R.A. the Rugged Man

R.A. Thorburn, better known by his stage name R.A. the Rugged Man, is an American rapper and producer.[2] He began his music career at age 12, building a reputation locally for his lyrical skills. Thorburn signed to major label Jive Records at age 18, but his debut album, Night of the Bloody Apes, was never released.[3]

Not to be confused with Ruggedman.
R.A. the Rugged Man
R.A. the Rugged Man in 2017
Background information
Birth nameR.A. Thorburn
BornSuffolk County, New York, U.S.[1]
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, producer
Years active1992–present
LabelsNature Sounds Records, Ingrooves (current) Jive Records, Capitol Records, Priority Records (former)
Associated acts
Websiteratheruggedman.net

Since then, he has worked with the likes of Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan, Kool G Rap, and Notorious B.I.G., as well as producers Erick Sermon, Trackmasters, DJ Quik, The Alchemist, J-Zone, and Ayatollah. He was featured on all three of Rawkus's Soundbombing albums, as well as the platinum-selling WWF Aggression album. After a brief stint on Capitol Records (during which he recorded another unreleased album, American Lowlife), Thorburn signed with independent label Nature Sounds and released his official debut, Die, Rugged Man, Die.[4] In 2013, Thorburn released his second album, Legends Never Die, via Nature Sounds.[5]

In addition to his hip hop career, Thorburn has been active as boxing commentator and film critic. He has contributed to Vibe, King, Complex, Rides, XXL,[6]The Source, The Ring, among others. He wrote and produced the cult film Bad Biology, and also hosts the web series "Film School" on MTV's Film.com.

Career

1992–2003: Beginnings

In 1992, Thorburn signed with Jive Records, then in the mid-1990s signed with Priority Records/EMI.[7] His contract was later absorbed by Capitol Records but he began recording independently in the early 2000s. He has worked with MCs such as The Notorious B.I.G., Mobb Deep, and Chuck D. He was featured on all three of Rawkus's Soundbombing albums, as well as the platinum-selling WWF Aggression album, performing the theme song for Chris Jericho. In Ego Trip Vol. 1, Issue 3, The Notorious B.I.G. was quoted as saying, "And I thought I was the illest," when referring to Thorburn.[8]

2004–2012: Die, Rugged Man, Die, film cameos & magazine writing

In 2004, Thorburn released his first album Die, Rugged Man, Die[9] through Brooklyn-based label Nature Sounds. He has cameos in several music videos including Havoc from Mobb Deep's I'm the Boss, Sadat X's Throw the Ball and Masta Killa's Old Man featuring RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard.

The October 2006 issue of The Source featured Thorburn's verse on Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story as its "Hip-Hop Quotable" of the month and HipHopDX named it as the "Verse of the Year".[10] AllHipHop.com states that "This record will be remembered most for R.A.'s robotic flow recounting his own father's story of war while absolutely murdering the beat." When reviewing his song "On the Block", Vibe Magazine said, "I love this song. It give me goosebumps. It's very inventive."

In addition to his hip hop career, Thorburn wrote a monthly movie column for Mass Appeal Magazine, was a contributor to The Ego Trip Book of Rap Lists (St. Martin's Press) and Ego Trip's Big Book of Racism (HarperCollins), and has written numerous articles for other magazines including Vibe, King, Complex, Rides, XXL[6] and The Source.

A horror film fan, Thorburn has written three screenplays with cult film director Frank Henenlotter and is writer-producer of the Henenlotter film Bad Biology. The film has an original score by Josh Glazer (J. Glaze) with additional production by Prince Paul, and cameos by Playboy model Jelena Jensen and Penthouse Pet Krista Ayne. Thorburn is working on his directorial debut, a film based on his family, God Take, God Give.[11]

2013–present: Legends Never Die and All My Heroes Are Dead
Performing in 2013

Thorburn's second studio album Legends Never Die was released on April 30, 2013.[12] Guest appearances include Brother Ali, Masta Ace, Tech N9ne, Talib Kweli, Hopsin, Eamon, and Krizz Kaliko. His first single of the album was "The Peoples Champ", the second was "Learn Truth" feat. Talib Kweli. Upon release the album debuted at number 1 on the US Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart, number 17 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and at number 131 on the Billboard 200.[13] In 2016, Thorburn was featured on German rapper Kool Savas studio album Essahdamus on the song "Wahre Liebe".

