Interview: Rugged Intellect

Onlangs vond je al een recensie van het album van de Canadese rapper Rugged Intellect op HHN. Met een album waarop onder andere Kool G Rap, Ras Kass en Heltah Skeltah ook te horen waren was het voor ons tijd om eens een interview te houden.

First of all, introduce yourself.

Peace and respect this is Rugged Intellect aka The Renaissance Man holding it down from Montreal Canada. I just released my debut album internationally, it`s called "Renaissance Music: The Introduction" and features classic guest appearances from Kool G Rap, Ras Kass, Heltah Skeltah, RA The Rugged Man, AG and Party Arty (DITC) and others. At the moment I am heavy into promoting the project and like many people in the Netherlands, I enjoy smoking enormous quantities of high-grade marijuana.

How did you come up in the hiphop game?

Everything started in the Uptown section of Montreal (Canada), where I grew up as a rugged youth being part of hip-hop culture and persevering to attain my goals. I`ve been on the scene since 2001 and have been on the battle circuit as well as numerous performances with everyone from Ice-T to Jedi Mind Tricks and many others. I represent the everlasting essence of hip-hop lyricism to the maximum degree and hold it down for the pioneers that laid the foundation for cats like myself to represent.


What was the period growing up in Montreal like; did you listen a lot to Canadian rappers or more to US rappers?

From an artistic standpoint, growing up in Montreal was an uphill battle because there are virtually no opportunities available to hip-hop artists. Despite the fact that we had somewhat of a local movement, the scene was never particularly developped enough to really expand and become a staple in North American hip-hop. Even before I became an MC I told myself I had to go straight to New York if I was ever to generate any visibility aside from the local attention a lot of people seem to settle for. Needless to say, things are starting to pay off as I`ve had the chance to work with some of the legendary artists and producers that influenced me as a young hip-hop fanatic raised on the classic East Coast sound.

How do people in general react on your ‘Big Pun’-like flow?

Since the beginning of my recording career I have been compared to other artists but fortunately it has always been some of the dopest artists like Rakim and Big Pun, for example. It`s no secret Pun was one of the best to ever do it so being compared to someone like that is an honor especially considering I have my own distinct style. If people were comparing me to Chingy or Hurricane Chris then I would certainly have a problem! What`s particularly dope is building with cats like Domingo, and Showbiz, people who have worked with Pun, and they all told me I was reminiscent of that golden era sound in a positive way so I definitely think I`m doing something good.

Do you think you get enough credit as a Canadian in the US?

Regardless of where I am from I just want to be credited based on my skills and the music that I bring to the table. Being from Canada has never been an obstacle to networking or getting my respect in the industry because at the end of the day the music will speak for itself. At the same time being from Canada has been beneficial because it allows me to enter the game from a relatively unknown territory and heads are open to hearing what my music sounds like because they don`t know what to expect.

What do you think is your own weakest point?

I think I am a perfectionist to a fault sometimes and have nothing but the highest expectations for myself and the projects I involve myself in, which sometimes leads to me being strict on the people around me. But then again, being a perfectionist has also made me very meticulous in my methodology so I guess it has its positive sides as well.

Can you mention three albums from 2007 without a Sean Price featuring (J)? What was it like working with him?

Sean Price is definitely doing his thing and the hard work he puts in is exactly why so many artists want to get him on their records. Personally, I was introduced to Sean through my homie Domingo and we worked on some songs, one of which is on my album and also features Rustee Juxx, Solomon Childs of Theodore Unit and Party Arty. Working with Sean is cool, we smoke a couple of blunts and its a wrap. Actually, Sean did a video explaining to the world why I am the greatest rapper of all-time you can check it out right here.

If you could eliminate three mc’s from the scene, who would it be and why?

You know, I haven`t really been annoyed by anyone to the point I would want them eliminated from hip-hop. The funny thing is that no matter how wack an artist`s work may be, there is always someone that will like what they do. Personally, I wish there were even more wack rappers flooding the scene because they make artists like myself look better.

Where do you think hiphop will be within five years?

I think the independent game will become oversaturated after it is no longer profitable or attractive to sign to a major. With technology advancing at such a rapid pace, CDs will slowly go the way of the cassette tape and further complicate the task of independent artists who make a living off selling their music. It`s going to be an interesting next couple of years and I`m as interested as you are to see how it all unfolds.

What’s your personal motivation becoming a musician?

From writing poetry to becoming an MC, I always saw music as a way of expression to which no barriers could be applied. I utilize these means of communication to speak my message and put out music that is a direct extension of what made hip-hop so pure during its glory years.

What’s your favorite album all time?

Based on my overall appreciation for many classic hip-hop releases, I can`t really narrow it down to just one. But a few of my favorites are definitely Kool G Rap`s "Road to the Riches", Rakim`s "Paid In Full", Nas` "Illmatic," Ras Kass` "Soul on Ice", Snoop`s "Doggystyle" and also "The Chronic." There are others but for now I`m gonna list the essentials.

Could you explain the title of your album, Renaissance Music: The Introduction?

Renaissance Music comes from the type of hip-hop you can expect to hear from me which is somewhat of a Renaissance of classic hip-hop elements of lyricism and beats. The Introduction part comes from introducing myself as an artist and individual as well as reintroducing the core values of hip-hop to the new generation of fans who may not have been around during the golden era but are still curious as to what it sounds like.

What can we expect from you in the future?

I am working on the next project with production from Domingo as well as a few other producers and features I will keep under wraps for now. I will also be releasing the "Unreleased Treasures" CD which will be a compilation of unreleased and rare tracks I have done over the years and includes unheard collaborations with CL Smooth, Sean Price, Party Arty, Ghetto Dwellas, Punchline and more. Look out for that in late 2007, as well as a vinyl single for "All Fair" featuring Kool G Rap/"Say Goodbye".

Can we see you onstage in Europe in the future?
I`m definitely looking forward to performing in Europe and connecting with hip-hop heads there. From what I understand, the scene is in full expansion and heads are receptive to dope hip-hop artists and I would love to introduce my music to those crowds. I`m working on getting out there in Spring 2008 with fellow artist BluRum 13, so look out for that very soon.

Also, be sure to check out myspace.com/ruggedintellect for updates on new projects, show dates, new songs and other information.

For all the heads in the Netherlands reading this, you can get my album in stores now distributed by Groove Attack or online at nlstore.nl and also velvet.

Peace!

Rugged Intellect - Unsigned Hype
Rugged Intellect ft Rass Kass - Next Dose