Maybach Music Group (MMG, pronounced MAY-back) is a record label founded by American rapper Rick Ross in 2008, based in Miami, Florida. An imprint of gamma. since 2023, the label was previously an imprint of Def Jam Recordings (2009 to 2011), Warner Records (2011 to 2012), and Atlantic Records (2012 to 2023). The label has signed artists including Wale, Meek Mill, French Montana, Omarion, Rockie Fresh, and Stalley, and has released a total of 29 studio albums, including three compilation albums in its Self-Made series. The Maybach Music vocal tag heard in many of the label's recordings is spoken by Australian model Jessica Gomes. Rick Ross's 2026 album Set In Stone is released under Maybach Music Group under exclusive license to gamma., featuring the track Maybach Music VII with Jeezy and Don Toliver.
In February 2011, Ross parted ways with Def Jam as the label's distributor (although he remained signed as a solo act) in favor of Warner Bros. Records, and signed two of MMG's soon-to-be flagship artists: Washington D.C.-based rapper Wale and Philadelphia-based rapper Meek Mill. The following month, on March 25, Ross signed R&B singer Teedra Moses to the label, the label's first female artist. On May 23, 2011, MMG released the compilation album Self Made Vol. 1, predominantly featuring Rick Ross alongside the label's roster including Wale, Meek Mill, Teedra Moses, Pill, and Stalley, along with the Triple C's. In December 2011, New York rapper French Montana signed a joint venture deal with Maybach Music Group and Sean Combs' Bad Boy Records. In 2023, Rick Ross and Maybach Music Group announced a partnership with Gamma, the multimedia platform that also calls home to Usher and Sexyy Red. The new deal with Gamma sees Ross releasing music on the shingle in addition to spearheading multimedia projects. To celebrate the announcement, Ross reunited with Meek Mill for the single Shaq and Kobe, marking a reconciliation between the two. Ross's longtime business partner and manager Breyon Prescott joins Gamma as executive VP of content, also bringing along his Chameleon Music Group.
How Maybach Music Group Operates
Maybach Music Group runs dedicated A&R under founder Rick Ross from its Miami headquarters. It operates as an imprint of gamma. (since 2023), with distribution through gamma. The label's strength is its founder Rick Ross's status as a nine-time Grammy Award-nominated multi-platinum superstar, which drives massive exposure for its roster. Its model combines a record label, a multimedia operation (via gamma.), and the Self-Made compilation series. The gamma. partnership, with Breyon Prescott as executive VP of content and Chameleon Music Group, expands the label's reach within a multimedia platform that also calls home to Usher and Sexyy Red. The Maybach Music vocal tag (spoken by Jessica Gomes) provides a distinctive sonic brand identity.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you make hip-hop, trap, or Southern hip-hop, Maybach Music Group is a respected label with Rick Ross as its founder and flagship artist, and gamma. as its parent platform. Its track record of developing artists like Meek Mill, Wale, and French Montana shows it can build long-term careers. The gamma. partnership (since 2023) provides multimedia opportunities beyond music, with Ross spearheading multimedia projects. The Self-Made compilation series provides a structured pathway for appearing alongside established roster artists. The Maybach Music vocal tag provides a distinctive sonic brand identity that signals quality to listeners.
Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- Hip-hop and trap focus: MMG signs hip-hop, trap, and Southern hip-hop. Artists in other genres should look elsewhere.
- No unsolicited demos: MMG does not accept cold submissions.
- Ross-centric identity: The label's identity is closely tied to Rick Ross, which can overshadow other roster artists.
- Distribution history: MMG has changed distributors multiple times (Def Jam, Warner, Atlantic, gamma.), which can create uncertainty about long-term stability.
Notable Artists and Releases
| Artist | Release | Year | Chart Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rick Ross | Aston Martin Music ft. Drake, Chrisette Michele | 2010 | Billboard Hot 100 #33, YouTube 453M views, RIAA Platinum |
| Rick Ross | B.M.F. (Blowin Money Fast) ft. Styles P | 2010 | Billboard Hot 100 #25, RIAA Platinum, defining MMG single |
| Rick Ross | Teflon Don (album) | 2010 | Billboard 200 #2, 194,000 first-week sales, RIAA Gold |
| Meek Mill | Dreams and Nightmares (album) | 2012 | Billboard 200 #2, 165,000 first-week sales |
| Wale | Ambition (album) | 2011 | Billboard 200 #2, 164,000 first-week sales, MMG debut |
| MMG | Self Made Vol. 1 (compilation) | 2011 | Billboard 200 #5, 58,000 first-week sales |
| Rick Ross | Set In Stone (album) | 2026 | Released under MMG exclusive license to gamma. |
| French Montana | Pop That ft. Rick Ross, Drake, Lil Wayne | 2012 | Billboard Hot 100 #36, RIAA 3x Platinum |
Videos
Deal Structures
Maybach Music Group has operated under multiple distribution structures throughout its history. From 2009 to 2011, MMG was an imprint of Def Jam Recordings. From 2011 to 2012, it moved to Warner Bros. Records. From 2012 to 2023, it was an imprint of Atlantic Records. Since 2023, MMG operates under gamma., a multimedia platform, with Rick Ross releasing music under exclusive license to gamma. The label offers traditional recording deals to roster artists (Wale, Meek Mill, French Montana historically signed joint venture deals). The 2023 gamma. partnership includes multimedia project provisions beyond music, with Rick Ross spearheading content projects. Breyon Prescott joined gamma. as executive VP of content, bringing his Chameleon Music Group into the MMG ecosystem.
How Artists Get Signed
Maybach Music Group does not accept unsolicited demos. Rick Ross signs artists through A&R scouting and his personal network in the hip-hop industry. The label's signing history shows a pattern of signing artists who already have regional or mixtape buzz (Meek Mill from Philadelphia, Wale from Washington D.C., French Montana from New York via a joint venture with Bad Boy Records). The gamma. partnership expands the signing pipeline into multimedia and content deals. Artists interested in MMG should build a strong hip-hop profile independently and seek representation to reach the label's A&R team.
Similar Labels
- Dreamville Records - J. Cole's hip-hop label with a similar founder-driven model
- Roc Nation - Full-service entertainment company in hip-hop
- Top Dawg Entertainment - West Coast hip-hop label with a curated roster
- Quality Control Music - Atlanta-based hip-hop label with major distribution
Related Resources
- Record Label Contracts Explained - What an MMG deal contains
- Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The gamma. imprint model
- How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building a hip-hop profile
- Dreamville Records - A related hip-hop label
- Maybach Music Group Wikipedia - Roster and history
