Trap Choir and Tuxedos: Rick Ross Sets Formal Dress Code for ‘Port of Miami’ 20th-Anniversary Tour

Grammy-nominated hip-hop heavyweight Rick Ross, shown in this promotional portrait, is set to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his 2006 debut album, "Port of Miami," with a unique 17-city national tour. The "Port of Miami" 20th Anniversary Black-Tie Experience — featuring the Renaissance Orchestra and Sainted Trap Choir — will visit prestigious theaters across the country, with formal attire heavily encouraged for attendees. (Photo: Will Sterling Courtesy of MMG)

The Biggest Boss is trading standard arenas for symphony halls to celebrate the album that laid the foundation for his empire.

On Wednesday, Rick Ross officially announced the "Port of Miami" 20th Anniversary Black-Tie Experience. The 17-city national tour will celebrate two decades since the release of his blockbuster 2006 debut, pairing his foundational street anthems with the Renaissance Orchestra and the Sainted Trap Choir.

The ambitious trek will kick off on May 29 at the James L. Knight Center in his hometown of Miami, delivering an unprecedented level of luxury to chart-topping, trap-heavy records like "Hustlin'" and "Push It."

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For the Grammy-nominated hip-hop heavyweight, the tour is a deliberate pivot from a traditional hip-hop show into a high-society gala aesthetic. Attendees are heavily encouraged to dress in formal black-tie attire for the performances, which will hit illustrious venues across the country, including the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, the Beacon Theatre in New York, and the Chicago Theatre, before concluding in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 29.

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“Port of Miami was the foundation of an empire, the blueprint to the biggest boss,” Ross stated in a press release regarding the tour's grand vision. “Twenty years later, we aren't just celebrating an album; we are elevating the culture. Bringing this music to the stage with a full orchestra and choir in a black-tie setting is about cementing the legacy. It's luxury, it's historic, and it's a milestone we are going to celebrate at the absolute highest level."

Released in August 2006, "Port of Miami" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and permanently altered the soundscape of Southern rap. The album introduced the world to the undeniable, larger-than-life persona that would eventually define the Maybach Music Group era.

Ross also took to social media to celebrate the milestone, acknowledging his relentless two-decade run in the industry.

"Twenty summers later. I never stopped Hustlin," Ross wrote to his followers on Instagram. "A black-tie experience performed live with @renaissanceorchestra and the legendary @saintedtrapchoir. From the 305 to the world. Lock in your city. Get fly."

Tickets for the historic anniversary tour went on sale to the general public this morning, Friday, March 13.

Eminem Pays Tribute As Lord Sear, Longtime Shade 45 Radio Host, Dies at 52

Steve "Lord Sear" Watson, a veteran hip-hop DJ and long-standing SiriusXM radio personality, smiles in an undated black-and-white promotional portrait. Watson, whose deep roots in the 1990s New York underground scene translated into a nearly two-decade run as a cornerstone of Eminem's Shade 45 channel, died Wednesday, March 11. He was 52. (Photo courtesy of SiriusXM)

The hip-hop community is mourning the loss of a foundational voice and a true New York heavyweight.
Lord Sear, the veteran DJ, rapper, and long-standing SiriusXM radio personality, died on Wednesday, March 11. He was 52.

Born Steve Watson in Harlem, New York, Sear served as a cornerstone of satellite radio on Eminem’s Shade 45 channel for nearly two decades. He built a massive national following co-hosting "The All Out Show" alongside Rude Jude, where his booming laugh, encyclopedic hip-hop knowledge, and razor-sharp humor became a daily ritual for millions of listeners. He later transitioned into a solo anchor role, commanding his own flagship program, "The Lord Sear Special."

WE ARE SAD TO REPORT THAT OUR DEAR FRIEND AND HOST, LORD SEAER HAS PASSED AWAY AT AGE 53. SEAR WAS MORE THAN A VOICE ON THE RADIO - HE WAS A FORCE, A FRIEND, AND FAMILY TO SO MANY OF US! IN HIS HONOR, PLEASE TUNE IN TOMORROW FROM 12–4PMET/9AM-1PMPT ON SHADE 45, WHERE FRIENDS WILL… pic.twitter.com/MvWBPu8GwA

— Shade45 (@Shade45) March 11, 2026

Following the news of his passing, Shade 45 released an official statement honoring his decades-long impact on the station and the genre.

"Sear was one of the greatest people to be around, I will never forget how he made me laugh on our tour together. Our time on Shade 45 together was always some of my favorite interviews. He made the world a better place and I'm gonna seriously miss that. Rest in peace Lil Trey."

— Eminem

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Lord Sear. He was more than a voice on the radio — he was a force, a friend, and family to so many of us,” the station wrote. “Rest easy, Lord Sear. The culture will never forget you.”

