INTERVIEW WITH R.A. the Rugged Man AND ENTIRE CONCERT FOOTAGE FROM NIAGARA FALLS, NY SHOW
R.A. Thorburn, better known by his stage name R.A. the Rugged Man, is an American rapper. He began his music career at age 12, building a reputation locally for his lyrical skills. After a nine-label bidding war for his services, R.A. signed to major label Jive Records at age 18. Eventually R.A. and the label parted ways. His first album, Night of the Bloody Apes, was never released.
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), R.A. signed with independent label Nature Sounds and released his official debut, Die, Rugged Man, Die. In 2013, R.A. released his second album, Legends Never Die. The album was released on April 30, 2013 by Nature Sounds.
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,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.
Sofa King Cool caught up with R.A. The Rugged Man and we talked about the current tour, being away from his baby daughter, Gene Simmons saying rap is dead, the death of Phife Dog, Recording his new album, and what he plans on doing next
