You wouldn’t necessarily think a rapper from Miami and a rock legend from Tupelo have much in common. But if you ask Rick Ross, he’ll tell you straight up: he sees himself in Elvis Presley.
Honestly, the "Bawse" has been obsessed with the King of Rock 'n' Roll for over a decade. It’s not just about the music. It’s about the scale of the life lived. In November 2024, Ross took a trip to Memphis that basically confirmed everything he’d been feeling since he first dropped "Elvis Presley Blvd" back in 2014. He stood outside Graceland, looking at the gates, and realized they weren’t just two famous guys—they were cut from the same cloth.
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Rick Ross Shares a Deep Connection With Elvis Presley: The Graceland Revelation
While most tourists are busy taking blurry photos of the Jungle Room, Ross was busy taking notes on the business model. During his visit to the 14-acre estate, he didn't just see a museum. He saw a blueprint.
Ross posted a series of videos on his Instagram Story that felt more like a spiritual homecoming than a vacation. "Elvis was a legend, an icon," he told his followers while standing in front of the mansion. But the real connection clicked when he saw the planes.
The Planes and the Promise Land
Elvis had the Lisa Marie, a 1958 Convair 880 he bought in '75 and turned into a flying palace. Ross has his own Gulfstream G550. For Rozay, the private jet isn't just a way to beat airport traffic; it's a symbol of the "hustler" spirit he admires in Presley.
"As we all could see, me and Elvis had a lot of things in common," Ross said, gesturing toward the aircraft. "His ranch is Graceland, mine is Promise Land."
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He’s talking about his massive 235-acre estate in Fayetteville, Georgia. It used to belong to Evander Holyfield, but Ross turned it into a monument of his own success. Just like Elvis turned Graceland into a sanctuary for his family and his inner circle, Ross has done the same with the Promise Land. Both men built kingdoms that are physically larger than life.
A Man Amongst the People
One thing Ross kept coming back to during his tour was the idea that Elvis was a "man amongst the people."
That’s a big deal for Ross. Despite the flashy cars and the literal billions he talks about in his verses, he prides himself on being accessible to the streets. You’ll see him at a Wingstop in Memphis or walking through a local car show. He sees that same energy in Elvis.
Presley was a global superstar, but he never really left the South behind. He was a Mississippi boy who stayed connected to his roots, even when he was the most famous person on the planet. Ross, born in Mississippi himself before moving to Florida, feels that tug-of-war between extreme wealth and staying "real."
The "Elvis Presley Blvd" Anthem
If you go back to 2014, the signs were already there. Ross released the track "Elvis Presley Blvd" featuring Project Pat. Most rappers might use Elvis as a punchline or a symbol of "the man," but Ross used him as a peer.
The video is wild. It features Rozay riding down the actual boulevard in Memphis in a pink Cadillac—a direct nod to Elvis’s iconic ride. He shouts out Priscilla Presley. He talks about the grind.
In an interview with the BBC around that time, Ross admitted he wasn't always an Elvis fan. He didn't grow up listening to "Blue Suede Shoes." But once he started spending time in Memphis, opening up Wingstop locations and getting the key to the city from the Mayor, he started to see the "boss" energy.
"I wasn't familiar with Elvis Presley at all," he told Clash Magazine. "But by me being in Memphis and riding around, you see that he was really a boss. So I said, 'I'm gonna do this record and salute him like that.'"
Hustle Recognize Hustle
It’s easy to get lost in the "top down, Miami s---" that Ross usually promotes, but his connection to Elvis is deeply rooted in the concept of the American Dream.
Elvis came from a poor family in the South. His dad did time. He was "white trash" until he wasn't. Ross has his own complicated history—including the whole correctional officer controversy—but he reinvented himself into the "Bawse."
They both represent the idea of creating a persona that is so large it becomes its own reality.
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- The Branding: Elvis had the jumpsuits and the hair. Ross has the beard, the shades, and the "M-M-M-Maybach Music" tag.
- The Land: Graceland vs. Promise Land. These aren't just houses; they are brands.
- The Aviation: Owning the sky is the ultimate flex for both.
- The Crossover: Elvis merged Black and white musical styles to change the world. Ross merges luxury rap with street anthems to dominate the charts.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Comparison
Critics often roll their eyes when Ross compares himself to icons like Elvis, Big Meech, or John Gotti. They think it’s just ego.
But it’s actually about lineage. Ross doesn't think he is Elvis; he thinks he's the modern iteration of that same archetype. The "Hood Billionaire" isn't just a title—it's a mission statement.
Elvis was an integrator in his own way. As Little Richard once said, Elvis opened the door for Black music to reach the masses. Ross sees himself as someone who takes the struggle and turns it into high art, using the same "hustler" mentality that kept Elvis going through his grueling Vegas residencies and movie deals.
The Actionable Insight: What We Can Learn from the "Bawse" and the King
If you're looking for a takeaway from this weirdly perfect connection, it's about the power of Legacy Building.
Don't just build a business; build a kingdom. Ross didn't just buy a house; he bought a "Promise Land." He didn't just write a song about Memphis; he integrated himself into the fabric of the city.
Next Steps for Your Own "Bawse" Move:
- Define Your Territory: Whether it's a home office or a corporate brand, give your space a name and a purpose that reflects your ambitions.
- Study the Icons: Look outside your industry. Ross looked at a 1950s rock star and found a mentor. Who is the "Elvis" of your field?
- Stay Visible: Be the "man amongst the people." Success is meaningless if you lose the connection to the base that built you.
Rick Ross shares a deep connection with Elvis Presley because he understands that being a star is temporary, but being a "Boss" is forever. Whether he's riding down the boulevard or landing his G550, Rozay is keeping the King's spirit alive in the most "Mafia Music" way possible.