Rick Ross was hospitalized early Thursday morning and is now connected to machines to help him breath and to assist his heart in functioning, according to TMZ. He is in the cardiac unit, which suggests that he suffered a heart attack. The site says he's hooked to a form of life support that oxygenates his blood from the outside before being put back into his body.
Related Rick Ross: Meet the New Boss Superbaked, supersized, superstar: How a husky high school football player became hip-hop's most lovable don
He was hospitalized after someone in his Miami-area home called 911 to report that he was breathing heavy and unresponsive at around 3:30 a.m., according to TMZ. The caller reportedly said that Ross had a history of seizures and that he or she had attempted to wake Ross but that he was "slobbing out the mouth." The authorities told the site that when he came to, he was belligerent.
An ambulance subsequently took the rapper to a hospital where he is receiving respiratory treatment, which TMZ suggests could be for pneumonia. A family member, however, denied the report, telling the site that Ross had not been hospitalized.
Reps for Rick Ross did not immediately return Rolling Stone's requests for comment.
In 2011, Ross lost consciousness and suffered a seizure on a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Memphis. The plane had to make an emergency landing to save him. He also suffered a seizure on another flight around that time. A couple of weeks later, he said that the cause of the seizers was exhaustion. "I would get two hours of sleep and keep moving," he said at the time. "That has to stop." At the time, he said that doctors tested him for a battery of illnesses, including cancer, diabetes and HIV and gave him a clean bill of health.
"It felt like I just dozed off on the couch," Ross told Rolling Stone of the seizures on the planes. "I actually got off the plane like, 'Seizure? Y'all are trippin'.'"
Later, he told Rolling Stone that the seizures could have been the result of smoking too much weed. "I'm most definitely an avid user, a pothead, however you want to look at it," he said. "I call it green caviar. It's like a short vacation – it helps me chill out. And people really love it when I chill out, because I can really be a dickhead."
TMZ reports that Ross subsequently shed 100 pounds as he changed his diet and habits, as a result of the scares.
This story is developing.
Rick Ross Hospitalized After Being Found Unresponsive at Florida Home
Update: TMZ has published a new report Friday (March 2) stating Ross is hooked up to a medical machine that has taken over the role of his heart and lungs. He is currently being treated in the cardio unit of a Miami area hospital. The report concludes saying, "It's essentially a form of life support, and a clear sign of how dire Rick's situation is right now."
Rick Ross Hospitalized, Machine Keeping Him Alive https://t.co/CgKZHddk6w — TMZ (@TMZ) March 2, 2018
Rick Ross was hospitalized early Thursday morning when police and emergency teams were called to the scene after he was "found unresponsive" in his Florida home, according to TMZ. The report also states that the distress and heavy breathing could be pneumonia-related.
The Davie Police Department confirmed the medical crisis to Billboard on Friday (March 2).
Rozay has had a long history of suffering from seizures in the past, which he credited to a lack of sleep. The dispatch record obtained by Billboard says the 911 caller noticed the MMG boss was "slobbing from the mouth" and "nodding his head" after several attempts at waking up the 42-year-old. Local police were alerted to the situation when Ross became "combative" with medics.
Police stated they got involved when "Fire Rescue 65 [requested police] to step it up, which means need to come faster in reference to a combative patient." Sgt. Leone, head of media and public relations, said since "Police officers arrived at 3:43 AM and cleared at 3:47 AM. I can speculate that we didn't get involved. We didn't write a report on it."
The original TMZ report says the Florida native was quickly taken by ambulance to a hospital in the area, where he is being treated for respiratory issues.
Billboard has reached out to Rick Ross' reps for comment.
Rick Ross fans urged to pray for rapper after he is taken to hospital
Missy Elliott, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Snoop Dogg are among stars urging fans to “pray” for the rapper Rick Ross, who has reportedly been hospitalised.
According to reports from outlets including TMZ and People magazine, Ross, 42, was found “unresponsive” when emergency services were called to his Miami home on Thursday morning.
Rick Ross: 24 hours with The Mastermind Read more
TMZ said Ross’s family denied reports that the musician is on life support.
The musician and entrepreneur has received the support of his famous friends on Twitter, including many in the hip-hop world. Elliott wrote: “I BELIEVE in the Power of Prayer. Sending Prayers up for Rick Ross.”
Combs said: “Let’s all pray for Rick Ross.” Snoop Dogg said he was praying for “my guy Rick Ross” and added: “Hope you pull thru my brotha.”
“Everyone pray for my buddy RickRoss to get well soon!” rapper Gucci Mane wrote.
The actor and comedian Martin Lawrence tweeted: “Prayers up for Rick Ross and his family.”
The rapper Fat Trel, who is signed to Ross’s record label, said Ross was “good” and was not on life support. He posted on Instagram: “JUS TALKED 2 MY BIG HOMIE... HE GOOD... HE IN DA HOSPITAL BUT HE IS NOT ON “LIFE SUPPORT” ... HE GOOD.”
Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, suffered two seizures within the space of six hours in 2011.
A representative for Ross did not immediately return a request for comment.
Missy Elliot and Snoop Dogg are among the stars praying for hospitalised rapper Rick Ross.
The 42-year-old is in hospital in Miami, with unconfirmed reports from some US media suggesting he's in a critical condition.
"Prayers up for my guy Rick Ross", Snoop wrote. "Hope you pull thru my brotha."
It's unclear what his condition currently is.
Missy Elliot said she's also praying for the musician and entrepreneur.
P Diddy was among the famous friends asking everyone to pray for Rick Ross.
While Gucci Mane also sent well wishes.
Fat Joe and LL Cool J expressed concern, with the latter telling Rick to "stay strong".
Rick Ross's family has denied reports that the musician is on life support, according to TMZ.
And rapper Fat Trel, who is signed to Ross's record label, has said that Ross is "good" and is not on life support.
Rick Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, suffered two seizures within the space of six hours in 2011.
He said at the time his seizures were due to a lack of rest.
"I would get two hours of sleep and keep moving - me being a hustler," he said.
Newsbeat has contacted a representative for Rick Ross.
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra - if you miss us you can listen back here.
