In 1992, at the age of 18, Thorburn signed with Jive Records, then in the mid-1990s signed with Priority Records/EMI. His contract was later absorbed by Capitol Records but he began recording independently in the early 2000s. He has worked with MC's such as The Notorious B.I.G., Mobb Deep, Chuck D of Public Enemy, Jedi Mind Tricks, Tech N9ne, Hopsin, Talib Kweli, Masta Ace, Kool G Rap, Wu-Tang Clan, Rakim, Killah Priest, and producers Trackmasters, Erick Sermon, DJ Quik, Buckwild, Alchemist, and Ayatollah. He was featured on all three of Rawkusβs 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, "I thought I was the illest," when referring to Thorburn He is closely associated to the Wu-Tang Clan and its various associates.
In 2004 he released the album Die, Rugged Man, Die on Brooklyn based label Nature Sounds. Thorburn has cameos in several music videos including Havoc from Mobb Deep's I'm the Boss, Sadat X's Throw the Ball and Old Man featuring Wu-Tang Clan's RZA, Masta Killa and Ol' Dirty Bastard in one of ODB's final video appearances.
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" 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." Rolling Stone Magazine recently compared Thorburn's rap flow to that of a blue-eyed Biggie Smalls. 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 and The Source.
A horror film fan, Thorburn has written three screenplays with cult film director Frank Henenlotter and is writer-producer of a new 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.
Thorburn's latest album Legends Never Die was released on April 30, 2013. Guest appearances include Brother Ali, Masta Ace, Tech N9ne, Talib Kweli, Hopsin, and Krizz Kaliko. His first single of the album was 'The Peoples Champ'. The second single was "Learn Truth' Feat. Talib Kweli.
Richard Andrew is Thorburn's middle name. His first name has never been disclosed.
Thorburn's father, Staff Sgt. John A. Thorburn, was a Vietnam veteran affected by Agent Orange. Thorburn's family was significantly affected by the potent chemical. His brother Maxx was born handicapped and blind, eventually dying at the age of 10. Thorburn's sister, Dee Ann, was born without the ability to walk or speak. She 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 (which was also re-released on the compilation Legendary Classics vol. 1).
John A. Thorburn died 7 January 2010 from cancer. Thorburn said that his father was truly happy within his last year of life, due to his mindset that he could plan for his death.
He is of German descent on his mother's side.
Black and White
R.A. the Rugged Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make a special deal out of you
Perhaps becoming a white champion in a black dominated sport?
(Yo, I fuck up anybody, shit don't matter, white, black, I'll fuck you up, you know?)
{Yeah, that's what his mouth is sayin', see in the ring? It's a different story
You know what I mean, in the ring, that's a different story)
In the right hand corner, wearing black trunks and a throwback jersey
Black hat, and black Timberlands, from Brooklyn, New York, Timbo King!
And dirty white shelltoes, hailing from parts unknown, R.A. the Rugged Man!
Aiyo, we black macks, with black hats and black bats
Black Panthers, with black gats, twenty-one blackjacks
Twenty one black napsacks, black weed
Black Friday, nigga, black fistes
Black misses, Onyx, black misonic
Black tonic, black marble, ask Arnold
Black bombers, with black linen, repent black sinning
Swimmin' in black women, the Men in Black winning
Black Timb's, black jims and black ink
Black ice on, black widow's in black minks
In the White House, White Owl, turn the light out
White boy, night out, knock your white ass, right out
Find out, white dog, white bitch, white fist
Beat your bitch like this, white dick, white sheets
Devin make white beats, suburban kids from the white street
James Cagney, white Jeep, White Sox
White rocks, white cops in donut shops
White blocks, now them dead white cops
White through the night creatures, white sneakers
White wife beats, thin lips, white features
White powder, Snow White, snow, hit the ho right
White dred, slow life, white snakes, so white
[Chorus: unknown singer w, samples going in the background]
Black, white, black, white
Black, white, black, white
Black men with black belts on, black denim style
Smoke a black, come out, layin' down black cow
Black souls, lost in black holes
Black robes, fuck bitches out on Black Gold
Black seeds, black eyed peas, black pepper
Italian black leather, fade to black
Black models, sport black Marotto's
Black Moet bottles, holla back, black star power
Black rockwilder's, black nines, black on black crime
Who's skin blacker than mine?
