks on the music scene here, what they’re really talking about is the sounds of South Florida. Their culture, style, and taste in music was the essence of that extravagant Florida lifestyle. In college at Florida State, I was surrounded by kids from South Florida many of my classmates were from some of the grimiest parts of Miami. I grew up in the Panhandle of Florida – Tallahassee to be specific – surrounded by swamps, dirt roads, and very few street lights. It truly is America’s armpit: sweaty, musty, but full of character. The reality is, most of Florida is grimy, swamp-ridden, and humid as hell. When most people think of Florida – outside of its bourgeoning young rap scene and OGs like Rick Ross, Trina, Poe Boy Entertainment, and the entire Slip N Slide family – they’re reminded of headlines about criminals and degenerates maybe some alligator incidents, and South Beach Miami.

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