Rick Ross is all about making moments. The 48-year-old rapper closed 2024 on a high note alongside The Atlanta Pop Orchestra at Atlanta Symphony Hall.
Opus World Entertainment presented “Rick Ross: A Holiday Affair” on Sunday (Dec. 29) where the Miami rapper’s beloved music catalog was reimagined in a live orchestral setting. The Biggest Boss dressed up in an emerald green tuxedo and waltzed onto the stage while the orchestra brought “Everyday Hustle,” his March 2024 collaboration with Future and Metro Boomin, to life.
He also performed the Wale and Drake-assisted “Diced Pineapples,” “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast),” “Hustlin’,” “MC Hammer,” “Here I Am,” and more. In a historic moment, Cee-Lo Green joined Ross onstage to perform “Tears Of Joy” together for the first time since they released the track almost 15 years ago.
“Man, it’s always amazing to see us out here looking elegant and fashionable,” DJ Big X ATL told The Atlanta Voice. “What Ross has done over the years, from the trap days of ‘Hustlin’ to now collaborating with orchestras, shows incredible elevation. It’s inspiring for artists to see this and set their goals high. If I were an artist, I’d look at what Ross is doing and aim to build a catalog that could one day bring me to this stage.”
Big X is also the President of Coalition DJs and expressed his appreciation for Rick Ross supporting them. “He’s been like family, rocking with us at anniversaries, collaborating on projects, and supporting our artists,” X said. “He’s showcasing that energy tonight, setting the vibe for everyone here.”
Nuface, a cultural documentarian, echoed these sentiments. “It warms my heart to see somebody as successful still be out and be approachable to the people and give back opportunities and shows like that,” he said. “You know, it’s not where nobody can get in. Tickets are available to the whole city, and it’s not in Miami. This is Atlanta.”
Rick Ross put the bow on what was an eventful 2024 for himself despite not releasing a proper album or EP. He found himself in the mix of Drake’s feuds with Kendrick Lamar, Future, Metro Boomin, and more, beginning with We Don’t Trust You at the end of March. Ross was featured on “Everyday Hustle” from that album and shared a video of himself listening to K. Dot’s diss verse on “Like That,” also on the album.
Drizzy fired back at his enemies on “Push Ups” the following month and Rozay responded the same day the track leaked with “Champagne Moments.” The duo mostly kept to social media jabs after the 6 God fired the last Rozay bullets on “Family Matters” and “The Heart Part 6,” the latter of whom he referenced how the Teflon Don’s plane crashed that May weekend.
