Rick Ross has won a court ruling that allows him to continue using his stage name.
The rapper – real name William Roberts II – was challenged by former drug trafficker ‘Freeway’ Rick Ross over using his name and likeness.
Under the First Amendment in the United States Constitution, relating to free speech, ‘Freeway’ Rick Ross lost his $10 million lawsuit against the rapper.
‘Freeway’ Rick Ross was jailed in 1996 for 13 years in relation to his drug empire, which was connected to the Nicaraguan Contras.
The lawsuit suggested that the star used the drug kingpin as part of his persona when launching his rap career.
Rick Ross admitted that his namesake’s story had “grabbed him,” but stated that his stage name was based around his high school football nickname of “big boss”.
However, the case reportedly hinged on the fact that the lawsuit was filed in 2010, despite ‘Freeway’ Rick Ross having been aware of the rapper since 2006.
Other defendants in the lawsuit included Warner Bros Records, Universal Music and Jay Z, in connection with launching the rapper using the stage name.
Judge Boren stated: “We recognise that Roberts’s work – his music and persona as a rap musician – relies to some extent on plaintiff’s name and persona. Roberts chose to use the name ‘Rick Ross’.
“He raps about trafficking in cocaine and brags about his wealth. These were ‘raw materials’ from which Roberts’ music career was synthesised. But these are not the ‘very sum and substance’ of Roberts’ work.”
He continued: “Roberts created a celebrity identity, using the name Rick Ross, of a cocaine kingpin turned rapper. He was not simply an impostor seeking to profit solely off the name and reputation of Rick Ross.
“Rather, he made music out of fictional tales of dealing drugs and other exploits – some of which related to plaintiff. Using the name and certain details of an infamous criminal’s life as basic elements, he created original artistic works.”
Rick Ross recently unveiled a new track titled ‘The Devil Is a Lie’ featuring Jay Z.
Source: Digital Spy
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