In 2011, Rick Ross continued his push from Miami rap sensation, to bonafide star, to hip hop mogul-in-the-making. Ross continued to reap the commercial rewards of his blockbuster 2010 album, Teflon Don, but also proved that he was much more than just an artist; signing lucrative endorsement deals and adding some notable talents to his Maybach Music roster.

Among those talents were celebrated D.C. rapper Wale and sultry soul singer Teedra Moses. Other artists, like rappers Meek Mill, the group Triple C's and Pill, have helped turn Maybach Music Group into one of the more talked-about imprints in hip hop. The label's compilation album, Self Made, debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top Rap Albums chart. In February, Ross' Maybach Music signed a lucrative deal with Warner Bros.

"Building Maybach Music Group, building this empire, of course I was inspired by some of the earlier movements and earlier dudes that came along such as Cash Money [and] Bad Boy Records," Ross shared in an interview. "To me, when I really think about the greatest era of hip-hop."

Also this year, Rick Ross signed on to become a new face of Diddy's Sean John brand, which launched a campaign alongside Macy's Department Stores to promote the line.