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.
Midnight Thud
R.A. the Rugged Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will not stop runnin' 'till I'm winning the race
I can't live with myself being in second place
[R.A. the Rugged Man]
Ay yo, here's a little story, something for your ear
Like the new millennium version of Paul Revere
Except this ain't fiction, this is real life here
Yeah I made my mistakes, yeah I paid my dues
Hated by blacks, made enemies with jews
I was 7 years ahead of my time in '92
I said things that wasn't accepted 'till '99
It's awful, I don't care about the past no more
I don't want to be rich, trust me, I'd rather be poor
Now think about it, known as how I never shown my face
I don't really want fame, I just want my space
Yeah, I had hard times like Run-DMC
But actually I feel pretty blessed just to be me
I never seen the penitentiary
I've been shook since I seen the ? kid in Penitentiary 3?
They say I should have been more, I should have been great
Like I'm washed up now, like it's already too late
I can feel all the hatred when I walk in the place
But y'all are too scared to say shit to my face, it's
[Chorus]
Midnight (repeated several times)
I'll come for you
When the clock strikes midnight
I'll come for you
[R.A. the Rugged Man]
Ready for hell, ready for war
Yeah, it's nice to be loved but I like being hated more
All the sudden magazines give me good reviews
It used to be my name on the equal bad news
All the ? that I'm a genius, all the ? I'm bright
Like I just now became intelligent overnight
I be as 1990 grimey as I could be
And finally society can see admiring me
And finally dirty dirty boy, dirty be
Wordy wordy free, dirty boy
Yeah that's me
My father specialist 5th class Thornburn John A
A Vietnam war hero, green berret
Thaught me how to shoot guns and thaught me how to fight
Thaught to left hooking, thaught to uppercut with the right
Thaught me all about bitches, they can ruin your life
Like in his prime, look what happened to I and Mike
People wonder what it's like and how is to be me
The most underrated in hip hop history
Think I care if you disagree?
You ain't got no song out
And right now you're busy listenin' me
[Chorus]
In the first verse of R.A. the Rugged Man's song 'Midnight Thud', he talks about his determination to win in life and never settle for second place. He then proceeds to tell his life story, mentioning how hated he was by some people, including blacks and Jews, due to his often controversial opinions. He claims to have been ahead of his time in the 90s, saying things that were only accepted years later. R.A. doesn't care about fame and would rather have his space, and although he has faced hard times like Run-DMC, he feels blessed to be who he is. He has never been to prison, but he has been afraid ever since seeing a kid in 'Penitentiary 3'. Despite being hated by some people, he knows they are too scared to confront him.
The chorus of the song simply repeats the word 'midnight' several times, with R.A. promising to come for his haters when the clock strikes twelve. In the second verse, R.A. talks about his love for being hated, and how society has finally started to see the genius that he always knew he was. He mentions how he was once seen as nothing but bad news, but now people think he's a genius who's suddenly become intelligent overnight. He remains true to his 1990 grimey self and hopes society will continue to admire him. R.A. pays tribute to his father, a Vietnam War hero who taught him how to shoot guns and fight, as well as other valuable life lessons. He talks about his status as the most underrated rapper in hip hop history and doesn't care if anyone disagrees.
Line by Line Meaning
I will not stop runnin' 'till I'm winning the race
I refuse to give up until I am the first to cross the finish line.
I can't live with myself being in second place
I cannot bear the thought of not being the best.
Ay yo, here's a little story, something for your ear
Let me tell you a true story that you need to hear.
Like the new millennium version of Paul Revere
Similar to Paul Revere's ride, but in the modern era.
Except this ain't fiction, this is real life here
This is not a made-up tale, this is my actual experience.
I be 30 years old and even lasting a year
I have made it past the age of 30, which is a milestone for me.
Yeah I made my mistakes, yeah I paid my dues
I have made errors and suffered the consequences.
Hated by blacks, made enemies with jews
I have angered some people of these ethnic groups in the past.
I was 7 years ahead of my time in '92
I had ideas and opinions that were not popular until years later.
I said things that wasn't accepted 'till '99
My viewpoints and expressions were not deemed acceptable until years after I shared them.
It's awful, I don't care about the past no more
The past was not great, but I am not overly concerned about it anymore.
I don't want to be rich, trust me, I'd rather be poor
I do not seek wealth, as I would rather have other things.
Now think about it, known as how I never shown my face
If you consider that I have never revealed my face,
I don't really want fame, I just want my space
You will realize that I am not striving for fame, only privacy.
Yeah, I had hard times like Run-DMC
I faced challenges and obstacles like the famous rap group did.
But actually I feel pretty blessed just to be me
Despite the hardships, I appreciate being myself.
I never seen the penitentiary
I have never been incarcerated in prison.
I've been shook since I seen the ? kid in Penitentiary 3?
However, the sight of a character in a film called 'Penitentiary 3' scared me.
They say I should have been more, I should have been great
According to some, I could have achieved much more and become a legend.
Like I'm washed up now, like it's already too late
Others believe I am past my prime and too old to make an impact.
I can feel all the hatred when I walk in the place
I am aware of the negative sentiments directed towards me when I am present.
But y'all are too scared to say shit to my face, it's
However, those people do not express their thoughts about me to my face, cowardly.
Ready for hell, ready for war
I am prepared for any difficulties that come my way.
Yeah, it's nice to be loved but I like being hated more
Although receiving positive feelings from others is pleasant, I find negative attention more intoxicating.
All the sudden magazines give me good reviews
Suddenly, newspapers and magazines are providing me with favorable critiques.
It used to be my name on the equal bad news
My name used to be associated with negative headlines in the media.
All the ? that I'm a genius, all the ? I'm bright
Like I just now became intelligent overnight
People are recognizing my intelligence and talent after ignoring it for so long, as if they have just realized it overnight.
I be as 1990 grimey as I could be
And finally society can see admiring me
I maintained a rough attitude similar to that of the 90s and I am finally acknowledged and respected by society.
And finally dirty dirty boy, dirty be
Wordy wordy free, dirty boy
Yeah that's me
I am a performer with a crude, vulgar style and and I am fine with that identity.
My father specialist 5th class Thornburn John A
A Vietnam war hero, green berret
My dad is Thornburn John A, an experienced war veteran who served in Vietnam and was a Green Beret.
Thaught me how to shoot guns and thaught me how to fight
Thaught to left hooking, thaught to uppercut with the right
Thaught me all about bitches, they can ruin your life
Like in his prime, look what happened to I and Mike
He taught me fighting skills, including punching with both hands and using guns, and informed me about dealing with women (who can be destructive like they were to my father and his friend Mike during their prime).
People wonder what it's like and how is to be me
People often wonder what it is like to be in my position.
The most underrated in hip hop history
I am the most undervalued and unrecognized rap artist in history.
Think I care if you disagree?
Do you think I am bothered if you disagree with my opinion?
You ain't got no song out
And right now you're busy listenin' me
You do not have any music of your own right now, and currently, you are focused on listening to my words.
Midnight (repeated several times)
I'll come for you
When the clock strikes midnight
I'll come for you
At midnight, I will come for you and hold you accountable for your actions.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind