Maybach Music Group
An American hip hop record label founded by rapper Rick Ross.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Maybach Music Group, commonly abbreviated as MMG, is an American hip hop record label founded by rapper Rick Ross in 2008. The label was established as an imprint and joint venture associated with Ross's then-label, Def Jam Recordings, and developed into a prominent artist-led imprint during the 2010s. Its identity is closely tied to Southern and East Coast rap, commercial album releases, compilation projects, guest collaborations, and a distinctive vocal tag—"Maybach Music"—heard on many of its recordings. MMG's early recorded output centered on Rick Ross and Triple C's, a hip hop group associated with Ross that included Gunplay, Torch, and Young Breed. The label's first major release was Ross's Deeper Than Rap in 2009, followed by Triple C's Custom Cars & Cycles. During its first years, MMG operated through a changing series of distribution relationships. It was initially linked to Def Jam Recordings, moved to Warner Bros. Records in 2011, and then moved to Atlantic Records in 2012. These arrangements gave the imprint access to major-label manufacturing, marketing, and distribution while allowing Ross to maintain a recognizable label identity and help develop a roster of affiliated artists. The label expanded significantly in 2011 with the additions of Washington, D.C., rapper Wale and Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill. Other artists connected with MMG during its expansion included Stalley, Pill, Teedra Moses, French Montana through a joint venture with Bad Boy Records, Omarion, Rockie Fresh, Gunplay, and several other performers. MMG's compilation series Self Made provided a platform for multiple members and affiliates, with volumes released in 2011, 2012, and 2013. The label also issued solo albums and projects from its artists, including commercially successful releases by Ross, Wale, and Meek Mill. MMG's catalog includes multiple albums that reached number one on the Billboard 200. These include Ross's Deeper Than Rap, God Forgives, I Don't, and Mastermind; Wale's The Gifted and The Album About Nothing; and Meek Mill's Dreams Worth More Than Money and Championships. The label's releases have also accumulated gold and platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America, although certification status applies to individual releases rather than necessarily to the label as a whole. The imprint's roster and business relationships have changed repeatedly. Some artists were short-term signings, affiliates, or involved in joint ventures rather than permanently exclusive MMG acts. The label announced plans for regional or genre-oriented extensions, including Maybach Music Jamaica and Maybach Music Latino, but those initiatives did not develop into substantial operating divisions. In 2023, MMG became an imprint of gamma., following its earlier period of distribution through Atlantic Records. Its business is centered on recorded music, artist projects, compilations, licensing, and related promotional activity. The label remains primarily identified with Rick Ross and the commercial hip hop ecosystem he built around the Maybach Music name.
History
Maybach Music Group was founded by Rick Ross in 2008 as an imprint and joint venture connected to Def Jam Recordings. The label's earliest signings included Triple C's, a group associated with Ross and comprising Gunplay, Torch, and Young Breed, and singer Masspike Miles. Ross's Deeper Than Rap, released in 2009, served as the label's first major album release. Triple C's followed with Custom Cars & Cycles later in the year. A second Triple C's project, Color, Cut & Clarity, was planned but did not receive a commercial release. In 2010, MMG continued to operate around Ross's solo career, including the release of Teflon Don. The label's profile changed substantially in 2011, when Ross moved distribution from Def Jam to Warner Bros. Records and signed Wale and Meek Mill. Teedra Moses also joined in 2011 as the label's first female artist. The first Self Made compilation, released in May 2011, presented Ross alongside Wale, Meek Mill, Teedra Moses, Pill, Stalley, and members of Triple C's. Plans for Maybach Music Jamaica and Maybach Music Latino were announced but did not develop into effective long-term sub-labels. MMG broadened its network in late 2011 when French Montana entered a joint venture involving MMG and Sean Combs's Bad Boy Records. His album Excuse My French was later released through a separate arrangement involving Interscope Records. In 2012, MMG signed Omarion, promoted Gunplay as a solo artist, and added Rockie Fresh. The label issued Self Made Vol. 2 and Ross's God Forgives, I Don't during the same period. In December 2012, Ross shifted distribution again, this time from Warner Bros. Records to Atlantic Records. The third Self Made compilation was announced in 2013 and released in September of that year. The project was supported by several songs and music videos, while Stalley released the Honest Cowboy EP through the label. MMG also signed Fat Trel in 2013. Over time, the roster became fluid, with artists departing, working through joint ventures, or being associated with the label for individual projects rather than for an extended exclusive term. MMG's strongest commercial period produced a substantial run of successful albums. Ross's Deeper Than Rap, God Forgives, I Don't, and Mastermind; Wale's The Gifted and The Album About Nothing; and Meek Mill's Dreams Worth More Than Money and Championships each debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The label's broader catalog includes 29 studio albums, including the three Self Made compilations, and a number of releases certified gold or platinum by the RIAA. The imprint's public identity has remained anchored in Rick Ross, even as its distribution and roster arrangements have changed. Its recordings commonly feature the spoken "Maybach Music" tag performed by Australian model Jessica Gomes. After operating through Def Jam Recordings, Warner Bros. Records, and Atlantic Records, MMG became an imprint of gamma. in 2023. Its current activities are best understood as label and imprint operations involving recorded music, artist releases, collaborations, and catalog exploitation.
