Richard Andrew Thorburn (born January 10, 1974), better known by his stage … Read Full Bio ↴Richard Andrew Thorburn (born January 10, 1974), better known by his stage name R.A. the Rugged Man, is an American underground hip-hop artist from Suffolk County, Long Island, New York.
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 Rawkus’s 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.
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 Rawkus’s 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.
Brawl
R.A. the Rugged Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
They used to call me Bobo..
[Scratches]
R.A
He's rugged!
Alright friends, on your ???
[R.A. - Verse One]
Yo, see how they go, hip hop are-A-Hay-Ohh
I'm a special ed. student, with an A+ flow
Used to call me Bobo, Busby Berkeley
Bronson, ???, Disco Derby
I'm a modern day Ozzy Osbourne
Bitin bats heads off and bustin nuts in your pop corn
Wonderin how this ugly motherfucker got on
The whole white trash nation, rock rock on
Now wait a minute, let's bring it back a little bit
When you first started rappin, you was all on my dick
Yeah, you went multiplatinum, but you bit my shit
What you rappin is my life, you ain't live that shit
See all the others say I'm twisted, and I'm over the edge
And my whole crew they say is all sick in they heads
Sledgehammer, break pay phones, still calling
Stay out the trouble, stay home, Rugged Man, J-Zone
[Chorus - R.A. sings]
Here we come from Suffolk County and you might not heard about me but we poor
[It's time for a showdown, between you and I]
You might not want to be about me cause the shit bout to get rowdy cause we brawl
[If we gonna do war, fuck 'em up fat]
Here we come from Suffolk County and you might not heard about me but we poor
[Come on sucker, let's get on]
You might not want to be about me cause the shit bout to get rowdy cause we brawl
[??? fuckin for troubles, cause we're gonna give it to ya]
[R.A. - Verse Two]
The way we recreate shit, Rugged Man
We don't make hits, we stay broke, sleep, fuck sluts and take shits (Ah-Ah)
And roll with the real life whores that appreciate dicks
Fuck they asshole, dick full of shit, taste bitch
It's easy to criticize me for being so foul
It's worst when you lookin down a shotgun bubble (BANG!)
They say, "Rugged Man, he can't keep no deal
His mental, I like the way being broke feel"
I'm at the homeless shelter, for ??? three meals
I'm like Buster Keaton and W.C. Fields
I'ma die broke, no success
When I'll, die I'll be chocked up, jerkin off like Inxs
Now wait, this is the place where stars are born
Strictly business, too potholes in my lawn
Uzi weight a ton, public enemy number one
Don't you dare sleep on the spot that we come from
[Chorus - R.A. sings]
Here we come from Suffolk County and you might not heard about me but we poor
[It's time for a showdown, between you and I]
You might not want to be about me cause the shit bout to get rowdy cause we brawl
[If we gonna do war, fuck 'em up fat]
Here we come from Suffolk County and you might not heard about me but we poor
[Come on sucker, let's get on]
You might not want to be about me cause the shit bout to get rowdy cause we brawl
[??? fuckin for troubles, cause we're gonna give it to ya]
[R.A. - Verse Three]
Yeah, it's true motherfuckers, I'm alive and shit
The mainstream motherfuckers, tryin' to hide my shit
You hate your man's rap flow, I invented that shit
You see hoes on stage show, I invented that shit
They say I could have been, but I never been
That's bullshit, I'm a underground rap letterin
I'm like get-get-get-get, get off my dick
I'm the wrong kid you don't want to fuck with
Call me Big Dog, Mr. Crustified Dibbs
When I think to all the devious things I did
This is a hold up, catch your ass all ??? up
Bitch drink cum, when this fat fuck roll up
Yeah, six million ways to die, choose one
True hood one, true ???, I'm the sequel
Fuck Mandingo, you can call me Drum
Stupid dumb, Long Island hoodlum
[Chorus - R.A. sings]
Here we come from Suffolk County and you might not heard about me but we poor
[It's time for a showdown, between you and I]
You might not want to be about me cause the shit bout to get rowdy cause we brawl
[If we gonna do war, fuck 'em up fat]
Here we come from Suffolk County and you might not heard about me but we poor
[Come on sucker, let's get on]
You might not want to be about me cause the shit bout to get rowdy cause we brawl
[??? fuckin for troubles, cause we're gonna give it to ya]
[Scratches]
R.A
He's, he's rugged
Fuck 'em up fat
[Scratches]
R.A
He's rugged!
Alright friends, on your ???
