Maybach Music Group (MAY-back;[a] abbreviated MMG) is a record label founded by American rapper Rick Ross in 2008.[1] An imprint of gamma. since 2023, the label was previously an imprint of Island Def Jam (2009–2011), Warner Records (2011–2012) and Atlantic Records (2012–2023).[2][3] The label, having signed artists including Wale, Meek Mill, French Montana, Omarion, Rockie Fresh, and Stalley, has released a total of 29 studio albums, including three compilation albums in its Self-Made series. The "Maybach Music" vocal tag present in many of the label's recordings is spoken by Australian model Jessica Gomes.[4]

Maybach Music Group
Parent companygamma.
Founded2008
FounderRick Ross
Distributor(s)
GenreHip hop
Country of originUnited States
LocationMiami, Florida
Official websitemmgselfmade.com

Five of the label's albums have been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), while four have been certified platinum.[5] The label has also released seven albums which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200: Deeper Than Rap (2009), God Forgives, I Don't (2012), and Mastermind (2014) by Rick Ross, The Gifted (2013) and The Album About Nothing (2015) by Wale and Dreams Worth More Than Money (2015) and Championships (2018) by Meek Mill.

History edit

2009–2011 edit

Maybach Music Group (MMG) was launched in a joint venture and as an imprint of Ross' then-label, Island Def Jam in 2008. Along with Ross himself, the label signed its first two acts that same year; its first was the hip hop group of which Ross was a member, Triple C's (alongside Gunplay, Torch, and Young Breed), while its second, singer Masspike Miles was signed in November of that year.[6] The label released its first major album, Deeper Than Rap by Ross in April 2009. The Triple C's debut album, Custom Cars & Cycles followed thereafter in October of that year. In August 2009, Ross signed the MMG's third artist, dancehall singer Magazeen.[7]

In 2010, MMG released Ross' fourth album, Teflon Don. The second album by Triple C's, Color, Cut & Clarity was for scheduled for that year, but remains unreleased. In August, Ross made an offer to Pennsylvania rapper Wiz Khalifa to sign to Maybach Music Group; however, he was signed with Universal Music Group's competitor label, Atlantic Records.[8]

In February 2011, Ross parted ways with Def Jam as the label's distributor (although he remained signed as a solo act) in favor of Warner Bros. Records, and signed two of MMG's soon-to-be flagship artists: Washington D.C.-based rapper Wale and Philadelphia-based rapper Meek Mill.[9] The following month, on March 25, Ross signed R&B singer Teedra Moses to the label; she was the label's first female artist.[10] On May 23, 2011, MMG released the compilation album Self Made Vol. 1, predominantly featuring Rick Ross alongside the label's roster of whom signed that same year, including Wale, Meek Mill, Teedra Moses, Pill, and Stalley, along with the Triple C's. In June, Ross announced plans to launch the sub-labels Maybach Music Jamaica and Maybach Music Latino, both of which failed to effectively materialize.[11]

2012–present edit

In December 2011, New York rapper French Montana signed a joint venture deal with Maybach Music Group and Sean Combs' Bad Boy Records. His debut studio album, Excuse My French (2013) was released in a joint venture with Interscope Records and executive produced by both Combs and Ross.[12] On February 4, 2012, Ross spoke about the departure of rapper Pill from Maybach Music, and said that Pill was never signed to the label; Pill was signed to its parent label Warner Bros., whose executives proposed the idea of Pill joining. Ross further added that he worked out a one-year deal in which Pill would be signed with the label. [13] On May 2, 2012, Ross signed R&B singer Omarion to the label. MMG's second compilation album, Self Made Vol. 2 was released on June 26, and his fifth album, God Forgives, I Don't was released on July 31.[14]

On June 22, 2012, while promoting Self Made Vol. 2, Rick Ross stated that Gunplay signed a solo deal with the label and Def Jam, further announcing promotional releases from the rapper leading up to his debut album, Living Legend.[15] Rumors of Dom Kennedy and Nipsey Hussle signing to label began to spread during this time, both of which were disavowed by Ross himself, although he admitted to being a fan of the artists.[16] On July 12, 2012, Ross confirmed that rapper Rockie Fresh was signed to MMG; Fresh's debut mixtape with the label, Electric Highway was released on January 21, 2013.[17]

On December 11, 2012, Ross parted ways with Warner Bros. Records as the label's distributor in favor of Atlantic Records.[18] On June 2, 2013, Ross revealed an album cover and announced that MMG will be releasing its third collaboration album, Self Made Vol. 3 on August 6, 2013.[19] The following day, three songs—"Poor Decisions", "God Is Great" and "Oil Money Gang"—were released in promotion for the album. On June 4, 2013, three music videos for each of the songs were uploaded to the label's official YouTube.[20] Self Made Vol. 3 was released to generally positive reviews on September 17, 2013. That same day, Stalley released his first retail project for the label, Honest Cowboy EP. On November 6, 2013, the label signed another Washington D.C.-based rapper and Wale associate, Fat Trel.[21]

Notable acts edit

Discography edit

The following is a list of albums released through Maybach Music Group, various album distributors are noted below.

