Rapper Rick Ross, the stage name William Leonard Roberts II, has stated that Africa's global influence should have arrived much sooner. He believes that African music is now dominating the global soundscape, with Afrobeats and other genres reshaping mainstream music globally. Speaking to CNN's Lamide Akintobi, Ross compared the impact of Afrobeat on African music to that of Fela Kuti, comparing it to James Brown's influence on early hip hop. He also revealed that a new collaborative project with African artists and producers is already underway through his label, Maybach Music Group. The rapper also expressed interest in investing in real estate in South Africa during a recent trip to Durban, indicating a potential for long-term partnership.