Exclusive: Rick Ross Reflects on Early 2000s Rap and R&B Collabs, Calls That Era “Magical”

The Millennium Tour recently wrapped, and again this year, it celebrated R&B and Hip-Hop music for the Millennial generation.

For the past few years, the nationwide tour has been packed with the biggest names from the 2000s R&B/Hip-Hop era like Bow Wow, Omarion, Lloyd, Bobby V, and Ashanti.

This year, headliners Bow Wow, Trey Songz, and Omarion, along with special guest Rick Ross, performed in popular cities including Houston, Las Vegas, Chicago, plus more. And during the tour’s stop in Tampa, Florida, Rick Ross shared his opinion on 2000s R&B and Hip-Hop, stating that they were once a blended genre.

“In the early 2000s, it was like the vibe of R&B music was Hip-Hop. N***** was spittin’ bars on the (R&B) records … It can’t get no more valuable from and R&B perspective.” Ross said.

This would make sense; the most popular R&B records produced in the early 2000s were often a mix between singing and rapping. Many rappers collaborated with singers on soundtracks that fit the vocals of the two, creating a mixed and recognizable sound that often isn’t replicated in today’s R&B music.

Consider hit records performed at the Millennium Tour, like Let Me Hold You by Bow Wow featuring Omarion. In this expressive track, Bow Wow conveys his desire for love and a committed relationship through rap verses, while Omarion echoes that longing in a melodic pleading chorus. This rapper/singer combination is replicated in other memorable 2000s hits like I’m Real by Ja Rule featuring Jennifer Lopez, What’s Luv by Fat Joe featuring Ashanti and 03’ Bonnie & Clyde by JAY-Z featuring Beyoncé.

R&B-infused rap anthems of the 2000s era were shaped by hitmaking producers like Pharrell, Timbaland, Jermaine Durpri, and Kanye West. Their signature production consisted of 808 drum kits, crisp claps and snares, and soulful samples, crafting tracks that were both singable and perfect for rapping.

Ross further explained this familiar production and fusion of genres by referencing songs from Mary J Blige, and Alicia Keys, saying that their early work was something he could have easily rapped on.

“When I think of Alicia Keys’ You Don’t Know My Name … that beat everytime I hear it, I always heard myself spittin’ bars on it. It’s very seldom that I feel like that now.” Ross said.

Rick Ross feeling this way is likely due to the rhythmically strong but not overly complex, mid-tempo sounds that the early 2000s had. Co-produced by Alicia Keys and Kanye West, You Don’t Know My Name featured melodic simplicity, with a steady groove and looped melodies that could easily support rap verses.

When asked about today’s R&B and Hip-Hop, Ross noted that singer/rapper combinations are no longer frequent but recently enjoyed popular collaborations between SZA and Kendrick Lamar. He described their hit record Luther as a strong example of blended R&B and rap with melodic production.

“That s*** was fire, huge, you know what I’m saying? It was capturing that nostalgia, that vintage vibe.” Ross said. He quickly referenced it’s production saying, “I just think those kinds of beats, R&B wise, to me I f*** with them a lot.” 

Ross’s comments underscores how current collaborators, like SZA and Kendrick Lamar, can display a nostalgic fusion of smooth R&B melodies with rap verses. The combination of rap and R&B mixed with melodic production can sometimes resemble the early 2000s sound.

Near the end of the interview, Ross stood firm on his preference for the early 2000s R&B and Hip-Hop combination. He explained that even while enjoying some current R&B records, the 2000s blend will always be the best and most recognizable form of R&B.

“Those collaborations to me were the best when it came to R&B and rap songs. That s*** was just magical because of the production.” He passionately added.

Rick Ross’ quick reflection on the 2000s R&B and Hip-Hop genre tapped into growing nostalgia among Millennials who came of age during an era when R&B and Hip-Hop were deeply intertwined. The 2025 Millennium Tour not only honors the iconic era, but also proves there’s still a strong appetite for the sound and energy that defined early 2000s music.