Artist Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications Sales
US US R&B US Rap CAN
Rick Ross Deeper Than Rap 1 1 1 23
Triple C's Custom Cars & Cycles
  • Released: October 27, 2009
  • Label: Maybach, Def Jam
  • Format: CD, download
44 5 2
Rick Ross Teflon Don
  • Released: July 20, 2010
  • Label: Maybach, Def Jam, Slip-n-Slide
  • Format: CD, download
2 2 2 17
Maybach Music Group Self Made Vol. 1
  • Released: May 23, 2011
  • Label: Maybach, Warner Bros.
  • Format: CD, download
5 1 1
  • 247,000
Wale Ambition
  • Released: November 1, 2011
  • Label: Maybach, Warner Bros.
  • Format: CD, download
2 1 1
Maybach Music Group Self Made Vol. 2
  • Released: June 26, 2012
  • Label: Maybach, Warner Bros.
  • Format: CD, download
4 1 1 37
  • 285,000
Rick Ross God Forgives, I Don't
  • Released: July 31, 2012
  • Label: Maybach, Def Jam, Slip-n-Slide
  • Format: CD, LP, download
1 1 1 1
  • 570,000
Meek Mill Dreams and Nightmares
  • Released: October 30, 2012
  • Label: Maybach, Warner Bros.
  • Format: CD, download
2 1 1 6
  • 420,000
French Montana Excuse My French
  • Released: May 21, 2013
  • Label: Maybach, Coke Boys, Interscope, Bad Boy
  • Format: CD, download
4 1 1 11
Wale The Gifted
  • Released: June 25, 2013
  • Label: Maybach, Atlantic
  • Format: CD, download
1 1 1 10
Maybach Music Group Self Made Vol. 3
  • Released: September 17, 2013
  • Label: Maybach, Atlantic
  • Label: CD, download
4 1 1
  • 114,000
Stalley Honest Cowboy EP
  • Released: September 17, 2013
  • Label: Maybach, Atlantic
  • Format: Download
41
Rick Ross Mastermind
  • Released: March 4, 2014
  • Label: Maybach, Def Jam, Slip-n-Slide
  • Format: CD, download
1 1 1 5
  • 420,000
Stalley Ohio
  • Released: October 27, 2014
  • Label: Maybach, Atlantic
  • Format: CD, download
35 5 5
  • 10,000
Rick Ross Hood Billionaire
  • Released: November 24, 2014
  • Label: Maybach, Def Jam, Slip-n-Slide
  • Format: CD, download
6 2 2
Omarion Sex Playlist
  • Released: December 2, 2014
  • Label: Maybach, Atlantic
  • Formats: CD, download
49 5
  • 44,000
Wale The Album About Nothing
  • Released: March 31, 2015
  • Label: Maybach, Atlantic
  • Formats: CD, download
1 1 1
  • 198,000
Meek Mill Dreams Worth More Than Money
  • Released: June 29, 2015[33]
  • Label: Maybach, Atlantic
  • Formats: CD, download
1 1 1 1
  • 800,000
Gunplay Living Legend
  • Released: July 31, 2015[35]
  • Label: Maybach, Def Jam
  • Formats: CD, download
171 17 11
Rick Ross Black Market
  • Released: December 4, 2015
  • Label: Maybach, Slip-n-Slide, Def Jam
  • Formats: CD, download
6 2 2 68
  • 85,000
Rick Ross Rather You Than Me
  • Released: March 17, 2017
  • Label: Maybach, Epic
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
3 2 2 16
Wale Shine
  • Released: April 28, 2017
  • Label: Maybach, Atlantic
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
16 8 6
Meek Mill Wins & Losses
  • Released: July 21, 2017
  • Label: Maybach, Atlantic
  • Formats: CD, Download, streaming
3 2 2 17
Meek Mill Championship
  • Released: November 30, 2018
  • Label: Maybach, Atlantic
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
1 1 1 1
  • 229,000
Rick Ross Port of Miami 2
  • Released: August 9, 2019
  • Label: Maybach, Epic
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
2 1 1 8
Wale Wow... That's Crazy
  • Released: October 11, 2019[37]
  • Label: Maybach, Warner
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
7 6 5 55
Meek Mill Expensive Pain
  • Released: October 1, 2021
  • Label: Maybach, Atlantic
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
3 2 2 5
Wale Folarin II
  • Released: October 22, 2021
  • Label: Maybach, Warner
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
22 12 11
Rick Ross Richer Than I Ever Been
  • Released: December 10, 2021
  • Label: Maybach, Epic
  • Format: CD, digital download, steaming
22 10 5 96

Notes edit

  1. ^ Note that the pronunciation of "Maybach" here is not the same as that of the German car brand; cf. the way the name is pronounced in the label's signature producer tag in songs.

