Rick Ross
Introduction
Rick Ross, born William Leonard Roberts II, is an American rapper and music executive whose booming vocal presence and rags-to-riches storytelling carried his 2006 debut album Port of Miami to the top of the Billboard 200, and who founded Maybach Music Group, the label behind Meek Mill, Wale and French Montana. In September 2026 his public image collided with a far darker story: his ex-girlfriend, model and real estate agent Jazzma Kendrick, publicly accused him of physically abusing her during their relationship, sharing photos of a visibly injured lip and describing herself as having been treated like a “punching bag.” The accusations spread rapidly across social media and entertainment press, drawing reactions from fans and fellow artists — including his longtime rival 50 Cent — while Ross has so far said nothing publicly in response.
Background Information
Roberts was born on January 28, 1976, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and raised in Carol City, Florida; before his music career he worked as a correctional officer for 18 months from December 1995 until his resignation in June 1997. His debut single “Hustlin’” sparked a bidding war in 2006, and he signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Jay-Z at Def Jam Recordings; the albums Trilla (2008), Deeper Than Rap (2009), God Forgives, I Don’t (2012) and Mastermind (2014) also reached number one, and “Aston Martin Music” earned triple-platinum certification. He founded Maybach Music Group in 2008 and has received nine Grammy Award nominations. Kendrick, 39, went public with her relationship with Ross in August 2025; the following month she announced they had broken up, but the two reconciled and made their red carpet debut together at the 2026 BET Awards that June. It is unclear when the relationship ended for good.
The Controversy or Incident That Led to Their Cancellation
Allegations. The claims in this section are allegations made by Jazzma Kendrick on her Instagram account, as reported in fetched entertainment-press coverage. They were never admitted by Ross, no police report or criminal charge has been reported, and they have never been adjudicated in court. Ross has not publicly responded to them.
The accusations surfaced over the weekend of September 26–27, 2026, when Kendrick took to her Instagram Stories to respond to a follower’s comment on a selfie of hers that read, “I’m seeing what Rick is seeing your so gorgeous.” Her reply was blunt: “He saw a punching bag.” She then posted a close-up photo of her face, writing that it was taken “the day Rick busted my lip and the day I left,” and followed it with a more graphic image in which she held up her upper lip to reveal a bloody injury, writing, “I don’t know a lot of things, but I do know that a man that puts his hands on me, is a man that never loved me and never will.” She closed the series with a message aimed at others in similar situations: “It’s always good until it isn’t. If a man hits you one time, he will do it again. Don’t give him the opportunity. Value your life and leave.” Kendrick did not specify when or where the alleged abuse occurred, and no incident date or location has been established in the coverage.
Public Reaction and Consequences
The graphic nature of the posts and the directness of Kendrick’s wording drew immediate attention, with many online praising her for speaking out publicly rather than staying silent about the alleged abuse. Fellow artists and public figures reacted quickly, and the most notable response came from 50 Cent — Ross’s longtime rival, usually known for trolling him online — who dropped the humor entirely: “This punk put his hands on baby girl, he stressed that album didn’t sell. I’d laugh at him, but domestic violence is not a joke.” Entertainment press framed the situation as unresolved, noting that given how direct and detailed the posts were, Ross might have to address the accusations as more fans and public figures continued to react. Page Six reported that it reached out to Ross’s representative for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Current Status
As of September 28, 2026, Ross has not publicly addressed Kendrick’s claims. Instead, he posted videos of himself enjoying a Miami Dolphins home game and drinking poolside at his 15,000-square-foot home on Florida’s Star Island. No lawsuit, police complaint or criminal charge arising from the accusations has been reported by any fetched source, and the claims remain unadjudicated. Kendrick’s posts remain the only public account of the alleged incidents.
Impact on Their Career/Life
The accusation lands on an artist whose brand is built on larger-than-life excess and authority, and it has already reframed the conversation around him from music to conduct: within a day, the story ran across Page Six, The Source and MadameNoire, and his most famous rival was publicly calling the alleged behavior domestic violence. Whether business consequences follow — brand partnerships, label artists distancing themselves, venue or festival bookings — remains to be seen, since no such action has been reported yet. The silence from Ross’s camp, with only leisure posts filling his feed while the allegations trend, has itself become part of the story.
Sources
- Page Six, “Rick Ross’ ex-girlfriend accuses rapper of physical abuse: ‘He saw a punching bag’,” 28 September 2026 — source
- The Source, “Rick Ross Accused of Assault by Ex-GF Jazzma Kendrick,” 28 September 2026 — source
- MadameNoire, “‘He Saw A Punching Bag’ — Rick Ross’ Girlfriend Jazzma Accuses Rapper Of Busting Her Lip, Shares Photos Of Alleged Physical Assault,” 28 September 2026 — source
- Wikipedia, “Rick Ross” — source