Drive Down to the ‘Promise Land’ With Rick Ross

www.ozy.com [OZY]() Your World. Bold & Bright Sponsored by [Cariuma](             Fresh takes on the coolest live events, festivals and shows. May 25, 2022 Biggest Boss, Biggest Car Show “Uh, let's pull the two-seater out, baby,” Rick “The Boss” [Ross sang]( in 2010. On Saturday, more than 4,000 people pulled out their cars and bikes and drove them over to the rapper and business mogul’s 44,000-square-foot mansion in Fayetteville, Georgia, for an event some attendees described as "unforgettable" or even "spiritual." The first-ever “[Rick Ross Promise Land Car & Bike Show](” was much more than a competition or spectacle. It was a life-changing moment for those whose cars Ross bought; and for others, it was a chance to get up and close with one of the music world’s biggest stars at his lavish home. – with reporting by Emil Flemmon [A Special Offer For the OZY Family]( [Cariuma]( The shoe with a 34K waitlist is back in stock! 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Guests came from neighboring areas such as Fairburn, Union City, Peachtree City, Riverdale and Forest Park; and from other states, including Alabama, Indiana, South Carolina and Wyoming. Still other guests traveled across the globe, including Poland and Colombia. Ross also displayed his own extensive car collection, ranging from a Trans Am made by Pontiac Firebird to a custom 1977 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS. “Boss” touch The singer drove a golf cart around his palatial grounds, greeting as many people as he could. He then took to the stage to award winners with 24-carat diamond necklaces and decorative plaques. Guests enjoyed food from a colorful array of food trucks showcasing Jamaican food, fresh juices and [Masterpiece Desserts](, including cheesecake infused with flavors of Belaire and Bumbu rums. But it wouldn’t have been a Rick Ross show without those famous vocal cords. Ross belted out a favorite hit, a collaboration with Meek Mill on “Ima Boss.” [be what's trending]( [Cariuma]( We’re always telling you the next big thing in names, trends and ideas, so listen up: These colorful kicks from Cariuma are the next big thing. These trendy kicks are made with bamboo and recycled plastic, and are lightweight, breathable and flexible. Sustainable fashion is all the rage, and thanks to [Cariuma](, you don’t have to sacrifice style and comfort. You can look good while doing good! Don’t see them included in any Memorial Day sales? Don’t worry, today [OZY readers get $15 off](. Use code OZY2022 now! [Shop Now]( Music and cars: Old ties, new love Back from the brink Ross took to [Instagram, saying](, “Today’s the day we all waited for. Wow, it's amazing. I'm thankful.” During a recent interview with “[The Breakfast Club](,” the lyricist explained why he felt it was important to host the exhibition. “I felt like the car culture [was] significant with the music culture the same way with fashion culture,” he said. “I just felt like over the last 10 years, the [car] culture has been dying out … It’s like [we're] reinvesting in what we really own.” Other stars Celebrities such as “Love & Hip Hop” alum and rapper Safaree Samuels, along with DJ Envy, Lil Baby, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and 2 Chainz made appearances before the heavy crowd. “Who doesn’t love cars?” Indeed. That’s what Samuels said; “Who doesn’t love looking at cars and getting behind the wheels of lavish interiors?” Ross gave shoutouts on [YouTube]( following the event, thanking participants: “I appreciate all the hustlers, all the big boys, everybody that supported this car show. It was a huge success, you know what I mean?” he said. “We didn’t have one arrest, one incident, one fight. This the ‘Promise Land,’ so I appreciate everybody respecting the vision, [because] this is a vision.” WATCH RICK ROSS on [The Carlos Watson Show](, Season 4! The vision: An inclusive one Mixing business and pleasure Leading up to the show's exhibition, Ross intentionally advocated for Black businesses to be featured vendors for the event. Whether car lovers needed ideas to customize their vehicles from [Griffin Designs]( to specialized frankfurters from the [Hot Dog Lady](, to energy drinks and bitcoin companies, there was something for everyone. The car show for everyday people, transformed into a multi-faceted affair: reminiscent of a start-up summit, family picnic, car show and a Super Soul Saturday — all rolled up into one. It was a far cry from the first significant automobile show in the U.S. in [November 1900]( in New York City’s Madison Square Garden, mostly tailored toward wealthy white patrons. Mi casa es su casa In contrast to the privileged origins of car shows, Ross wowed brown and Black attendees with the openness and access he gave them to his house, which was once owned by Evander Holyfield and boasts 109 rooms, along with a theater that seats 135 people and a dining room that can accommodate up to 100 guests. Da’Mont Watson, of Decatur, Georgia, submitted his 1965 Buick Electra, which he calls “K-Ro.” He brought his 11-year-old son along. “What [Rick Ross] did really spoke to me, you feel me?” he said. “It ain’t just about the culture, it's history for the car junkies who love preserving and restoring what’s old to make new again. What other Black person [do] you know letting people on their property like this, showing off chrome wheels, carburetors, Lacs and giving back?” Car connection It’s different for different people — as the show in Fayetteville captured. Watson, for instance, grew interested in cars after learning that his birth father was incarcerated for car theft. Now decades later, he was happy to bring his son to the show. “This was my first time putting up the funds for this [because] at first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be received by the people or what to expect, for real,” he said. “But it ended up better than I thought and my son got to see real people, real cars and have a good time.” ABOUT OZY OZY is a diverse, global and forward-looking media and entertainment company focused on “the New and the Next.” OZY creates space for fresh perspectives, and offers new takes on everything from news and culture to technology, business, learning and entertainment. [www.ozy.com]( / #OZY Curiosity. Enthusiasm. Action. That’s OZY! [TV]( | [PODCASTS]( | [NEWS]( | [FESTIVALS]( A Modern Media Company OZY Media, 800 West El Camino Mountain View, California 94040 This email was sent to {EMAIL} [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Read Online](