Black spades, givin' lames black eyes
Black foot indian drive, black berries
Black Pelle Pelle's, black Israeli go to war with black Skellies
Hummer's with the Black Perelli's, Armor All
Blackball, black label, alcohol
Black ho, beat a nigga up, you know how that go
And then we truly white, finger, arms, ya hands is white
Square dance tight, dance in white, I'm Charles Manson white
Steal ya lab white, Rugged Man right
I rip right tight, like to fight, white knight
Blue eyed bright Christ white, nighty night light
Toys are Us light bright white, simple light's white
Nice life, nice fight white, great white hype
Why Uncle Ben's rice white? Hate life white
And get fruitcake twice, white guys recognize
See the whites in your eyes, white skin, white lies
House of Pain white, Everlast, Kurt Cobain white
Elvin, Simple and Plain white, John Wayne white
[Chorus]
The lyrics to R.A. the Rugged Man's song "Black and White" are a commentary on race relations and stereotypes in America. The first verse begins with a question, asking if a white athlete in a predominantly black sport resents the attention that his race might bring him. This is followed by the ring introductions of the two rappers, Timbo King in black and R.A. the Rugged Man in white. The chorus repeats the phrases "black, white" alternatingly as a commentary on how race is often used as a polarizing factor in society.
The second verse continues with examples of black culture and stereotypes, such as black macks, black hats, black Panthers, and Black Friday. It then contrasts this with references to white culture, including the White House, suburban kids, and James Cagney. The final verse takes a more confrontational approach, with the artists rapping about physical violence against people of the opposite race, as well as using humor and irony to lampoon white culture.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the state of race relations in America, highlighting the cultural differences between black and white communities while also pointing out the similarities and shared experiences that exist.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you resent the fact that people
Are you bothered by the fact that people
Make a special deal out of you
Treat you differently because of your background or achievements
Perhaps becoming a white champion in a black dominated sport?
Like being a white athlete successful in a sport primarily populated by black athletes
(Yo, I fuck up anybody, shit don't matter, white, black, I'll fuck you up, you know?)
I can take on anyone, regardless of their race or ethnicity
{Yeah, that's what his mouth is sayin', see in the ring? It's a different story
You know what I mean, in the ring, that's a different story)
What he says and what he can do in the ring are two different things
In the right hand corner, wearing black trunks and a throwback jersey
Black hat, and black Timberlands, from Brooklyn, New York, Timbo King!
Introducing Timbo King, who hails from Brooklyn and is wearing black clothing and Timberlands
Left hand corner, wearing white trunks, a white wife beater
And dirty white shelltoes, hailing from parts unknown, R.A. the Rugged Man!
