A street in Rick Ross’s hometown of Clarksdale has been named after him

Grammy-nominated rapper and successful entrepreneur, Rick Ross, had a street named after him in his hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi.

MEMPHIS, Tenn — On a day dedicated to celebrating Black freedom and culture, the City of Clarksdale added another name to its storied musical legacy, honoring Grammy-nominated rapper and successful entrepreneur Rick Ross with a street named in his honor.

Amid cheers, music, and community pride, city officials unveiled “Rick Ross Way.” The tribute recognizes Ross’s global impact and the deep roots he maintains in the city where he was born and raised.

Clarksdale’s mayor, Chuck Espy, told ABC24 that while the city is known for being the home of the blues, it’s also the birthplace of musical artists who have represented the area worldwide. He said Rick Ross coming back home for the unveiling is an example of how much he’s inspired the youth.

“When they see that name, he can tell the story and say, ‘I came from the streets of Clarksdale. I made it and so can you.’ It just serves as a reminder that if they can do it, you can do it too,” Espy said.

Ross, who owns Wingstop franchises around the country and built a business empire alongside his successful music career, returned to his hometown to accept the honor. He addressed the crowd outside the very Wingstop where the new street sign now stands.

“I just want all the youngsters to know this is somewhere to be proud of,” Ross said. “Clarksdale is beautiful; it’s amazing, it’s creative. It’s the home of a lot of amazing artists.”

For Ross, the ceremony marked a full-circle moment. In addition to expressing gratitude to the city, he paid tribute to his mother, Tommie Roberts, who stood beside him during the event.

“Every time I see my mama, when I text her in the morning, I always let her know she did it,” he said.

Roberts shared her reflection on what it was like witnessing her son’s rise to fame and acknowledged the sacrifices behind the spotlight. She expressed how seeing a street named after her son is a moment she’ll hold onto.

“He missed a lot of family gatherings, a lot of holidays,” she said. “You see the glitz and glamour, but there’s a lot of heartache behind it. So, this is very special to me.”

Ross also spoke about the pride he felt seeing Clarksdale featured in recent films like ‘Sinners,’ highlighting the cultural relevance the city continues to build.

“I was sitting in the theater and was watching Sinners, and it just hit me: now Clarksdale, wow,” he said. “I’m just looking around at everybody else like, ‘I didn’t know this.’”