THE MMG BOSS IS SETTING UP SHOP IN ATL

(AllHipHop News) Earlier this evening (February 16), Maybach Music Group boss Rick Ross traveled to Atlanta to announce a new partnership with Twelve Music Group founder Dina Marto. The "Movin' Bass" rapper and the former Island Def Jam executive have joined forces to launch the new platform Artists First.

Not only will Ross and Marto work together to discover and develop aspiring writers, producers, and performers through Artists First, the new tandem will host a talent search to find the next member of the MMG roster as well. The imprint home of Wale, Meek Mill, Stalley, and Omarion is also opening an office in Atlanta at Marto's Twelve Studios.

"This is the new home for Maybach Music," reveals Marto. "Their artists will be recording here. Executives will have offices here, so they can get work done while they're in the city of Atlanta."

Marto opened Twelve Studios in 2012. Hit singles such as Nicki Minaj’s "Anaconda" and Miley Cyrus’ "We Can't Stop" were produced at the site.

The 31-year-old Jordan born, Georgia raised businesswoman was also presented a proclamation by Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall. The Council honored Marto for her entrepreneurial success in the city and her contributions to the music industry.

Marto previously worked with L.A. Reid and Shakir Stewart as an A & R coordinator at Island Def Jam. The Oglethorpe University graduate also helped develop the careers of Ross and Young Jeezy, and she has worked on projects by Nas, LL Cool J, and Janet Jackson.

"I was signed to Def Jam by Jay Z, and I was actually pulled out of Miami by a young man named Shakir Stewart - rest in peace. Shakir was one of the dudes that I got closest to in this game," says Ross. "I'd be calling Shake in the middle of the night, and he'd cut his phone off... The next morning he'd say, 'Rozay, if you can't get my phone, hit Dina.' Me seeing her out here grinding, doing her thing, I feel it's only right that she know she got family here."

Watch footage of Rick Ross announcing the new Artists First platform with Dina Marto and the MMG talent search below.