TMZ is reporting that hip-hop star Rick Ross fell unconscious this Friday after having a seizure.
According to the Associated Press:
Authorities say Ross suffered the unspecified problem aboard a Delta Air Lines flight Friday afternoon. The flight was on its way to Memphis, where Ross was scheduled to perform later Friday.
Officials say the flight landed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and was met by paramedics. Officials say he was conscious and breathing. Ross was taken to a local hospital. His condition was not immediately known.
A Memphis official says Ross called and promised he would still make Friday night’s event.
theGrio: Why Rick Ross needs to lose his belly
TMZ says the plane that Ross was traveling on from Fort. Lauderdale to Memphis was forced to make an emergency landing when the rapper lost consciousness and paramedics performed CPR to revive him.
A member of Ross’ entourage DJ Sam Sneaker recently took to Twitter to say that Ross is now fine: “Thank god @rickyrozay is okay,” he tweeted.
Legendary rapper Scarface tweeted, “Ni**a you better come get on this treadmill with me @rickyrozay you can’t get away that easy.”
Ross’ Maybach Music labelmate Wale has also weighed in: “I just talked to Ross…he’s 100 pct ok…@tmz #dontpanic #dontpanic #mmg !!!! #gfid dec”
Rick Ross himself eventually responded to a tweet from hip-hop writer Elliot Wilson (@ricktrozay Don’t care a ni**a like that. Thanks), tweeting, ”@Elliot Wilson never dat homie…we outchea #mmg powercircle!!!!”
As of 2:11 pm EST #PrayforRickRoss was a top trending topic on Twitter.
Ross has received a lot of flack over the years for being overweight. Critics argue that Ross has promoted an unhealthy lifestyle “in the midst of America’s rising obesity epidemic.” Earlier this year, Ross was featured on the cover of Vibe magazine’s sexy issue where he appeared shirtless for all the world to see.
On his weight, Ross says that he’s always been bigger than the average person.
“I was always the fat black dude with the cheap shoes on,” said Ross in an interview with Rap Basement.
But Ross says his thick skin and ability to tell a good joke has helped him deflect the incessant criticism.