Introducing R.A. the Rugged Man, whose outfit consists of white clothing and shelltoes
Aiyo, we black macks, with black hats and black bats
Black Panthers, with black gats, twenty-one blackjacks
We are black people who carry black weapons and are associated with movements like the Black Panthers
Twenty one black napsacks, black weed
Black Friday, nigga, black fistes
We carry black backpacks and smoke black weed, and we associate with events like Black Friday and black resistance movements
Black misses, Onyx, black misonic
Black tonic, black marble, ask Arnold
We are associated with black women, black music, and other black cultural references
Black bombers, with black linen, repent black sinning
Swimmin' in black women, the Men in Black winning
We wear black clothing and seek redemption for our past wrongdoings, and we are successful with black women
Black Timb's, black jims and black ink
Black ice on, black widow's in black minks
We wear black Timberlands and jewelry, and we have tattoos and drive cars with black features
In the White House, White Owl, turn the light out
White boy, night out, knock your white ass, right out
We reference the White House and use it to mock white people, suggesting violence against them
Find out, white dog, white bitch, white fist
Beat your bitch like this, white dick, white sheets
We use derogatory terms for white people and discuss committing violent acts against them, including domestic abuse
Devin make white beats, suburban kids from the white street
James Cagney, white Jeep, White Sox
We reference white people in various contexts, including music producers and cultural icons
White rocks, white cops in donut shops
White blocks, now them dead white cops
We reference white cops, who we suggest are corrupt and violent, and celebrate their deaths
White through the night creatures, white sneakers
White wife beats, thin lips, white features
We reference white people in various contexts, including physical appearance and fashion choices
White powder, Snow White, snow, hit the ho right
White dred, slow life, white snakes, so white
We reference drugs and sex with white women, and we also reference white animals
[Chorus: unknown singer w, samples going in the background]
Black, white, black, white
Black, white, black, white
The chorus repeats the words 'black' and 'white' in a rhythmic pattern
Black men with black belts on, black denim style
Smoke a black, come out, layin' down black cow
We describe black men wearing black clothing and martial arts belts, and we also reference smoking black cigarettes and committing violence
Black souls, lost in black holes
Black robes, fuck bitches out on Black Gold
We use metaphors and innuendo to describe experiencing darkness and having sex with black women
Black seeds, black eyed peas, black pepper
Italian black leather, fade to black
We reference black food and fashion items, and use the phrase 'fade to black' as a reference to death or the end of something
Black models, sport black Marotto's
Black Moet bottles, holla back, black star power
We reference black models wearing black shoes, and we celebrate black financial success and cultural influence
Black rockwilder's, black nines, black on black crime
Who's skin blacker than mine?
We reference black animals and weapons, and we question who is more authentically black
Black spades, givin' lames black eyes
Black foot indian drive, black berries
We reference black people playing card games and committing violence, and we also reference black indigenous people and fruit
Black Pelle Pelle's, black Israeli go to war with black Skellies
Hummer's with the Black Perelli's, Armor All
We reference black fashion items and suggest black Israeli soldiers are joining forces with black criminals, and we also reference black luxury vehicles
Blackball, black label, alcohol
Black ho, beat a nigga up, you know how that go
We reference blackballing and high-end alcohol, and we also discuss committing violence against black women
And then we truly white, finger, arms, ya hands is white
Square dance tight, dance in white, I'm Charles Manson white
We mock white people for their physical appearance and cultural traditions, and we reference notorious white criminal Charles Manson
Steal ya lab white, Rugged Man right
I rip right tight, like to fight, white knight
We suggest stealing from white people and celebrate our own fighting abilities, and we also reference a concept of chivalry associated with white knights
Blue eyed bright Christ white, nighty night light
Toys are Us light bright white, simple light's white
We reference cultural icons associated with white people, including religious figures and a toy brand, and we also describe different types of light as white
Nice life, nice fight white, great white hype
Why Uncle Ben's rice white? Hate life white
We reference different aspects of white culture and criticize them, including white privilege and commodity branding
And get fruitcake twice, white guys recognize
See the whites in your eyes, white skin, white lies
House of Pain white, Everlast, Kurt Cobain white
Elvin, Simple and Plain white, John Wayne white
We further criticize white people for their appearances and cultural contributions, including music and film icons
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GAVIN BROWN, SHAUN FRANK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Leo_ENTP_7w6
This is one my favorite songs of all time
@cyrilledumas332
crazy shit I agree. Starting the day at 6 with this hot track
@DEADKAMPOFFICIAL
Timbo king dies not suck. Gtfoh he is super dope yo. Him and r.a. sound so good together bro. They should make a collab album together. Like "bad meets evil" but more hip hop raw gutter style. It would be an unstoppable record for real. I would buy it for sure.
@kingartison
haven't heard this since Saints Row 1
@GriseldaFlows
You mean saints row 3 right?
@kingartison
YouTube Comment 1
@royal_rob
Ben Ji. no saint row 1
@ak477ism
Mann brings back memories
@devoneskridge9854
Man fr bringing back memories of Ayesha ππ
@anybody2501
"Uncle ben's rice white" lmao