Trill-a, Trill-a Nights

Five years ago, if you were scoring something at a meeting with Miami’s mixtape superstar Rick Ross, it wasn’t an exclusive interview. Since then, he’s jumped from rollin’ in on a rickety smoke-filled Toyota Tercel to a BMW with oversized wheels. This rise to fame was a long time in the making for Ross; he’s kept his sights set on packed nightclubs, star-studded albums, and platinum ringtones since before cells went polyphonic. And now it’s all come to fruition.

His last album, Port of Miami, was more than just another gold platter on Def Jam’s palatial walls; it was a record that redefined the sound of emerging South Florida hip hop talent. It shined a deserving spotlight on the Magic City’s producers DJ Khaled and Cool and Dre, and it nodded at other local boys: rapper Brisco and label mate Flo Rider. Always hustlin’, Ross is ready to do it again. But this time, it’s going to be even bigger.

His new album Trilla hits the shelves on Tuesday, March 11, but you don’t have to wait that long to hear it. Monday night is when Ross (along with a few friends: Scarface, DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Trick Daddy, T-Pain, Lil’ Boosie, Lil’ Webbie, Brisco, Flo Rider, and more) hit up Mansion (1235 Washington Ave., South Beach), giving you (and a couple thousand of your crew) an early listen. The first 500 ladies in the door before midnight get to skirt the cover and help start the party with the night’s guest turntablist, DJ Khaled. Call 305-531-5535, or visit www.theopiumgroup.com.
Mon., March 10, 2008