When Rick Ross stepped onto the stage at the James L. Knight Center in Miami on Thursday night, the crowd was ready for a celebration of two decades since his debut album, Port of Miami. The rapper was launching a 17‑city tour to mark the anniversary, but what surprised many was the setlist: a string of hits that featured Drake’s unmistakable verses. Despite the ongoing feud between the two artists, Ross chose to keep the collaborations alive on stage, while making it clear that a personal reconciliation is still off the table.
A Milestone Night in Miami
Rick Ross’s tour, aptly titled “Port of Miami,” is a nod to the album that first put him on the map. The opening night at the James L. Knight Center was a fitting tribute to the 20‑year legacy of the record, which helped define the early 2010s hip‑hop landscape. Fans filled the arena with anticipation, hoping for a mix of classic tracks and new material. Instead, Ross delivered a set that leaned heavily on his most successful collaborations with Drake, a move that sent shockwaves through the rap community.
From the opening bars of “Aston Martin” to the late‑night groove of “No Love,” Ross didn’t shy away from the songs that had earned him millions of streams. The decision to perform these tracks was not just a nod to nostalgia; it was a statement that the music can transcend personal differences. Yet, the performance also highlighted the tension that still exists between the two artists.
Playing Drake’s Verses Without Editing
After the show, reporters had a chance to ask Ross about the possibility of removing Drake’s verses from the tracks. The answer was straightforward: he doesn’t edit the songs. Instead, he follows the DJ’s cues and lets the original recordings play out in full. Ross explained that the focus is on delivering a high‑energy performance rather than revising the material to fit a narrative of reconciliation.
“I just go with whatever the DJ plays during the set,” Ross told TMZ. “I don’t spend time editing or removing parts from the records.” This approach keeps the authenticity of the songs intact, allowing fans to experience the full collaboration as it was originally intended. It also underscores a key point: performing Drake’s verses on stage does not equate to mending a personal rift.
The Feud Persists Despite the Setlist
When asked if he would consider squashing the beef and getting back on good terms with the Toronto rapper, Ross was quick to laugh and make it clear that a peace treaty is not in his plans. The two artists have a history of frequent collaborations—such as “No Love,” “Aston Martin,” and “Mafia.” Their partnership was a staple of the early 2010s, but it unraveled amid a series of public disputes that have kept them on opposite sides of the rap feud spectrum.
Ross’s decision to perform Drake’s tracks without editing is a testament to the power of music to bridge divides, yet it also highlights the limits of that bridge. The two men remain on good terms professionally, but personal reconciliation remains a distant prospect.
- “No Love” – A 2012 hit that showcased the chemistry between Ross and Drake.
- Aston Martin – A 2013 collaboration that became a club staple.
- “Mafia” – A track that blended Ross’s swagger with Drake’s lyrical finesse.
- “Pound Cake” – A 2013 single that topped charts and cemented their partnership.
- “The Way” – A 2014 track that highlighted their
InfluencerBlogger
