"Idols Become Rivals" is a 2017 track by Rick Ross that serves as a public "open letter" and diss track directed at Birdman, the co-founder of Cash Money Records. Unlike typical aggressive rap battles, Ross adopts a tone of deep disappointment rather than anger, detailing how a man he once looked up to allegedly mistreated his own artists and business partners. 🎤 The Core Message
Ross explains that he used to "model his life" after Birdman's success until he saw the reality behind the business. 🎬 Music Video Symbolism
Ross mentions that even Khaled, known for his loyalty, was allegedly "done dirty" by Birdman.
The visual elements of the music video, directed by Ryan Snyder, further emphasize the bridge-burning theme:
The track features a cameo in its music video by producer Bangladesh, who famously sued for unpaid royalties for the hit "A Milli".