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Miami’s Chad Thomas making name for himself in hip-hop world
Miami end Chad Thomas had 4.5 sacks last season, second on the Hurricanes. But the senior-to-be has an off-the-field profile that is seemingly growing faster by the day, thanks to his work as a hip-hop producer.
Thomas produced a song on Rick Ross’ latest album, “Rather You Than Me.” The track, “Apple of My Eye,” is the opening song on the album, a breakthrough for the 6-foot-6, 265 pounder as he and the Hurricanes open spring ball Tuesday.
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Thank you bro. Luv ???? https://t.co/UKGD06Ynr0
— Chad Thomas (@MajorNine) March 19, 2017
Thomas told the Washington Post that he first met Ross in high school, with Ross’ DJ asking Thomas, an aspiring producer, to send him some beats. That initial meeting with Ross almost didn’t happen.
“It was either 2013 or 2014. I think it was 2014. Someone set up a meeting with the top high school players on our high school team to meet him at Dave & Busters. A woman that worked for Ross that had a son on the team set it up. I wasn’t going to go at first, but my position coach [Pierre Senatus] just kept calling my phone like, “Where you at?” I’m like, “I’m home.” He said, “I’m coming to get you. We’re going to meet Rick Ross.” I just hopped up, threw on some clothes and went to Dave & Busters.”
The rest, as they say, is history. In the Post interview, Thomas sounds all too aware of the financial troubles that have plagued football players before him, and he certainly looks at music as more than just a hobby.
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With a debut on Ross’ ninth album, Thomas is off to quite the start in his other career.
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Matt Fortuna is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
