Rick Ross: Africa is leading the global music scene

Africa’s influence on global music is no longer emerging, it has arrived, according to U.S. rapper Rick Ross, who says the worldwide rise of Afrobeats reflects years of cultural groundwork rather than a sudden breakthrough.

The Miami-born artist, born William Leonard Roberts II, said in an interview that the genre’s growing international reach is the result of decades of creative output by African musicians, now gaining broader recognition.

“I love it,” Ross said in an interview in Miami. “If you understand real music, you understand. It’s been overdue.”

He pointed to Fela Kuti as a central figure behind the sound’s global appeal, crediting the late Nigerian icon with shaping what audiences now hear in Afrobeats.

“When you think about Afrobeats now, that’s Fela,” Ross said. “That feeling has been there for years.”

Ross drew a comparison familiar to hip-hop listeners, likening Kuti’s role in African music to James Brown’s influence on early rap. “So much of hip hop came from James Brown,” he said. “To me, that’s what Fela was.”

He added that the current wave is still in its early days. “It was always there. Now I just sit back and enjoy it. And I feel like it’s only the beginning.”

Early collaborations before global breakout

Long before Afrobeats became a global mainstay, Ross had already started working with African artists.

He recalled joining Nigerian duo P-Square on the 2012 remix of “Beautiful Onyinye,” a collaboration he said came together naturally.

*P-Square on the 2012 remix of “Beautiful Onyinye featured Rick Ross*

“They were young, but they were dope. I saw the talent early,” Ross said.

At the time, he was expanding his own sound, blending hip-hop with jazz and funk during what he describes as his “Maybach Music” period. Conversations with Akon also helped deepen his interest in African music, eventually leading to the P-Square link-up.

Years later, he continued those collaborations with artists such as Yemi Alade, praising her stage presence and sound. He has also worked with Wale and Stonebwoy, building ties across the continent.

New Africa-focused project underway

Ross said he is now working on a new project centered on African artists and producers under his Maybach Music Group label.

“We’ve been collaborating for over a year now,” he said. “Big artists, new artists — it’s coming together.”

He also shared a dream lineup that spans generations: Bob Marley, Fela Kuti and Burna Boy. “Imagine that,” he said. “That’s special.”

Ross singled out Burna Boy for praise, calling his rise a sign of where African music is headed. “I respect what he’s doing. Keep going,” he said.

*Rick Ross tours Zimbabwe as Afrobeats go global*

Beyond music: A growing connection

Ross’s ties to Africa now extend beyond the studio. During a recent visit to Zimbabwe, he received a warm reception from fans and officials and said he is considering property investments there.

He described the continent as a place for long-term opportunity, not a passing trend.

That view was reinforced during a stop in Durban, where he performed at the Durban Music Fest at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Ahead of the show, Ross said he visited local communities and was struck by the استقبال he received.

“I saw the beauty,” he said. “The love was there.”