instagram | twitter | soundcloud | youtube | spotify
“Rucci is one of the few young and buzzing West Coast rappers capable of pleasing both emcee traditionalists and those seeking true starpower and hit-making potential… Inglewood’s chosen son is on his way to stardom.” – HYPEBEAST
“… has raw neighborhood-star quality that leads to raucous and overpacked live shows.” – Billboard
“… L.A.’s most exciting rappers at the moment, capturing the raw energy of their respective neighborhoods on tracks like ‘Arco’ and ‘Like Woah.'” – The FADER
“… El Perro confirms Rucci as a major talent…There is likely no skeleton key to instant national fame, but Rucci seems to be developing, right in front of us, into an artist of major consequence.” – Vulture
“He’s become equally adept at writing fun party slappers and ferocious pain rap dirges, gangsta rap indebted to history but hounded by the demons of the present.” – The LAnd
In 2019, Inglewood rapper Rucci transformed from a street sensation to one of L.A.’s fast-rising stars. “Function In The Hood” took off as a seven-figure party anthem on multiple streaming platforms. Meanwhile, the Shoreline Mafia-assisted “Get The Strap” scoped out millions of fans as Rucci’s most-played track on Spotify, nearing 5 million streams. Both songs belong to 2019’s EMPIRE release, Tako’s Son. The album is an homage to Rucci’s father, who paved the way for his son in the streets of the ‘Wood’s Northside and its Neighbor Hood Piru (NHP) set. Approaching his 2020 followup, Midget, Rucci explains, “I already told listeners about my dad. Now I’m talking about me.”
The release title has personal meaning too. “Ever since I was little, people would call me ‘midget,” the 26-year-old says of his nickname, which is now a face tattoo. “My mom would say I was a small person in a big world, always wanting to be bigger.” Featuring right-hand man AzChike, Haiti Babii, Mozzy, ALLBLACK, and others, Midget finds a charismatic Rucci putting his strengths, vulnerabilities, and daily life into his catchy, larger than life music.
Rucci was raised with rap dreams, thanks to XXL magazine subscriptions gifted by his mother. By his teens, the rapper of Salvadorian and Black heritage had formed MackkRucci with respected neighborhood artist Sean Mackk. Their projects garnered strong appeal in the mid-2010s. “Everybody in L.A. started grasping onto who we were,” Rucci recalls. However, in July of 2017, the man born Shawn Ivy was fatally shot in an Inglewood cul-de-sac. His partner kept going, naming his label Mackk & Company in tribute. But in processing his loss, Rucci began confronting feelings in songs. “When I opened up to the world, people started understanding.” From his father to his slain rap partner, Rucci honored others with his music. In 2020, following his most successful year to date, the artist put the spotlight on himself. Early in the year, his EP, I’m Still Me, was a personal homecoming after millions of streams, Rolling Loud performances, and steady music videos. The project closed with “Midget,” an intentional transition towards an album about Rucci’s journey and his multifaceted layers.
Following his recent success, Rucci says he has purchased homes for his mother as well as his father, Tako. While living with his younger brother, the artist has new priorities. “Since I got my mom and my dad out the way, I’m going straight rapper mode,” he shares. “I’m becoming who I always wanted to become. I always wanted to be able to take care of everybody around me and at the same time keep myself satisfied on a higher level.” This new focus allows Rucci to get competitive and cocky. “I’ve been super nice and super humble. Now? No more,” warns one of L.A.’s most exciting new voices. “I’m letting you have it, left and right. I’m not sitting here waiting for nobody. Nah, I’ma say your name.” Single “Understand” draws from a real-life falling out between Rucci and his best friend. Midget also offers a sequel to fan favorite, “Me N My Drugz.” This installment thematically samples Soul For Real classic “Candy Rain” for an unfiltered look at how Rucci relaxes. “I think that’s gonna turn a lot of heads,” says the rapper, who demonstrates his singing abilities on the intoxicating song.
“This album is about me maturing while still being the biggest dickhead in the world,” admits Rucci with his hearty laugh. After putting on for his hood and uplifting his family, Midget fully introduces a talented and versatile artist with giant plans.
Press Releases
Rucci & Blxst Work Through Relationship Problems in “Understand” Video
Rucci Shares Midget (Deluxe), with New Tracks Featuring OhGeesy, AzChike, and More
Rucci Shares “Complicated” Video & Announces Deluxe ‘Midget’ LP
Rucci & ALLBLACK Take on the LAPD in “Okay Doeee” Video
Rucci Leans Back with Shordie Shordie in “Me & My Drugz, Pt. 2” Video
Rucci Continues His Inglewood Story with ‘Midget’ Album
Rucci & AzChike Emulate Will Smith & Martin Lawrence in “Bad Boys” Single
Rucci Announces ‘Midget’ Project, Shares New “Okay Doee” Single With ALLBLACK
Rucci Salutes His Loyal “Killa” In a Hard-Hitting Love Song + Video
Rucci and Haiti Babii Unite for an Alpha Dog Anthem *grrr*
Rucci Reunites With His Deported Father in the Moving ‘Tako’s Son’ Documentary, Premiered by The FADER, and Interviews with Beats 1’s Travis Mills
Rucci Teams with Fellow L.A. Riser AzChike to Host a “Function In The Hood”
🌴🔥 Rucci Unleashes Cali Fire on Breakneck Banger “I Ain’t Gon Lie”
Rucci Lives and Breathes Inglewood on His Debut Album Tako’s Son
Inglewood’s Rucci Struggles to Stay Resilient in the “Keep Going” Video
Rucci Announces Tako’s Son, His Deeply Personal Debut Album Out August 9th
Rucci Kicks Back on a Tijuana Beach in the Video for “La Bamba”
L.A. Hard-Hitter Rucci Shares Latin-Flavored Slapper “La Bamba”
Press Photos