Sear’s connection to the culture was deeply rooted in the 1990s underground hip-hop scene. He was a frequent, scene-stealing fixture on the legendary "The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show" on WKCR, providing comedic relief, raw energy, and freestyle verses that became the stuff of New York mixtape lore. His memorable vocal cameos and close associations with 90s artists — most notably his work on Kurious’s classic 1994 album, "A Constipated Monkey" — helped define the golden era's irreverent, cypher-heavy energy.

His influence extended far beyond the soundproof walls of the studio. During the early 2000s, Sear took his turntable talents to arenas worldwide, touring alongside Eminem as a DJ during the monumental "Anger Management Tour."

Eminem publicly honored his longtime friend and collaborator on Thursday, issuing a heartfelt tribute that recalled their shared history on the road and on the airwaves.

“Sear was one of the greatest people to be around, I will never forget how he made me laugh on our tour together,” Eminem wrote in a tribute posted to X. “Our time on Shade 45 together was always some of my favorite interviews. He made the world a better place and I'm gonna seriously miss that. Rest in peace Lil Trey.”

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Lord Sear. He was more than a voice on the radio — he was a force, a friend, and family to so many of us... Rest easy, Lord Sear. The culture will never forget you."

— Shade 45

The grief extended across the entire hip-hop ecosystem, with peers and legends sharing their own memories of the iconic broadcaster. Legendary producer DJ Premier expressed his disbelief online, writing: “Love You Sear. Crazy we spoke Monday night and you sounded fine. Snapping on each other like we always do.”

Fellow New York rap staple Fat Joe also paid his respects, adding: “God bless i know him my whole career love you sear.”

Beyond traditional music media, Sear's iconic voice also soundtracked a generation of gamers. Rockstar Games issued a statement acknowledging his famous role as the co-host of "Game FM" in the blockbuster video game "Grand Theft Auto III," writing: “Rest In Peace Lord Sear, Titan of NYC Hip-Hop and host of GTAIII's Game FM.”

Sear’s passing leaves a profound void in hip-hop media. He was a broadcaster who never lost his authentic connection to the streets that raised him, serving as a vital bridge between 90s underground purism and modern global radio.

Tlc, Salt-N-Pepa, and a Reunited en Vogue Bring 90s Dominance to the iHeartRadio Music Awards

The trailblazing R&B group En Vogue poses for a studio portrait. The legendary trio is preparing to share the stage with TLC and Salt-N-Pepa — a historic, first-of-its-kind collaboration — at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards. The highly anticipated March 26 performance in Los Angeles will mark the group's continued run with reunited original member Maxine Jones. (Photo/RBUniversalFan)

Before "girl power" became a commodified pop slogan, the actual groundwork was being laid on the hip-hop and R&B charts. On Thursday, March 26, the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles will host a first-of-its-kind collaborative performance featuring the era's most defining trailblazers: TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue.

The joint set at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards brings together three groups that fundamentally shifted the culture for women in music. Salt-N-Pepa introduced unapologetic sex positivity and feminism to hip-hop, TLC rewrote the rules of female autonomy and financial independence with diamond-selling dominance, and En Vogue provided the vocal blueprint for self-respect and boundary-setting.

While the triple-threat billing is a major draw for the telecast, the En Vogue appearance carries significant cultural weight. The performance marks the group's continued run with original founding member Maxine Jones, who made her highly anticipated return to the lineup in early 2025 at the NBA All-Star Game.

Her return — which eventually preceded the late-2025 departure of longtime member Rhona Bennett — restored the original vocal blend that anchored timeless anthems like "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" and "Free Your Mind." The reunion of Jones with Terry Ellis and Cindy Herron has not been without its signature behind-the-scenes friction; former member Dawn Robinson publicly criticized the move late last year, claiming Maxine's return was a "set up" to oust Bennett.

Despite the noise, the current trio has remained focused on the stage, leaning into the nostalgia of their restored lineup.

“Having Maxine back and sharing it with our fans around the world — was beyond special,” Herron stated regarding the group's revival.

Now, that revived chemistry will be showcased on live television alongside their peers. A joint appearance with Salt-N-Pepa naturally sparks anticipation for a live rendition of their 1993 multi-platinum smash "Whatta Man." Adding TLC — the best-selling American girl group of all time — into the mix elevates the set into a definitive celebration of the era's dominance.

The ceremony, airing live on FOX, will be hosted by Atlanta rap pioneer Ludacris, who is also set to receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Landmark Award. The accolade honors artists whose portfolios have shaped the culture across multiple decades. Since his 2000 breakthrough with "Back for the First Time," Ludacris has shifted 24 million records globally and expanded his footprint into Hollywood.

“I'm excited to return as host of the iHeartRadio Music Awards to celebrate and perform alongside some of the best in the industry,” Ludacris said in a press release. “It's going to be a night with special performances and surprise moments fans are going to love.”