Rick Ross Shooting Reminds French Montana: 'You Gotta Protect Yourself'

When French Montana refers to Rick Ross, he does it with respect, love and admiration. On Wednesday (February 13), the Maybach affiliate appeared on "RapFix Live" and repeatedly reminded viewers that Rozay is more than just a rap friend, but his brother. So when Ross was shot at on January 28, hours after celebrating his birthday, yes, it affected French.

"I was with him that night. It was his birthday at Club Liv. I was like the last person that walked him to the car before he drove off," Montana told host Sway Calloway and guest Jermaine Dupri as they sat and listened. "When it's your birthday, you think everybody loves you. You're not thinking nothing of it."

For the most part, Wednesday's show was a celebratory one. It was the first "RapFix Live" episode of 2013 and the first on the show's new set marked by its brick wall, wood floor and DJ booth, manned by Statik Selektah.

When Sway asked about Ross, the conversation took a heartfelt turn. "You never know," French advised. "You just always gotta protect yourself."

Rozay looked to be in good spirits when he walked the red carpet at the Grammys on Sunday. He didn't dwell on the attempted drive-by, but he didn't ignore the danger either. "[There are] no suspects and we not here to speculate on any suspects," Ross told Sway, speaking about the incident for the very first time. "I'm just staying positive, I'm moving forward, and I'm just staying on top of my game."

On top of the game, he is. After making a statement with 2012's Grammy-nominated God Forgives, I Don't, Rozay is planning his sixth solo LP, Mastermind, for release later this year. He is clearly capitalizing off his success, but sometimes that success comes with a price. "A lot of people just hate you for no reason," French said. "That's my brother, and the only thing I could do is give him advice."