Photos courtesy of Derek Hui of FreshEra.ca

This Thursday night in Toronto, Rick Ross touched down at the Sound Academy to spread joy to all the children who’ve been good this year and to hand out lumps of coal to the ones who weren’t. Ah, my mistake, I got my bearded fat men confused. Performing for a capacity crowd, Rozay arrived at the venue at 11:20, leaving the crowd to deal with a slew of local ‘talent’ for hours. However, even though Ricky didn’t struggle onto the stage until midnight, one of his opening acts, Rock da House, spread some of his own Christmas spirit by throwing gifts out into the audience during his performance, including money and 2 pairs of Jordans. A laptop and a plasma television were also promised to the crowd, but mysteriously Rock da House’s set expired before he could give those gadgets away. As the stage emptied in anticipation for the Boss man, rumors began to circulate as to who exactly Ross was going to bring out as a surprise guest; would Drake show up to perform Lord Knows? Are any of the MMG goons here? Would we at least get to see Stalley’s beard? The short answer to all of the above: NO!

Since suffering from two strokes earlier in the year, Rick Ross’ health has been a cause of concern for his fans. Sporting a leather football jacket and a white t-shirt that would go on to become translucent with sweat, Ricky walked on stage to ‘The Boss” looking visibly tired. He worked through I’m Not A Star and John before his unnamed hypeman had to take over while Ross retreated to the back of the stage to catch a breath and get some water while his manager Gucci Pucci helped him take his jacket off (it’s a two-man job). The bravado that you’ve come to expect from Rick Ross was still there, his chain, glistening watch in full display as he bragged about how he just bought a lakeside mansion for $9 Million before launching into Aston Martin Music. Though there were three Drake-featured songs on the setlist, the sad realization of the fact that Aubrey wasn’t coming dawned on the crowd soon after Ross finished preforming his verse from Lord Knows, leaving everyone to ask themselves why they spent $60 ($80 from scalpers) on Rick Ross tickets. He finished his set with a few mixtape verses before thanking the crowd and running backstage, hopefully to shower.

Setlist:

The Boss
I’m Not A Star
John
Hustle Hard
Hustlin’
9 Piece
I’m a Boss
I’m on One
Here I Am
Aston Martin Music
BMF
All I Do Is Win
Ambition
Tears Of Joy
John Doe
Lord Knows
MC Hammer
O Lets Do It
Push It
Choppa Choppa Down
Shot Caller
That Way
I Love My Bitches
You The Boss

PREVIOUSLY:

• MUSIC: DJ Khaled Ft. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil’ Wayne – “I’m On One” [Prod. T-Minus]
• MUSIC: Jah Cure Ft. Rick Ross & Mavado – “Like I See It”
• MUSIC: Rick Ross Ft. Drake & Chrisette Michele – “Aston Martin Music”