In a world where billionaires like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are digging underground fortresses to outlast potential apocalypses, Rick Ross has thrown his hat into the ring with a bold announcement: the hip-hop mogul is excavating a massive doomsday bunker right beneath his sprawling Georgia mansion. The 54-year-old rapper, known for his larger-than-life persona and real estate empire, revealed the project in a January 18, 2024, Instagram video that’s since gone viral, declaring with his signature bravado: “I’m excavating. It’s going down. Y’all know how I love real estate, and I usually like to build and go up. We going underground now.” Ross, who boasts a net worth of $150 million, didn’t mince words about his motivations, adding: “I know that day is coming soon, and I’m ready!”
The video, which has racked up over 5 million views, shows Ross on his 235-acre Star Island estate in Fayetteville, Georgia—complete with a private airport runway and a fleet of luxury cars—gesturing toward the earth as heavy machinery rumbles in the background. He teased the bunker’s features, including a garage to house his prized vehicles, and took a playful jab at Musk: “Elon Musk, I see you. I saw your ground plans. I’m impressed, but guess what? My bunker gon’ have a garage.” Ross also revealed a conversation with an unnamed “doomsday prepper” who suggested adding a bunker within the bunker for extra security. “What he did say was, ‘Ricky Rozay, you the biggest boss. And your bunker should have a bunker.'”
Ross’s foray into apocalypse preparedness isn’t just talk; it’s part of a growing trend among the ultra-wealthy. Musk has been rumored to be building a massive compound in Texas, while Zuckerberg’s Kauai estate reportedly includes a 5,000-square-foot underground shelter with its own energy system. Ross, ever the one-upper, claims his setup will eclipse them all, complete with stockpiles of canned goods, a water maker, and enough space for his livestock. “One time for all my doomsday preppers,” he rapped in the clip, blending his Maybach Music flair with survivalist swagger.
The announcement has sparked a mix of reactions online. Fans praised the Bawse’s foresight: “Rick Ross out here prepping like a boss—love it!” tweeted @RozayNation (20k likes). Others joked about the logistics: “Ross’s bunker gonna have a Maybach valet?” (@HipHopHumor, 15k retweets). Critics, however, questioned the optics: “While Ross builds bunkers, communities need real help,” posted @SocialJusticeNow (10k likes).
Ross’s real estate obsession is no secret—he owns multiple mansions, including a $35 million Atlanta compound and a $5.8 million Florida estate. The bunker project aligns with his post-retirement pivot toward luxury prepping, following his 2023 announcement of a “self-sustaining ranch” in Georgia. “I’m not waiting for the end—I’m building for it,” Ross told Billboard in a follow-up interview, emphasizing the bunker as a “legacy for my family and community.”
As global tensions rise—from climate crises to geopolitical flashpoints—Ross’s move taps into a booming $4 billion prepper industry. Whether it’s genuine foresight or showmanship, one thing’s clear: when the Bawse says he’s ready, you better believe it.
