Hip hop biography moments like this remind us that the music industry can be brutal—and Rick Ross just proved he’s not backing down from the competition. After his album Set In Stone opened with 19,214 units in July, the Maybach Music mogul faced some serious ribbing from rival 50 Cent about his numbers. But when The Game’s The Documentary III dropped with even smaller sales, Rozay saw his moment.
The Game’s project hit the Billboard 200 at No. 68 with just 14,806 units—despite boasting an impressive lineup of features including Kanye, Drake, Snoop Dogg, E-40, Marsha Ambrosius, and Drakeo The Ruler. That’s when Ross went live on Instagram to set the record straight. “Set In Stone, which is out right now, did more numbers than Documentary III with what they call a hip hop biography stimulus package,” he said, keeping things light but pointed.
The whole situation had social media buzzing. Set In Stone debuted at No. 39, and while that opening wasn’t exactly what Ross was hoping for, it still outperformed The Game’s latest effort. The comparison sparked jokes from fans and industry folks alike, with some wondering what this means for both artists moving forward.
But here’s where Ross showed real class. Instead of just trash-talking, he actually acknowledged The Game’s grind and encouraged him to keep pushing. “Listen, keep hustling. The West Coast needs you, you feel me?” Ross said respectfully. He also had a broader message for other artists dealing with disappointing album sales. “For all the other artists, don’t let that s–t dictate how you move, what you create. You keep going.”
That’s the kind of perspective that comes with experience and understanding the bigger picture. Both artists are navigating a changing music landscape where traditional album sales don’t always reflect an artist’s cultural impact or longevity. The real victory isn’t always in first-week numbers—it’s in staying relevant and keeping your creative vision intact.
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