JRE #208 – “Freeway” Rick Ross

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4/24/2012






Joe Rogan Experience #208 – “Freeway” Rick Ross Topics

This podcast features Joe Rogan in conversation with “Freeway” Rick Ross, a former drug dealer who became notorious for his success in the Los Angeles drug trade. The episode delves into Rick Ross’s life story, exploring his rise from aspiring tennis star to a prominent figure in the cocaine market. It also touches on the controversial connection between the CIA, drug trafficking, and the Contras in Nicaragua, a link that Rick Ross discovered while in prison. The podcast delves into the systemic issues of poverty and inequality in the United States, highlighting the struggles faced by individuals growing up in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The episode also unpacks the complexities of the drug trade, including the evolution of cocaine use and the rise of crack cocaine.

Provocative topics include Rick Ross’s claim that his name was stolen by rapper Rick Ross, the alleged involvement of the CIA in drug trafficking, and the pervasive corruption within the Los Angeles Police Department.

Underlying themes explore the power dynamics of wealth and privilege, the consequences of a system that fails to address societal inequalities, and the individual’s struggle to navigate a corrupt system.

Major Topics

  1. Rick Ross’s Stolen Identity:
    1. Rick Ross claims that rapper Rick Ross stole his name and persona.
    2. He discusses the irony of the rapper, a former corrections officer, adopting his identity.
    3. He criticizes the rapper for claiming ignorance of the real Rick Ross’s existence.
    4. He highlights the legal complexities of claiming ownership over a name and identity.
  2. The CIA’s Involvement in Drug Trafficking:
    1. Rick Ross discusses the CIA’s role in funding the Contras in Nicaragua through drug sales.
    2. He describes how the CIA used cocaine as a means to generate funds.
    3. He explains the connection between the Iran-Contra scandal and drug trafficking.
    4. He shares his own experiences with the CIA’s involvement in the drug trade, which he discovered while in prison.
  3. Rick Ross’s Early Life and Rise to Power:
    1. Rick Ross’s upbringing in South Central Los Angeles, where he faced poverty and limited educational opportunities.
    2. His early involvement in drug dealing, motivated by financial necessity and the allure of wealth.
    3. His meteoric rise to prominence in the cocaine market, earning millions of dollars within a short period.
    4. The impact of the “Superfly” movie on his early aspirations and how it influenced his approach to drug dealing.
  4. The Evolution of Cocaine Use:
    1. The difference between powder cocaine and crack cocaine and how the latter became more prevalent in the 1980s.
    2. The misconception that crack cocaine is cheaper than powder cocaine.
    3. The process of cooking cocaine into crack, including the use of baking soda.
    4. The impact of crack cocaine on crime and addiction rates.
  5. Rick Ross’s Arrest and Prison Sentence:
    1. The creation of the “Freeway Task Force,” a dedicated police unit formed to target Rick Ross.
    2. The use of tactics like planting drugs, illegal raids, and entrapment to bring Rick Ross down.
    3. Rick Ross’s conviction under the “Three Strikes” law, which he argues was unjustly applied.
    4. The corruption within the Los Angeles Police Department and its role in Rick Ross’s downfall.
  6. Rick Ross’s Time in Prison:
    1. Rick Ross’s experiences in prison, including the violence he witnessed and the importance of learning to read and write.
    2. The culture of prison gangs and the complex dynamics of alliances and conflicts within prison systems.
    3. His realization that the prison system is not designed for rehabilitation but rather for profit.
    4. His discovery of legal loopholes and his successful appeal of his life sentence.
  7. Rick Ross’s Life After Prison:
    1. Rick Ross’s commitment to advocating for criminal justice reform and challenging the legal system.
    2. His efforts to educate young people about the dangers of the drug trade and to provide them with alternative opportunities.
    3. His involvement in social media and his website, Freewayenterprise.com, which aims to empower individuals in the music industry.
    4. His ongoing investigation into the alleged corruption of the judge who ruled in the Rick Ross case.
  8. The Death of Biggie Smalls and the Rampart Division:
    1. The widespread belief that the Rampart Division of the Los Angeles Police Department was involved in the murder of Biggie Smalls.
    2. The evidence suggesting that the police were corrupt and colluded with gang members.
    3. The impact of the Rampart scandal on the Los Angeles Police Department and the criminal justice system.
    4. Rick Ross’s personal reflections on the death of Biggie Smalls and the violence that plagues the music industry.
  9. The Future of the Music Industry and Social Media:
    1. Rick Ross’s insights into the changing landscape of the music industry and the increasing dominance of social media.
    2. The shift from traditional record label contracts to “360 deals,” where artists are required to share a percentage of all revenue streams.
    3. The power of social media platforms in promoting artists and shaping public perception.
    4. Rick Ross’s belief that social media can be a powerful tool for empowerment and self-promotion.

5 Memorable Quotes

  1. “You gotta dude stole your fucking name.” – Rick Ross expresses frustration over the rapper Rick Ross using his name and identity.
  2. “It’s kinda weird too, you know, to to to I’m sure about his name and identity. and and claiming as you own in in their background.” – Rick Ross reflects on the unsettling feeling of someone claiming his identity and life story.
  3. “How about Bill Roberts? Bill Roberts? I’m ready to wrap it up. Rip Cross. I mean, if you’re with Cross. Sounds like a guy tells you real estate.” – Rick Ross offers a humorous alternative to the rapper’s chosen name.
  4. “Every day I’m hustling is something that I had I used to say. He got that out of a book that Gary Webb World called Dark Alliance, you know, I was telling Gary that, you know, I’m hustling every day. So he took that and turned into a song.” – Rick Ross reveals that the rapper’s famous phrase came from a book about the CIA drug trade.
  5. “The worst thing ever happened, that could be possible. They made private prisons. They made it profitable for people to put people in jail, which is fucking insane.” – Rick Ross expresses outrage over the privatization of prisons and its implications for the justice system.


 

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