In his discography you see two albums. From what I can tell I think this guy figures making albums is too mainstream.There are a lot of intresting things about RA, maybe his odd style, his indie label production, or maybe that his fucking first name has never been documented!
He worked on this album for four years, and it is only the second album of his extensive career, so needless to say its gotta be good, lets just see how it does.
1. Still Diggin' Wit' Buck
I guess you could call this an intro, and as far as intros go, its pretty damn good. He has to be the cockiest guy ever, calling his sophmore effort a historical moment, and in a nutshell says, everyone who raps now suck, and even if he doesn't have fans he's awesome. The thing is you know this guy thinks these things are true.
2. The Peoples Champ
This was the single for the album that I learned about yesterday, so good job promoters. As far as content he talks about how he is the rapper for the real hip-hop heads. This is a pretty dope song, but RA's producer doesn't fit his style. You gotta love the violent harsh rhymes in the song though, well done.
3. Definition of Rap Flow
As you may be able to infer this guy has a sick ass flow. This song is fucking awesome. The instrumental and hook are almost hilarious. Whether that was intended or not it makes this song awesome. But seriously, if you have ever heard a better flow please leave a comment.
4. Learn Truth (ft. Talib Kweli)
This is a political track that only some people will like. Fortunatly for myself I am a huge Kweli fan, and he brought his usual wisdom to the wisdom. RA brought the same message to the track, but no one does Kweli like Kweli. I do have to add that this is the first fitting beat on the album.
5. Bang Boogie
RA brings his same flow, and general topic as the previous tracks, only big difference. The hook is fucking horrible, and the beat is annoying, atleast this track is short.
6. Tom Thum
What can I say, I am a sucker for beatboxing. I feel like RA would be a cool guy, and I say that out of genuine fear, he mentions pulling a gun at a grandma at a wedding. Twisted? Hell yeah, but it makes for an entertaining ass track that keeps you listening
for what the hell this crazy mother fucker is going to say next.
7. Holla Luh Yuh (ft. Tech N9ne & Krizz Kaliko)
Tech is a hell of a rapper, always been a fan, but I do not hesitate to say that RA blew him out of the water. Tech did not bring it, which was a mistake, because it just made him look bad.
8. Media Midgets
This is just RA talking about how he is not going to conform to the mainstream, like everyone else. He hates everything that isn't the pure hip-hop that he loves. He also touches on his claim to fame, being co-signed by biggie. While he has some points, his narrow view on music is not helping it's evolution. I wouldn't say he is stuck in the past, but it seems that way.
9. Shoot Me in the Head
Holy shit what an opening line. I honestly could not do this song any justice with a review. If you want to have your innocence destroyed in under 4 minutes please look this song up.
10. Legends Never Die (Daddy's Halo)
After that last track I didn't know RA had it in him. The sample hook and beat set the song nicely, and he gives a beautiful ode to his deceased father. This family grew up poor and in a bad area, and RA obviously admired his father. You finally see that this guy is a person. A nice change of pace.
11. The Dangerous Three(ft. Masta Ace & Brother Ali)
The Biggie sample in the hook is of course because of the relationship between the two. Every verse the beat changes a few times and it adds a really cool dynamic to the song. All three rappers bring it to this track, but Masta Ace is the one who really kills it, but this is a highlight track for sure.
12. Luv to Fuk
I'd like to meet the woman that hooks up with RA, but apparently it happens often. I hate this song, it is just creepy and nasty, it isnt pleasing at all, skip it.
13. Underground Hitz (Feat. Hopsin)
And just like that here we fucking go. This is a pretty generic beat, but RA is awesome. In fact RA is just a bad guy, and everything he thinks of is awful, but it is awesome (I even confused myself). On the other hand Hopsin dissapointed. He was boring on the track, and wasn't as intense or crazy as RA, then again I hate Hopsin.
14. Laugh, Clown, Laugh
You didn't have to tell us RA, we know you can't afford good beats. This song, as it was intended was creepy, but a little stale at this point.
15. Sam Peckinpah (ft. Vinnie Paz, & Sadat X)
So you think this is a regular dark song, then you get hit by the voice of Vinnie Paz. Imagine rubbing sand paper onto a sunburn, then turn that into a sound and you have Paz's voice. Both have fine lyrics, but I just can't do it.
16. Outro
He says words, that is how an outro works
17. Still Get Through the Day
This is RA's way of leaving us with something that isnt mentally scarring. He did an amazing song of rebalancing your emotions, and leaving a good feeling as the the album ends.
Rating: 4/5
This guy has a strict style, he is just lucky that it is dope as hell. I will get anything RA the Rugged Man puts out in the future, which to an extent means he succeeded. Overall, good album.