- 2023
MMG becomes a gamma. imprint
[1]The label enters a new corporate affiliation after its Atlantic Records distribution period.
- 2013
Self Made Vol. 3 is released
[1]The third volume of the label's collaborative compilation series arrives alongside projects from Stalley and other affiliated artists.
- 2012
Distribution moves to Atlantic Records
[1]MMG changes its major-label distribution relationship from Warner Bros. Records to Atlantic Records.
- 2011
Wale and Meek Mill join the roster
[1]The label expands its artist base and releases Self Made Vol. 1.
- 2009
Deeper Than Rap is released
[1]Rick Ross's Deeper Than Rap becomes MMG's first major album release.
- 2008
Maybach Music Group is founded
[1]Rick Ross launches MMG as an imprint and joint venture associated with Def Jam Recordings.
Products and positioning
An artist-led, commercially oriented hip hop label centered on Rick Ross, major album campaigns, collaborative compilation releases, and a broad roster of rap and R&B performers.
Compilation albums · 2011
Self Made series
MMG's principal compilation series, presenting Rick Ross with label artists and affiliated performers. Three volumes were released between 2011 and 2013, helping establish the collective identity of the roster and providing a shared platform for new singles, collaborations, and artist introductions.
Studio albums · 2009
Rick Ross releases
Rick Ross's MMG-associated album catalog forms the label's central commercial foundation. Key releases include Deeper Than Rap, God Forgives, I Don't, and Mastermind, all of which reached number one on the Billboard 200 according to the referenced material.
Studio albums · 2013
Wale releases
Wale's work associated with MMG includes The Gifted and The Album About Nothing, both cited as number-one Billboard 200 albums. His releases connected the label's Southern rap identity with Washington, D.C.'s rap tradition and a more lyric-focused commercial style.
Studio albums · 2015
Meek Mill releases
Meek Mill became one of MMG's defining artists after joining in 2011. Dreams Worth More Than Money and Championships are among the label-associated projects cited as Billboard 200 number-one albums, reinforcing MMG's position in mainstream rap.
Singles · 2008
Maybach Music singles and collaborations
The label releases individual songs and collaborative recordings built around its artists, guests, and compilation campaigns. Many recordings use the spoken Maybach Music tag, which became a recurring sonic marker of the imprint.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013Self Made Vol. 3 campaign
United States
MMG announced the third compilation with advance songs including Poor Decisions, God Is Great, and Oil Money Gang, supported by music videos.
Outcome. Self Made Vol. 3 was released in September 2013 and received generally positive reviews.
- 2012Self Made Vol. 2 campaign
United States
The label supported its second compilation while also promoting releases and artist projects involving Ross, Gunplay, Omarion, and other MMG-associated performers.
Outcome. The campaign extended MMG's collective branding and expanded its audience through a broader roster.
- 2011Self Made Vol. 1 campaign
United States
MMG promoted its first compilation through a multi-artist release featuring Rick Ross, Wale, Meek Mill, Teedra Moses, Pill, Stalley, and Triple C's.
Outcome. The project established the Self Made series as a central showcase for MMG's expanding roster.
Brand decisions
2023
MMG changes corporate affiliationStrategyBackground
Following its Atlantic Records period, the imprint entered a new operating relationship.
Action taken
Maybach Music Group became an imprint of gamma.
Aftermath
The change marked a new phase for the label's recorded-music operations and catalog.
2012
Distribution moves from Warner Bros. Records to Atlantic RecordsStrategyBackground
MMG continued to revise its major-label distribution structure as its roster and release plans expanded.
Action taken
Rick Ross ended the Warner Bros. distribution arrangement and selected Atlantic Records for the next phase.
Aftermath
Atlantic became the label's distributor through 2023, before MMG's later affiliation with gamma.
2011
Distribution moves from Def Jam to Warner Bros. RecordsStrategyBackground
After MMG's initial period as a Def Jam-associated imprint, Rick Ross changed the label's distribution arrangement while continuing to develop the roster.
Action taken
Warner Bros. Records became the label's distribution partner, coinciding with the signings of Wale and Meek Mill.
Aftermath
The move supported MMG's expansion into a larger multi-artist label operation.
Recent events
- 2023
MMG becomes an imprint of gamma.[1]
Other
The label's corporate affiliation changed after its Atlantic Records period, with MMG becoming an imprint of gamma.
- 2012
MMG changes distribution from Warner Bros. Records to Atlantic Records[1]
Other
Rick Ross moved MMG's distribution relationship from Warner Bros. Records to Atlantic Records.
- 2011
Wale and Meek Mill join Maybach Music Group[1]
Leadership change · Product launch
MMG expanded its core roster by signing Wale and Meek Mill and released the first Self Made compilation.
- 2009
Deeper Than Rap becomes MMG's first major album release[1]
Product launch
Rick Ross released Deeper Than Rap, the label's first major album project, followed later that year by Triple C's Custom Cars & Cycles.
- 2008
Maybach Music Group launches as a Def Jam-associated imprint[1]
Other
Rick Ross established Maybach Music Group as an imprint and joint venture associated with Def Jam Recordings.
Sources1 sources
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