[R.A. - Verse One]
Yo, see how they go, hip hop are-A-Hay-Ohh
Used to call me Bobo, Busby Berkeley
Bronson, ???, Disco Derby
I'm a modern day Ozzy Osbourne
Bitin bats heads off and bustin nuts in your pop corn
Wonderin how this ugly motherfucker got on
The whole white trash nation, rock rock on
Now wait a minute, let's bring it back a little bit
When you first started rappin, you was all on my dick
Yeah, you went multiplatinum, but you bit my shit
What you rappin is my life, you ain't live that shit
See all the others say I'm twisted, and I'm over the edge
And my whole crew they say is all sick in they heads
Sledgehammer, break pay phones, still calling
Stay out the trouble, stay home, Rugged Man, J-Zone
[Chorus - R.A. sings]
Here we come from Suffolk County and you might not heard about me but we poor
[It's time for a showdown, between you and I]
You might not want to be about me cause the shit bout to get rowdy cause we brawl
[If we gonna do war, fuck 'em up fat]
Here we come from Suffolk County and you might not heard about me but we poor
[Come on sucker, let's get on]
You might not want to be about me cause the shit bout to get rowdy cause we brawl
[??? fuckin for troubles, cause we're gonna give it to ya]
[R.A. - Verse Two]
The way we recreate shit, Rugged Man
We don't make hits, we stay broke, sleep, fuck sluts and take shits (Ah-Ah)
And roll with the real life whores that appreciate dicks
Fuck they asshole, dick full of shit, taste bitch
It's easy to criticize me for being so foul
It's worst when you lookin down a shotgun bubble (BANG!)
They say, "Rugged Man, he can't keep no deal
His mental, I like the way being broke feel"
I'm at the homeless shelter, for ??? three meals
I'm like Buster Keaton and W.C. Fields
I'ma die broke, no success
When I'll, die I'll be chocked up, jerkin off like Inxs
Now wait, this is the place where stars are born
Strictly business, too potholes in my lawn
Uzi weight a ton, public enemy number one
Don't you dare sleep on the spot that we come from
[Chorus - R.A. sings]
Here we come from Suffolk County and you might not heard about me but we poor
[It's time for a showdown, between you and I]
You might not want to be about me cause the shit bout to get rowdy cause we brawl
[If we gonna do war, fuck 'em up fat]
Here we come from Suffolk County and you might not heard about me but we poor
[Come on sucker, let's get on]
You might not want to be about me cause the shit bout to get rowdy cause we brawl
[??? fuckin for troubles, cause we're gonna give it to ya]
[R.A. - Verse Three]
Yeah, it's true motherfuckers, I'm alive and shit
The mainstream motherfuckers, tryin' to hide my shit
You hate your man's rap flow, I invented that shit
You see hoes on stage show, I invented that shit
They say I could have been, but I never been
That's bullshit, I'm a underground rap letterin
I'm like get-get-get-get, get off my dick
I'm the wrong kid you don't want to fuck with
Call me Big Dog, Mr. Crustified Dibbs
When I think to all the devious things I did
This is a hold up, catch your ass all ??? up
Bitch drink cum, when this fat fuck roll up
Yeah, six million ways to die, choose one
True hood one, true ???, I'm the sequel
Fuck Mandingo, you can call me Drum
Stupid dumb, Long Island hoodlum
[Chorus - R.A. sings]
Here we come from Suffolk County and you might not heard about me but we poor
[It's time for a showdown, between you and I]
You might not want to be about me cause the shit bout to get rowdy cause we brawl
[If we gonna do war, fuck 'em up fat]
Here we come from Suffolk County and you might not heard about me but we poor
[Come on sucker, let's get on]
You might not want to be about me cause the shit bout to get rowdy cause we brawl
[??? fuckin for troubles, cause we're gonna give it to ya]
[Scratches]
R.A
He's, he's rugged
Fuck 'em up fat
In R.A. the Rugged Man's song "Brawl", he starts off by referring to himself as "Bobo" and later on as "Rugged Man". He follows it up with a line that says he's a special ed. student with an A+ flow. Bobo is a nod to the rapper's given name Robert, while Rugged Man may signify his ruggedness or toughness. The rapper then goes on to talk about his nicknames, which include Disco Derby, Busby Berkeley, and Bronson, all allusions to various pop culture figures. The lyrics proceed to make references to Ozzy Osbourne, stating that he too is capable of biting the heads off bats and quote "bustin' nuts in your popcorn." He then addresses his haters, calling them out for biting his style and calling himself the king of underground rap.
In the chorus of the song, the focus shifts to Suffolk County, where R.A. hails from. The lyrics indicate that people from Suffolk County are poor and overlooked, but they are ready to brawl if need be. In the second verse, R.A. talks about how he and his crew recreate things rather than make hits, and that they hang out with "real life whores." He mentions that he'd rather stay broke than sign a deal that wouldn't help him progress. He ends this verse by reminding the listener not to underestimate where he comes from.
Overall, the "Brawl" lyrics seem to be about R.A. the Rugged Man's pride in his background and his rough-around-the-edges personality. The song also highlights the rapper's lyrical prowess and his unapologetic attitude towards potential haters.
Lyrics © NAVY YARD MUSIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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