Rapper Rick Ross was arrested in Miami Beach and charged with battery related to a domestic violence accusation, authorities said.
Ross, whose legal name is William Roberts II, faces a felony charge of battery by strangulation, as well as a misdemeanour battery charge, according to online court records.
An attorney for Ross, 50, said in a statement that Ross is being wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend whose true motivations are unclear.
“The ex did not even file a police report until a month after the claimed incident allegedly took place,” defence attorney Steve Sadow said in the statement. “Mr Roberts is innocent and has pled not guilty to the charges. He respectfully requests that his friends, fans and the general public not prejudge the situation and allow the judicial process to run its course.”
Jail records showed that Ross was being held Thursday morning on US$5000 bail. An arraignment is scheduled for October 22.
Ross is a longtime South Florida resident who gained prominence in 2006 with his debut single Hustlin.
The rapper and entrepreneur helped put Miami on the musical map in the early 2000s, when most hip-hop fans looked to Atlanta and Houston as Southern rap headquarters. Hustlin was certified platinum twice by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and sparked a bidding war for Ross. He eventually signed with Def Jam Records, headed by Jay-Z.
Ross’ debut album, Port of Miami, also went platinum, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. It was the first in a series of chart-toppers, including 2008’s Trilla and 2009’s Deeper Than Rap. He has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards.
In 2008, he founded the influential label Maybach Music Group (MMG), boosting the careers of signees like Wale, Meek Mill and French Montana.
His most recent album, Set In Stone, was released in July.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a serious incident south of Auckland, fiery protests in France, and a jump off Auckland’s tallest residential tower. (Source: 1News)
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