The third studio album by Thorbun, All My Heroes Are Dead, was released on April 17, 2020. It features artists like Ghostface Killah, Eamon, Atmosphere, Ice-T, Vinnie Paz, Brand Nubian, Chino XL, M.O.P. and Onyx.[14]

Personal life

Thorburn's father, Staff Sgt. John A. Thorburn, was a Vietnam veteran affected by Agent Orange. His brother Maxx was born handicapped and blind, eventually dying at the age of 10. Thorburn's sister, Dee Ann, died in 2007 at the age of 26. Thorburn tells his father's story in "Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story," from the Jedi Mind Tricks album Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell. John A. Thorburn died 7 January 2010 from cancer.[15] Thorburn is of German, Scottish and Sicilian descent.[16]

Thorburn has two children: Ella (born in 2016) and John A. Thorburn (born in 2017).

Discography
Main article: R.A. the Rugged Man discography
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Unreleased albums
EP's
  • 1998: Poor People
Mixtapes
  • 2007 Ruff Rugged & Raw
  • 2010 Crazy Man (The Best, The Forgotten & The Worst)
  • 2011 Murderous Verses

Filmography
Film
Year Show Role Notes
2008 Three Thug Mice Vic (Short)
2008 Bad Biology Ex-Boyfriend (as R.A. the Rugged Man) Also writer and producer
2009 Damnation Film Crew Guy #1 (Short)
2013 Skid Row John

References
  1. https://www.last.fm/music/R.A.+the+Rugged+Man/+wiki
  2. R.A. The Rugged Man. Nature-sounds.net. Retrieved on 2011-05-30.
  3. Ben Westhoff (10 November 2009). "R.A. the Rugged Man Abides". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  4. Above Ground Magazine: R.A. The Rugged Man Releases Video Based On Experience With Jive Records
  5. Jeremiah. "R.A. The Rugged Man: The People's Champ [prod by Apathy] - KevinNottingham.com". KevinNottingham.com. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  6. It's A Beautiful Thing Being R.A. the Rugged Man Archived 2011-01-14 at the Wayback Machine. Xxlmag.Com. Retrieved on 2011-05-30.
  7. Hakes, Tyler (3 March 2011). "R.A. The Rugged Man Releases Video Based On Experience With Jive Records". aboveGround Media. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  8. R.A. the Rugged Man Abides – Page 1 – Music – New York. Village Voice (2009-11-10). Retrieved on 2011-05-30.
  9. 365 Albums a Year » Year 1, Day 171: R.A. The Rugged Man – Die, Rugged Man, Die (2004) Archived 2011-07-07 at the Wayback Machine. (2010-04-06). Retrieved on 2011-05-30.
  10. Hale, Andreas. (2007-01-01) 2006 HipHopDX Awards | Rappers Talk Hip Hop Beef & Old School Hip Hop. HipHop DX. Retrieved on 2011-05-30.
  11. R.A. The Rugged Man Talks New Film And Music Projects. (2009-08-31). Retrieved on 2013-04-17.
  12. "OK-Tho.com's Top 20 Albums Of 2013" http://www.ok-tho.com/2014/01/top-of-year-albums-of-2013.html
  13. "LL Cool J Scores 13th Top 10 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  14. "R.A. the Rugged Man - All My Heroes Are Dead". musicmeter. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  15. Hip Hop Underground bio on R.A. The Rugged Man describes the tragic death of is family members
  16. HipHopDX (18 October 2013). "R.A. The Rugged Man Says Justin Timberlake Is "Not The Epitome Of Talent"". HipHopDX. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
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