New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Gorgeous PR) Iconoclast performer, R.A. The Rugged Man, released his second album,
Legends Never Die, on the Nature
Sounds label to exceptional reviews. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, #17 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop album charts, and at #131 on the Billboard 200. He is known for the polemical subject matter which inspires his lyrics - whether it is his political point of view, honoring his 'legendary' father John, or redefining the art of rap. For the last decade he's been keeping fans feigning for this highly anticipated album by penning some of the most revered verses in the history of hip-hop including the award winning verse for Uncommon Valor which received Source Quotable and HipHop Dx's verse of the year. R.A.'s machine gun flow and Razor Sharp lyricism keeps him one of the most respected and sought after in the game.
"The best part about
Legends Never Die is the ridiculously meticulous approach R.A. took to crafting each concept of every song." - The Source
"All vulgar showmanship aside, Rugged Man addresses subjects with clarity and humor." - Pitchfork
"Listen to pretty much any one of his songs and you're blown away by the ninja-like control the guy has over a beat, as well as what he's talking about." - Vice
"Best album of the year." - Dead End HipHop
The album contains 17 tracks with standout songs such as the powerful "Legends Never Die (Daddy's Halo)" written for his father, who succumbed to cancer from exposure to Agent
Orange during the Vietnam War. The Rugged Man and his family were dealt a harrowing blow, as the genetic damage caused by the toxin took not only his father, but his brother, sister and nephew. R.A. turned to writing songs at the young age of 12 as a respite from this family tragedy, which planted the seeds of his political and controversial lyrics.
R.A. has a team of impressive artists and producers with whom he collaborates; among them are Talib Kweli,
Tech N9ne and Buckwild. When
Notorious B.I.G. was asked about R.A., he was quoted saying, "And I thought I was the illest." He has also worked with many other legends including Mobb Deep, Sadat X, Akinyele, Chuck D of Public Enemy, Jedi Mind Tricks, Kool G Rap, Wu-Tang Clan, Masta Killa, Killah Priest, and producers Trackmasters, Erick Sermon, DJ Quik, Snowgoons, Alchemist, and Ayatollah. R.A penned the theme music for Wrestling star Chris Jericho off the Platinum-selling WWE Agression album alongside the likes of Snoop Dogg, Redman, Run DMC, Method Man, Mystikal, and more. Outside the studio you can also find R.A The Rugged Man producing films and writing for Ring and Vibe Magazine as a boxing journalist. He also hosted MTV's film.com show called Film School.
He has accumulated millions of YouTube views and with his latest music videos, "Holla-Loo-Yuh" & "Learn Truth". This week the video for "Learn Truth" featuring
Talib Kweli has received over 240,000 YouTube views, 59,000 Soundcloud plays. It also can be seen hitting #1 on Rapnetwork Record Breakers and Rapattacklives.com. The video is a perfect visual interpretation of the fast-paced and politically-charged lyrics of the track. It can be viewed on MTV Jams as well. His other video called "Holla-Loo-Yuh" featuring
Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko has received over 250,000 YouTube views plus over 62,000 Views on WorldStarHipHop, and 64,000 Soundcloud plays.
Having done over 500 shows in the past few years with the likes of Snoop Dog, Odd Future, Maclemore, Atmosphere,
Busta Rhymes and the list goes on, R.A The Rugged Man is now on a world tour which is selling out shows everywhere. His Canadian tour starts this week. Afterwards he'll be headed over to
Europe in August to headline Hip Hop Kemp with
Kendrick Lamar and KRS-1. He will also be seen rocking the stage in Switzerland with Mac Miller, Yellawolf and Wu-Tang Clan. He'll then be headed back to the U.S. headlining with
Too Short and
Ghostface Killa at the AC3 festival in Atlanta.
