Rick Ross
Behind the Scenes of Luxe Magazine’s Man of 2020
The beautifully decorated tailor shop Hideoki Bespoke, located in the heart of Midtown (Atlanta), CEO, Founder, and Editor-in-Chief of Luxe Kurves Magazine And Host of the Brandee J Talk Show, Brandee Joyner, stands with the Creative Director of Luxe Kurves Magazine and Founder and owner of Ova Media Group, Nora Bonds. We stood on the small front porch while waiting to be escorted into the building for the day's shoot.
We stepped onto the tailor shop's main room, which had a glossy hardwood floor and white walls decorated with mannequins dressed in men's suits. Decorated glass table consisting of ties, handkerchiefs, and more, adjacent to it was the kitchen where caterer Anthony Simms from A Game Cuisine prepared a southern-style brunch for all to feast on later in the day. Attached to the main room was a viewing room decorated with a couch and tall, black-framed ceiling-to-wall windows. Opposite the other side was a beautifully extended porch.
The hallway was also beautifully decorated and housed three dressing rooms, a half bathroom, an office with a large walk-in vault, and a closet with another small porch attached. The interview with the guest star would be located in the main room, where the film crew had begun to set up. A large flat-screen television showcased the logo for, The Brandee J Talk Show, in which Brandee J and the Luxe Man would be staged in front of a large. Facing opposite one another were two semi-circles, cow-skin bar chairs with a low glass table in-between decorated with a silver and gold piece chess set. Bottles of Luc Belaire, a Luc Blaire small car, and items from the tailor shop decorated the scene where the talk show would be filmed.
The time came for the guest star to arrive, and the energy in the room became livelier as music related to the guest played. The guest arrived at his song, "Aston Martin Music," featuring Drake and Chrisette Michele.
Greeted with smiling faces, Rick Ross entered the building and exited the elevator with his manager and crew. Ross was dressed casually in blue basketball shorts, a white tee, gold jewelry, white socks, white sneakers, red laces, and sunglasses.
He was escorted into one of the dressing rooms designated for him, where he was then in conversation with Brandee and Nora.
Hugs were exchanged, pictures were taken, and thanks were given for being here. They then went into a discussion on the rundown for the day.
When the designated time came to start the interview, everyone was punctual, and Brandee was dressed in her blue ensemble and awaited Ross. Ross entered at his appointed time and was styled in a plaid jacket, white tee, and black bottoms. Black shoes, his signature sunglasses, and silver jewelry.
Brandee then started the interview.
"Wonderful thank you, queen." Ross said.
She explained why Ross was the Luxe Man of 2020 and how she was honored to have him there.
"[At Luxe] we wanted to show men as kings," said Brandee. From there, Brandee went into asking questions submitted by her Luxe team and created by herself. The first question asked was for any advice for future and rising entrepreneurs. Ross is known for many acknowledgments, such as being a rapper and owning his music label, Maybach Music Group, and multiple Wingstop restaurants.
Ross replied to her question, "Simplest as it may seem, follow your heart."
The next question asked was what his top 3 R&B albums are. He laughed and replied:
1. Michal Jackson Thriller
2. Sad's Greatest Hits
3. Curtis Mayfield Superfly
Following that question, Brandee asked what a young artist can do today to become successful and reach their dream. Ross replied that it took him 15 years just for his debut single, "Hustlin," to come out. When he started, he was behind the scenes writing lyrics for other people's raps while on sets. He said that everything was and is in God's timing.
"Can't make a move until the big homie says so," said Ross. He also said that you must flow and embrace what's new and, "You have to respect what's new coming into this game."
Being in the industry for a while and wanting to do his best for all who reflect him by gender, race, and more, he tries to keep things solid and build rather than destroy. He even called out for Black businesses and quoted his song, "Buy Back the Block," featuring 2 Chainz and Gucci Mane. He stated that his music is about supporting Black businesses and that it is time to build back the Black Wall Street.
"[We] can't be afraid to get out of our ways for one another," said Ross. He mentioned that it can be easy to say, "You didn't support be then/when…but now." However, we must get out of that mindset and support one another.
It was always easy for Ross to show respect due to all the women in his life. He was surrounded by women like his mother, sister, manager, and more. Learning to understand trust from them throughout his life, one can say he loves and cherishes women.
When asked about his next business venture, he said he has a few things in the making, so be on the lookout. With the interview's final question being what he wants his legacy to be, he replied that he wants it to be natural. He doesn't want to have a plan for it but to let it happen with a natural flow based on what he will do.
Concluding the interview, Brandee thanked him, and it was a wrap. Following the discussion, Ross then proceeded to the adjacent room with the tall, black-framed windows and posed for the onset photographer, Cat Harper. Afterward, Ross went to his dressing room to change into his next outfit to go to the following location for the shoot.
Wrapping up the photoshoot, Ross sadly had to depart to attend another function. On his way out, he was presented with his gift of a Luxe Man snapback, a Luxe Man shirt, and a custom-made Luxe Kurves jacket. He thanked Brandee again and called her a queen as he exited.
The day was overall successful and one to remember. And of course I left with some leftovers!
