Rozay Renaissance

Rick Ross on New Book, NA Spirits, and Exercising With a Joint and Luc Belaire

Rozay is entering a new chapter, literally and metaphorically, with Renaissance of a Boss. Here’s why he thinks it's his ‘best work yet’

By Oscar Hartzog

Oscar Hartzog

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June 4, 2026

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Even the biggest bosses are prone to midlife crises — just ask Rick Ross.

Last month, the veteran rapper released his third book, Renaissance of a Boss: Notes from a Creative Reawakening. Co-authored by Neil Martinez-Belkin (who also co-wrote Ross’ last two books), Renaissance of a Boss sees the “Hustlin” rapper on a literal and metaphorical journey of reflection and reinvention.

Ross’ reawakening journey includes everything from a road trip to Graceland, a failed attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, and insights from fellow artists like Dr. Dre, Bruno Mars, and Bill Murray. Throughout it all, he’s asking himself how, after 20 years in the business, a 50-year-old artist can keep his spark. “If you’re somebody who demands a lot from yourself, like me, it’s not normal, you know,” Ross tells Rolling Stone. “How do you continue to burn and feed that flame, and not only meet your requirements of what you ask for yourself, but over-deliver, you know? Are you happy with yourself? Are you satisfying your cravings of success? That’s what we discussed.”

Rick Ross Interview 2026: New Book, Luc Belaire Alcohol Removed

Renaissance of a Boss: Notes from a Creative Reawakening

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Unlike his previous two books (which both became New York Times bestsellers), Renaissance of a Boss was written in real-time with Martinez-Belkin, as Ross’ journey unfolded. “What made this book so unique is it was really just a lot of different things that we experienced while he was there with me,” says Ross. “It’s one thing to talk about the past, and this was going on, but this book is a lot of things happening, you know. As you flip the script, flip the pages, you’re right there with us, and [Martinez-Belkin] is giving you a perspective, you know, from being to my right side or my left side, so this book is most definitely our best work yet.”

Ross also says he’s taking an unfiltered approach with this book, giving Martinez-Belkin free rein to include whatever he saw fit: “I don’t really give a fuck what he uses for the book. ‘You’re here with me, if you catch it, you catch it. If it don’t make sense, it don’t make sense.’”

Alongside his book, Ross is helping to launch Luc Belaire Alcohol Removed Rare Rosé, a non-alcoholic version of the rosé he has promoted for more than a decade. The obvious assumption is that Ross’ mid-life renaissance includes cutting out alcohol. But that’s not the case. Instead, he’s just accepting the NA movement and continuing to give the fans what they want. “I live in Miami, so I see running clubs, Gen Z bikers, you know, that’s every day. And sometimes [non-alcoholic] is what the vibe is, and we salute that,” he says.

Rick Ross Interview 2026: New Book, Luc Belaire Alcohol Removed

Luc Belaire Alcohol Removed Rare Rosé

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But Ross says he’ll stick to the original Luc Belaire — even when he’s exercising. “When I work out, I smoke with a joint, and I sip Luc Belaire with the alcohol. That’s just me, you know what I mean, I get it. But you need the NA? We got you.”

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