R.A. The Rugged Man----Legends Never Die

R.A. The Rugged Man-Legends Never Die-Nature Sounds-(2013)

Artist: R.A. The Rugged Man

Album: Legends Never Die

Label: Nature Sounds

Producers: Buckwild, Mr. Green, Apathy, Marco Polo Ayatollah, others  

It’s been a long hot minute for the raspy voice emcee from Suffolk County. R.A. the Rugged Man is not new to the game. In fact, he is underrated and peeps have not given him a chance. He has spit verses throughout many joints on the legendary infamous underground label Rawkus records including an impressive track on the Soundbombing II LP: Rugged Man, hairy fat slob, unshaven/the Ten Commandments, we constantly disobeying. He also made an impressive debut album “Die, Rugged Man, Die” including the heartfelt awesome tag team track with 8-off Agallah “Till My Heart Stops”. Ask MC Hammer have you seen her/I need a freak like Adina, yo 8-off bring the heater. No question this guy have skills. Now he is back with his second album that will keep heads ringing “Legends Never Die”.

            Already this album starts off on the right foot. One thing about R.A. is he knows how to select beats that fits his delivery. Starting off with the background horns and scratches on “Still Diggin With Buck” for the hip hop heads returning to the basics of hard lyrics, DJ scratches and nicely beat and the first single “The People’s Champ” is one of the examples of emcee/producer compatibility when the Rugged Man spits the inferno. The impressive tracks are laced by producer Mr. Green. “Learn Truth” and “The Dangerous Three” are piano laced beats that keep heads nodding. The opera sound and the heavy kicks on The Dangerous Three are perfectly balanced in which the Rugged Man joined with legend Masta Ace and Brother Ali makes a great lyrical trio. The short track “Bang Boogie” and “Definition of a Rap Flow” are fast delivery tracks that ultimately worked to his advantage while "Still Get Through The Day" surface on family medical history struggles with candor. Interestingly enough, you add three elements: 80’s hip hop of beatboxing, 90’s hip hop production and added violin strings for a current feel what you get “Tom Thum” a strictly priceless authentic hip hop track.

            The theme matches the album title with a contemporary twist in production. This album brings a nostalgic feel to how hip hop albums construct in the 90’s era. Although very little diversity of subject matter and a few outdated production tracks that can hit or miss in favor, the added flavor is originality. The rugged man provided originality in his delivery and beat selection in which many artists failed to do. It’s a well packaged underground album in which you don’t have to go commercial and still make a great album. R.A. the Rugged Man is a legend in this game and this album proves that legends never die.

            Strong Tracks: “Still Diggin with Buck”, “The Dangerous Three”, “The People’s Champ”, “Learn Truth”, “Tom Thum”, "Still Get Through The Day"

            Average Tracks: “Holla-Loo-Yuh”, “Media Midgets”, “Shoot Me in the Head”, “Bang Boogie”, “Definition of a Rap Flow”, "Underground Hitz"

            Weak Tracks:  None

            Rating:out of