Tony Yayo says Rick Ross will never be Biggie
G-Unit Member Speaks Out Against Rick Ross Comparisons to Biggie
As the hip hop world continues to digest Puff Daddy’s evolving relationship with Rick Ross, G-Unit’s Tony Yayo isn’t holding back. While Diddy praises Ross and even draws comparisons to the legendary Notorious B.I.G., Yayo firmly rejects the idea, calling it “appalling” and declaring that Ross could never be Biggie—under any circumstance.
Diddy’s Co-Sign Draws Ire From the G-Unit Camp
Sean “Diddy” Combs, once the driving force behind Biggie’s meteoric rise, has recently taken Rick Ross under his wing. The two have collaborated on multiple records, and Diddy has even gone so far as to say that Ross reminds him of his late friend and Bad Boy flagship artist, The Notorious B.I.G.
This comparison, while flattering to some, is offensive to others—especially those in G-Unit.
“Rick Ross could never, never walk in Biggie Smalls’ shoes,” Tony Yayo says. “It’s no disrespect to Diddy, but Biggie is my favorite rapper hands down. When I heard that comparison, I got kinda appalled.”
A Legacy That Can’t Be Duplicated
Yayo emphasizes that some legacies are sacred. With that being said, Biggie’s is one of them.
Back in 2003, G-Unit burst onto the scene under the leadership of 50 Cent. Previously, he worked briefly with Diddy at Bad Boy Records. 50’s controversial exit from the label—following an incident involving a firearm—sparked a deep and ongoing tension between the two camps. That history now echoes in the present as Diddy’s new protégé becomes a focal point for those unresolved issues.
Comparing Rick Ross to Biggie, in Yayo’s view, is not just inaccurate—it’s disrespectful.
The Real Backstory: Biggie vs. Ross
The basis for Yayo’s criticism stems not only from his loyalty to Biggie’s memory but also from a glaring contrast in life stories. “Biggie was a real street dude,” Yayo says. “He lived that life before the fame.”
On the flip side, Rick Ross—born William Roberts—worked as a corrections officer before rising to fame in the rap game. This contradiction between persona and real-life background remains a sticking point for G-Unit and others who value authenticity in hip hop.
“You can’t compare the two,” Yayo explains. “Biggie was moving serious weight before he picked up a mic. Ross, on the other hand, was on the other side of the law before he started rapping about that life.”
50 Cent Adds Fuel to the Fire
Yayo’s criticism follows just days after 50 Cent reignited his own feud with Diddy and Ross. Speaking on the lackluster response to Diddy’s upcoming album Last Train to Paris, 50 slammed the project as “trash,” and criticized Diddy for riding the wave of other artists to stay relevant.
“Puff’s not an artist,” 50 said. “He’s just buying a record and singing. Nobody’s buying Last Train to Paris.”
While 50 focused more on Diddy’s current musical output, Yayo went straight for the throat of the Ross-Biggie comparison.
Lil Cease Offers a Different Perspective
Not everyone agrees with Yayo’s harsh assessment. Lil Cease, a longtime friend and collaborator of Biggie and member of Junior M.A.F.I.A., sees things differently. In a recent MTV interview, Cease co-signed Diddy’s opinion, pointing to Ross’s delivery and swagger as reminiscent of B.I.G.
“He’s lyrically hands-on,” Cease said. “He’s got that confidence B.I.G. had; He’s just that big black dude that commands attention. Every time I see him, I feel B.I.G.’s energy.”
While Cease stops short of saying Ross is the next Biggie, he sees the comparison as a compliment—not a threat to Biggie’s legacy.
Diddy Defends His Statement
For his part, Diddy doesn’t seem to be backing away from the comparison. Speaking on Ross’s performance on their “Angels” collaboration, Diddy said, “It’s official. It ain’t bootleg. Even D Roc said Ross was sounding like our homie. That’s a mean co-sign.”
For Diddy, it appears the endorsement comes from a place of admiration and legacy extension—not replacement.
Still, the G-Unit camp isn’t buying it.
Ross Responds with Respect
Despite the controversy, Rick Ross has handled the comparison with humility.
“I’ll never get it twisted,” Ross told DJ Envy. “The magic Biggie created can never be duplicated. That was my mentor. That’s whose music I studied the most. Hearing that come from Diddy is huge. It’s inspiration.”
Even with Diddy’s blessing, Ross seems to understand the weight of the Biggie name and has chosen to treat it as motivation rather than a mantle.
Hip Hop’s Unwritten Rules: Respect the Legends
At the heart of this debate is the unwritten rule of hip hop. So, that rule is respect the legends. For Tony Yayo and many others, comparing anyone to The Notorious B.I.G. crosses a line. As a result, no matter how strong the co-sign may be, some won’t be impressed.
“You can’t force legacy,” Yayo says. “That’s something the streets decide. Not a co-sign, not a record deal.”
As the industry evolves and new artists rise to stardom, the weight of hip hop’s history remains ever-present. And according to Yayo, there’s only one Biggie—and there will never be another.
Conclusion
Tony Yayo’s comments may not sit well with everyone, but they tap into a sentiment shared by many longtime hip hop heads: authenticity and legacy can’t be manufactured. Rick Ross enjoys commercial success and Diddy’s support. However, comparisons to The Notorious B.I.G. strike a nerve with those who were there from the beginning.
Early in Rick Ross’ career, he was compared to B.I.G. Similarly, a couple of years prior, Guerilla Black was also compared to The Notorious. However, in his case, Guerilla Black sounded eerily similar to Biggie. Meanwhile, with Ross, he’s invoked B.I.G. in his videos. Two years ago, Ross borrowed from the “Warning” music video for his own video for “The Boss.” When that video came out, most saw it as Ross paying Biggie homage.
As debates continue, one thing remains clear—Biggie’s influence still casts a long shadow, and not everyone is ready to see that torch passed, even metaphorically.