Rich Is Gangsta

Album: Mastermind (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The song title is a quote that Ross used in his explanation of why he canceled the 2012 Maybach Music Group tour. He said:

    "And to me, Rich Is Gangsta. Loyal is gangsta. You understand?
    Family is gangsta. If that's not gangsta, I don't wanna be gangsta.
    I'm a BOSS."
  • The song was produced by Black Metaphor, who also made The Game's Jesus Piece cut "Ali Bombaye," a track Ross was featured on.
  • The song finds Ross rapping about his controversial stint as a prison guard and his motivation of becoming one.

    "Feds tore apart the squad, nigga
    That's why I had to play the part, nigga
    That wasn't me, it was a job, nigga
    It gets deeper, that was just a start, nigga."

    "That particular line most definitely referred to me being a C.O.," Ross explained to RapFix Live host Sway Calloway. "And that being a job and just understanding the grind and the hustle and anything else I may have done. It's just a job, it's a hustle."
  • Ross told us that his pal, Jabbar, got hit with a 25-year prison sentence on his God Forgives, I Don't track "Pirates." Two years later, Rozay is celebrating his friend's release on this song when he shouts out, "Fresh up out the Fed system, welcome home Jabbar."
  • Black Metaphor's beat utilizes a sample from Scottish R&B act Average White Band's 1976 tune, "Soul Searching."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.