Tai Saint Louis
Miami rapper Rick Ross has landed his second number one album, as his sophomore release Trilla moved over 198,000 copies since being released on March 11, making it the number one album in the United States.
Trilla, the second collaborative release for Slip-N-Slide and Def Jam Records, is also this week's number one Digital Album.
The album bested releases Snoop Dogg’s Ego Trippin’, which moved over 130,000 units, as well as Fat Joe’s album Elephant in the Room, which landed at number 3 and sold almost 47,000 copies.
Ross's success seems to signal a rebirth of sorts for the Miami-based indie powerhouse, which introduced the world to Trick Daddy and Trina, and is also home to South Florida rapper Plies.
"Hard work pays off," said Slip-N-Slide CEO Ted Lucas, who launched the label in 1993. "Slip-N-Slide Records is not only a nationally recognized record label, but now will be internationally acclaimed, especially with the arrival of Rick Ross, Trina [on] April 1st and Qwote this summer."
Island Def Jam Music Group Chairman Antonio "LA" Reid" agreed with Lucas, noting the effort it took to land at number one on the Billboard charts.
"The Def Jam and Slip-N-Slide staffs, and especially Ross himself, pushed really hard to get here," Reid said. "I'm proud of the work, put more importantly, I'm proud to have Ross cemented among Hip-Hop's elite, where he belongs."
Rick Ross recently released his second single titled "Boss" and the rapper embarked on the Hypnotized Tour to support Trilla earlier this month.
Hosted by pioneering Jacksonville DJ Bigga Rankin and co-headlined by Plies, the tour also features appearances by Juvenile and Trina, who is gearing up for the release of her fourth album Still Da Baddest.
Slip-N-Slide Records is also gearing up for the Summer 2008 releases of R&B/Pop artist Qwote's Jive Records debut, as well as Plies' Definition of Real, the follow up to his 2007 RIAA-certified Gold debut The Real Testament