Rick Ross reportedly hospitalized 2nd time
Updated 10:42 AM EST
(CBS/AP) MIAMI - Rapper Rick Ross was reportedly hospitalized in Alabama on Friday night after suffering a medical incident about a Memphis, Tenn.-board plane, the second time in six hours that a plane carrying the performer had to be diverted because of concerns about his health.
Ross was scheduled to appear at a University of Memphis basketball event on Friday night, and had even tweeted "Memphis here I come" after a medical scare hours earlier had prompted a Delta Air Lines plane to return to Florida so that Ross could be taken to the hospital.
But the 34-year-old Ross never made his scheduled appearance at an event called "Memphis Madness" on Friday night.
Memphis coach Josh Pastner told the crowd on Friday evening that a private jet carrying Ross made an unscheduled landing in Birmingham after the singer had another medical problem.
"On his way to Memphis," Pastner said, "he had to make another emergency landing, in Birmingham. He got really sick again, and they had to rush him to the emergency room."
Birmingham airport spokeswoman Toni Bast confirmed that a private plane traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Memphis made an unscheduled landing in Birmingham at around 5:30 p.m. because of a medical emergency, but she could not provide any further details.
Rick Ross arrested for pot possession
WMC-TV in Memphis reported that Ross suffered a second medical seizure and had been hospitalized. His condition was not immediately known late Friday night.
Calls to his publicist from The Associated Press were not returned Friday.
Earlier, it was reported that Ross suffered a medical emergency on board a flight to Memphis, forcing the plane to turn back to a Florida airport. Though not many details have been released regarding what caused the health scare, Ross has tweeted from his official account that he's doing okay.
"@ElliottWilson never dat homie..we outchea #mmg powercirle!!!!" Ross tweeted in response to to Rap Radar journalist Elliott Wilson inquiries.
Rapper Wale, a close friend of Ross, also tweeted, "I just talked to Ross...he's 100 pct ok...@tmz #dontpanic #dontpanic #mmg !!!! #gfid dec 13th!"
Officials say Ross suffered the unspecified health problem at approximately 1 p.m. ET. The Delta flight he was on landed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and was met by paramedics. He was conscious and breathing, and was taken to a local hospital.
A witness told TMZ a doctor on board administered CPR on the rapper, and a family member told the website that alcohol or drugs were not involved in the health issue.
A video on his Twitter page Friday night showed him talking from an airplane seat and promising to appear as scheduled in Memphis.
The Miami-based gangsta rapper gained fame with his husky voice and lyrics that spotlighted the grimier side of Miami life. He has become one of rap's most popular figures in recent years.
Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, has a new album titled "God Forgives, I Don't," due out in December.
The hefty rapper's hits include "Aston Martin Music," "B.M.F. (Blowing Money Fast)" and "Hustlin'."