Believe it or not, Rick Ross's name isn't really "Rick Ross," nor has he actually dealt cocaine (as far as we know). Nay, Ross was born William Roberts II, and borrowed the alias "Rick Ross" from "Freeway" Rick Ross, a Los Angeles kingpin who used his connections with the Panamanian contras to move more than $3 million worth of cocaine a day. The actual Ross is now out of jail, and sued rapper Ross for occupying his identity. A California appeals court has ruled that the emcee has the right to use the name however.
As part of the case, the judge relied on a test used before when determining whether a celebrity's image has been illegally for monetary gain: Is the celebrity likeness merely one of the "raw materials" used (which would be acceptable under the First Amendment), or does the imitation of the celebrity make up the "very sum and substance" of the product (such as the R. Kelly imitator who's been going around collecting performance fees).
Judge Roger Boren ruled that Robert's use of the name "Rick Ross" satisfied the "raw materials" argument. We'll include part of the judge's ruling to explain the decision, and because it's hilarious to imagine this being read by a judge.
"We recognize that Roberts' work -- his music and persona as a rap musician -- relies to some extent on plaintiff's name and persona," wrote Boren. "Roberts chose to use the name 'Rick Ross.' He raps about trafficking in cocaine and brags about his wealth. These were 'raw materials' from which Roberts' music career was synthesized. But these are not the 'very sum and substance' of Roberts' work."
We imagine the same ruling applies to when people refer to the rapper as Big Meech or Larry Hoover.
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