Mayor Chuck Espy led the ceremony, recognizing Ross not just for his contributions to music and business, but for the personal and cultural legacy he continues to build in Clarksdale. “Rick Ross has returned, and we not only honor his music legacy, but we honor his heart and what he has done for this great city,” said Mayor Espy.
Ross, born William Leonard Roberts II, has deep family roots in Clarksdale and has maintained close ties through regular visits over the years. With a commanding voice and entrepreneurial vision, he has become one of the most influential artists of his generation. His career spans multiple platinum albums, chart-topping records, and the founding of Maybach Music Group, as well as a robust portfolio of business ventures, including his ownership of several WingStop franchises across the South — one of which is in Clarksdale, Luc Belaire, Slippery Soap which just launched in 400+ AutoZone locations, Bugatti Bags, Smiles by Mario Montoya, and more.
Speaking to the crowd, Ross shared:
“First off God is great. To be back in the city where my story began, surrounded by family, leaders, and the people who made me who I am—it’s humbling. Clarksdale, this is more than a street name. This is legacy.” When asked by a reporter what he’s most proud about of Clarksdale, Ross shared, “Really it be the things I don’t discuss. Some things just happen behind closed doors that you just show a lot of love, and that means the most to me. You know, we have gone down to the Walmart and did different things like that, but it’s the things you don’t discuss that are special to me. But just know that Clarksdale is in my heart, you better believe it, so that’s why I made sure I was here today.”
Clarksdale, a city rich in culture and heritage, is no stranger to the spotlight. Most recently, it served as the setting for the feature film Sinners, further cementing its status as a place where music, storytelling, and history intersect.
Today’s dedication of Rick Ross Way not only celebrates the rise of a hometown hero, but also reinforces Clarksdale’s ongoing role as a cultural epicenter of the South — one that continues to inspire new generations. This has been a month of acknowledgment for Rick Ross, with him celebrating the 4th annual Rick Ross Car & Bike Show at his Fayetteville, GA estate, The Promise Land.
He received a proclamation from Congresswoman Nikema Williams, and resolutions from George Representative Debra Bazemore and Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington, Jr. Ross is gearing up for a new musical project, with an upcoming single with Pharrell having just recorded the music video in Paris.
