Drug Trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross Tells Rapper Rick Ross To Keep It Real

July 28, 2008 7:00 a.m. EST

Texarkana, TX (CNS) - Convicted drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross has spoken out about rapper Rick Ross' use of his name and identity, telling the hip-hop artist to be himself.

The rapper - real name is William Roberts - has denied of hearing the original Ross before he "thought up" his stage name himself. He dons the reformed drug mogul's signature beard to further imitate him.

Ross says in an official statement, "After seeing all the stuff that has been going on with the Correctional Officer [Roberts] that stole my name, makes me think back to a year and a half ago when we spoke. I tried to talk to him like a big brother and let him know to be you, and that he couldn't be me. And that if he wanted to rap the lifestyle that he couldn't frame it based on my life."

"How different his life would have been if he would have taken my advice. You can fool some of the people some of the some, but you can't fool all the people all the time."

Ross, who was convicted after trying to purchase more than 100 kilograms of cocaine from a federal agent, is currently scheduled for release on August 13, 2010.