Ruff

The eldest of two brothers, Long Island, New York, native Ruff was engulfed with hip-hop culture from a young age--and, understandably so. A gifted football player, coming of age in the universally accepted ground zero of urban culture, there was an abundance of appropriated game to soak up, and it didn’t take long for music to take the wheel. [Hip-hop] guided almost every move I made,” Ruff is quick to explain, “the way I spoke, how I dressed, and things I liked. I knew the words to my favorite songs before I knew my homework.” It was this sense of regional identity--and love of the culture--that propelled towards his dream of becoming a prominent figure in the industry.  

As both a rap artist and producer, rather than attempting to bring New York Rap back, Ruff is seeking to surf a new wave, and usher in an evolution of NYC; he’s blending the flair and attention to detail that helped define the golden era, with a youthful dose of contemporary spice.  

Both his father and cousin played an influential role in his career thus far. His cousin was instrumental in helping to introduce him to a wide variety of music, while his father--as a poet and producer-- served as a mentor, helping him to understand and hone his talents. “He taught me that rap is an art form, not just rhyming words together,” he says of his father. “He taught me to take pride and not simply treat it as a hobby.” His father helped to introduce and mentor him through the early stages of his development as a producer. 

With a large number of open doors, and an exciting project in the pipeline, 2017 is looking like a bright year for the LI rapper; hailing from a city with so much history and legacy, Ruff is determined to make his mark.