Rick Ross set for Scott's birthday bash

American rapper and record executive William Leonard Roberts II, popularly known as Rick Ross, is set to attend businessman and Zanu-PF Member of Parliament Pedzai "Scott" Sakupwanya's birthday celebrations scheduled for February 28.

This will mark Rick Ross' second visit to Zimbabwe, following his November 2022 performance at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), which attracted a large crowd and featured several local artists.

Sakupwanya confirmed the development in a brief post on Facebook, saying the award-winning rapper would be flying into the country for the occasion.

"Rick Ross will be flying to Zimbabwe for the second time. He will be coming on my birthday on 28 February. It's going to be a big celebration. Will be updating you," Sakupwanya said.

Rick Ross also took to his Instagram page to announce his return to Zimbabwe, describing the visit as historic and promising major developments.

"I'm celebrating for you. You better get ready. I am coming for my homeboy Scott. One time for the whole team. It's the biggest boss," he said.

Rick Ross' previous visit to Zimbabwe, however, was not without controversy. His 2022 concert drew mixed reactions after organisers were criticised for poor planning, particularly the handling of the performance line-up. Several local artists, including Kikky, Saintfloew and Hillzy, were sidelined and ended up performing on the red carpet rather than on the main stage as initially expected.

The show, organised by ROAR Entertainment, received both praise and criticism, with many Zimbabwean hip-hop fans expressing disappointment. While the concert was seen as an opportunity to showcase local talent alongside an international heavyweight, the execution left a sour taste for sections of the audience.

News of Rick Ross' impending return has once again sparked mixed reactions on social media, with fans divided over what to expect from the visit.

Rick Ross is widely regarded as one of the most influential rappers in the United States. Over the years, he has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the global music industry, including Mary J Blige, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill, DJ Khaled, French Montana and Sean "Diddy" Combs.

He is also the founder of the Maybach Music Group record label, which has been home to prominent artists such as Wale, Meek Mill, Omarion and French Montana.

Rick Ross burst onto the music scene in 2006 with his debut studio album Port of Miami, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, driven by hit singles such as Hustlin' and Push It. Since then, his career has continued to grow, cementing his status as one of hip-hop's most recognisable figures.