References edit

  1. ^ "Rick Ross Biography". The Biography.com Website. A&E Television Networks.
  2. ^ "Maybach Music Group Moves to Atlantic Records". Billboard.com. December 11, 2012.
  3. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (September 29, 2023). "Rick Ross, Maybach Music Group Announce Partnership With Gamma". Variety. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  4. ^ Elibert, Mark. "Rick Ross Shouts Out Woman Behind 'Maybach Music' Tag: 'Let Me Introduce You'". Complex. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  5. ^ "Rick Ross Isn't the Only Rap Label Head Not Signing Women". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  6. ^ https://www.newswire.com/news/maybach-music-group-and-rick-ross-artist-masspike-miles-signs-to-9049
  7. ^ https://sflcn.com/rick-ross-launches-dancehall-artist-magazeen-in-jamaica/
  8. ^ DX News Bits: Wiz Khalifa, Soulja Boy, Bruno Mars Archived 2015-01-05 at the Wayback Machine. 25 August 2010.
  9. ^ https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/3505-meek-mill-signs-to-maybach-music-speaks-on-deal-and-new-mixtapes-news
  10. ^ Harper, Rosario (March 25, 2011). "Rick Ross Signs The First Lady Of Maybach Music". sohh.com. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  11. ^ Rick Ross Introduces Maybach Music Jamaica & Maybach Music Latino On BET's 106 & Park. BET.com. Retrieved 2011-07-07
  12. ^ "French Montana Celebrates Signing With Bad Boy & MMG".
  13. ^ "Rick Ross Speaks On Pill's Departure From MMG, Wishes Rapper "Success"". Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  14. ^ "Rick Ross Signs Omarion to Maybach Music Group". May 2, 2012.
  15. ^ "Gunplay Signs To Def Jam".
  16. ^ "Rick Ross Talks About Possibly Signing Nipsey Hussle & Dom Kennedy".
  17. ^ "Rockie Fresh Signs To Maybach Music Group".
  18. ^ "Rick Ross Confirms That Maybach Music Group Is Moving To Atlantic Records". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on December 13, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  19. ^ "Rick Ross & MMG Talk Self Made Vol. 3". Rap Radar. June 4, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  20. ^ "MMG". YouTube. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  21. ^ "Fat Trel Signs To Maybach Music Group". XXL Mag. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
  22. ^ Insanul Ahmed. "Rick Ross, "Deeper Than Rap" (2009) - Ranking Rick Ross' Albums From Worst To Best". Complex.
  23. ^ Insanul Ahmed. "Triple C's, "Custom Cars and Cycles" (2009) - Ranking Rick Ross' Albums From Worst To Best". Complex.
  24. ^ a b "American certifications – Rick Ross". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  25. ^ "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 7/31/2011". HipHopDX. August 3, 2011. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  26. ^ "American certifications – Wale". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  27. ^ "IP EOL". defsounds.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  28. ^ fashionablyearly (July 21, 2015). "Meek Mill's 'Dreams & Nightmares' Certified Gold". Fashionably-Early. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  29. ^ "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 5/26/2013". HipHopDX. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
  30. ^ "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 6/30/2013". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  31. ^ HipHopDX (December 3, 2014). "Hip Hop Album Sales: Eminem, Rick Ross, Beyonce". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 4, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  32. ^ HipHopDX (December 10, 2014). "Hip Hop Album Sales: Wu-Tang Clan, Mary J. Blige, Eminem". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 4, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  33. ^ "iTunes - Music - Dreams Worth More Than Money by Meek Mill". iTunes.
  34. ^ "Meek Mill's 'All Eyes On You' Goes Platinum; 'Dreams Worth More Than Money' Goes Gold | Welcome To KollegeKidd.com". June 12, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  35. ^ HipHopDX (June 16, 2015). "Rap Release Dates: Geto Boys, RiFF RAFF, Gunplay, Joell Ortiz & !llmind". HipHopDX.
  36. ^ RIAA. "American Certifications - Meek Mill". Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  37. ^ "The NPR Politics Podcast".