The Falstaffian rapper and entrepreneur was a mere two songs into his inaugural performance at Drai’s, a raucous 30,000-foot nightclub inside Las Vegas’ Cromwell hotel, and “halfway drunk” when he ordered the DJ to stop the music. He found himself transfixed by the multimillion-dollar LED screen above, and needed a beat to take it all in.
“Everywhere around you are the best fans you could ever have. It’s 90 percent tourists, so they came from far and wide to see you and got the phones out, and you’ve got the best speakers,” explains Ross. “It’s that boss shit.”
That was in June of 2021, and Ross has been a regular fixture at Drai’s ever since — recently inking a two-year extension of his residency. And it’s been “a perfect fit” for Drai’s, according to Dustin Drai, president of Drai’s Group, given his “charismatic persona, extensive music catalog, larger than life persona, and his synergy with many other Drai’s residents.”
Drai’s has been at the forefront of championing hip-hop music in Vegas, platforming one rapper after another at a time when EDM DJs dominated the Strip.
“I’m in the position now where I can go and party wherever I want,” offers Ross. “And we love to party here.”
It’s 11 p.m. and I’m in Ross’ palatial hotel suite at the nearby Palms, replete with a movie theater, stocked kitchen, and pool table. In a few hours, the 47-year-old will rock the stage of Drai’s in front of a packed house that’ll include Ja Rule (donning a Jheri-curl wig for Halloween). But for now, the Miami MC is lounging around, shooting pool in a white T-shirt, colorful shorts, and black flip-flops, while puffing on blunt after blunt, as this reporter dances around him asking questions.
You’ve signed another two-year residency at Drai’s. Why is it your favorite place to perform in Vegas?
You know, I went to the mall today and came up with the perfect response to that. The reason why I turn up so much is because Drai’s is the Louis Vuitton of nightlife, and you gotta pull out your fuckin’ very finest. You gotta pull out your very finest.
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Vegas used to be synonymous with Sinatra and aging performers, but now there are hot, young performers doing it out here.
Most definitely. It’s either that or we’re seeing it in a different way because we’ve grown into that older class. But being younger and going through Vegas, you were never actually seeing anyone you wanted to see. Other than a Michael Jackson look-alike or some shit, it was always older generations of entertainers. Now, this shit is really poppin’. Vegas is on fire. I remember 10 years ago, there wasn’t any hip-hop on this set. There weren’t any vibes like that. From 10 years ago to now, aw man, Drai’s is a big reason. When you fly in for Drai’s now, you fly in on your G550 and this may be the only place where you cross Kim Kardashian and go, “Kim, what’s up!” And that’s before you even get off the fuckin’ runway. When they had the NBA preseason here, I looked up and saw LeBron [James] and the names kept going. It was like Drai’s gave me a one-day NBA deal. When you go to Drai’s at night and then the pool party the next day, you had the best time but you’re exhausted, and you go home, get in flip-flops, and spend the next three days telling your friends what it was like.
What do you get up to in Vegas?
Well, shopping and partying is number one. And you know me — I gotta get some side bets with some homies that are really good gamblers. You gotta hit the casinos. Even if you’re not a gambler, just put a thousand to the side. Fuck it. It’s a thousand dollars. You’ll enjoy it. Go play some blackjack and talk shit by the time you’re on your third or fourth tequila shot. I bet Diddy a million-dollar bet, and I won. We were in the recording studio in the Palms, which is fucking legendary, playing dice.
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Did he pay up?
Of course he did!
That was in June of 2021, and Ross has been a regular fixture at Drai’s ever since — recently inking a two-year extension of his residency. And it’s been “a perfect fit” for Drai’s, according to Dustin Drai, president of Drai’s Group, given his “charismatic persona, extensive music catalog, larger than life persona, and his synergy with many other Drai’s residents.”
