Mixing Twista’s speed, De La Soul’s D.A.I.S.Y. Age attitude, and the modern swagger of the Tech N9ne-driven underground, rapper R.A. the Rugged Man is a favorite guest star for the likes of Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang, and Notorious B.I.G., but his own discography is surprisingly slim. One reason could be that in the early ’90s, the then-18- year-old Long Island rapper signed with Jive, but he parted ways with the label before his debut album was released.
Signing with Priority in the mid-’90s and then having that contract absorbed by Capitol just delayed his come-up, so in 2004, he went the indie route and released Die, Rugged Man, Die on Nature Sounds. In 2009 the compilation Legendary Classics, Vol. 1 rounded up his collaborative releases with names like the Notorious B.I.G., Jedi Mind Tricks, and Sadat X all landing on the track list. Talib Kweli, Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko, and Masta Ace were some of the names that joined R.A. on his 2013 sophomore release Legends Never Die. (Bio by David Jeffries @ Allmusic)
Tracklist:
- Stanley Kubrick
- Brawl
- Lessons
- Casanova (Fly Guy)
- A Star Is Born
- Chains
- Dumb
- On The Block
- Give It Up (with J-Live)
- Uncommon Valor (with Jedi Mind Tricks)
- Remember The Name (with HMD)
- Diablos (with Louis Logic, J.J. Brown & Celph Titled)
- You Can’t Hide (with Snak The Ripper)
- Nosebleed (with Vinnie Paz)
- Supa
- Rap S*** (with Gzus Murphy & DJ Shortop)
- Armz Economy (with Klee Magor & Benny Brahmz)
- The People’s Champ
- Definition Of A Rap Flow
- Learn Truth
- Tom Thum
- Media Midgets
- Shoot Me In The Head
- Legends Never Die
- The Dangerous Three (with Brother Ali & Masta Ace)
- Underground Hits (with Hopsin)
- Tell ‘Em (with Chill Rob G)
- The Greatest
- Freedom Form Flowing (with Gift Of Gab & A-F-R-O)