10.7.2020
Video: Rucci – “Me & My Drugz, Pt. 2”
The Inglewood Rapper Samples Soul For Real’s “Candy Rain” in the Video for the Midget Album Highlight
Critical Praise:
“On the spectrum of the new Los Angeles, Rucci sits closest to classicism, capturing the spirit of greats like Suga Free and Mack 10. But don’t mistake that homage for predictability: Rucci consumes these beats. His presence throughout this album is glowing, outsized, and even within the frames of L.A. bump — minor keys, minimal bass — he makes daring production choices. (“Lowrider” interpolates, you know, that song). But beneath the booming production and drug inventories that run rampant on Tako’s Son are stories of deep loss and chosen family” – NPR
“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
The Video:
Coming out of Inglewood with a chip on his shoulder, Rucci is on a mission to show the world his versatile songwriting. Transforming a New Jack Swing slow jam into an ode to his favorite pastime, Rucci shares “Me & My Drugz, Pt. 2,“ his new video.The sequel to a 2019 cut from his acclaimed album Tako’s Son, the Steelz-produced “Me & My Drugz, Pt. 2” transforms Soul For Real’s 1994 smash “Candy Rain” from a drippy love song to a smooth and slinky anthem for the sippers. In the video, directed by Sebastian Maldonado, Rucci and guest artist Shordie Shordie post up in an undisclosed location, sipping dirty soda and crushing up any pill they can find. Produced by Steelz , “Me & My Drugz, Pt. 2” is a highlight from Midget, Rucci’s brand new album, which dropped last week.
Named after a nickname given to him during his youth, Midget finds Rucci maturing as an artist, while still treating his fans to the deliriously ratchet punchlines they’ve come to expect. Though he’s still one of the best at the game at delivering disrespectful neo-West Coast slappers–including “Bad Boys” featuring his frequent collaborator AzChike–Midget shines when Rucci gets in touch with his feelings, saluting a ride-or-die bae with the Zapp & Roger-sampling “Killa,“ lamenting a lost friendship in the touching and melodic “Understand,” and silencing his doubters with help from Mozzy in “Believe In Me. The album boasts recent singles like the alpha dog anthem “Check Me Out” ft. Haiti Babii, and the hard-hitting cross-Cali collab “Okay Doeee” ft. ALLBLACK. Featuring additional appearances from White John and Blxst, and with production by Ron-Ron, Rucci’s frequent collaborator Romo, and more, Midget is available everywhere via Mackk&Co/EMPIRE.
Midget is the proper follow-up to Tako’s Son, which channeled personal tragedy into musical triumph. Inspired by Rucci’s street-level observations and influenced by his late rap partner Sean Mackk, the album is ultimately a celebration of family, teeming with lessons Rucci learned from his father, mother, aunts, and uncles, and also from his adopted family in the Inglewood streets. The project took its name from Rucci’s father, Tako, an established Inglewood figure, who was deported to his native El Salvador, and Rucci told the full story of his background and his relationship with his dad in an ABOVE ALL-produced documentary. Featuring the L.A. hit “Get The Strap” ft. Shoreline Mafia (5 million streams on Spotify), Tako’s Son was named one of 2019’s “10 Best Rap Albums That Raised The Bar” by NPR.
“Me & My Drugz, Pt. 2” ft. Shordie Shordie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rufLy7tGg8
Buy/Stream Midget: https://music.empi.re/midget
Midget tracklist:
1. Complicated (Prod. by 420Tiesto, Traplordcami, Drumma)
2. No Friends (Prod. by Romo)
3. Bad Boys ft. AzChike (Prod by Traplordcami & 420Tiesto)
4. Check Me Out ft. Haiti Babii (Prod. by Drumma & 420Tiesto)
5. Okay Doeee ft. ALLBLACK (Prod. by Ron-Ron)
6. Me & My Drugz Pt. 2 ft. Shordie Shordie (Prod. by Steelz)
7. Burn In Hell Bitch ft. White John (Prod. by Traplordcami , Killa cam & Drumma)
8. Hoe Friends (Prod. by Romo)
9. Killa (Prod. by Traplordcami & Drumma)
10. Understand ft. Blxst (Prod by JR)
11. Broken Wings Interlude (Prod. By 420tiesto & Traplordcami)
12. Believe In Me ft. Mozzy (Prod. By Steelz)
13. Ran Outta Luck (Prod. by Romo)
14. Leave Me Alone (Prod. by Romo)
15. Juan Carlos Martinez Jr (Prod. by Romo)
Please contact Michelle or Erin for more info.
The Background:
Rucci Background:
Rucci is a 26-year-old rapper with a deep and decorated bloodline in the streets of Inglewood’s Northside. His father, known as “Tako,” is tied to three generations of Neighbor Hood Piru (NHP) set. “He’s a living legend where we’re from, ‘cause he was the only Hispanic person from a Black gang at that time,” explains Rucci, who is Salvadoran and Black. Raised by his father, who is now deported, and an uncle who is currently serving life in prison, the artist born Juan Martinez has been groomed for navigating the streets. However, in a critically-acclaimed, rising music career, Rucci is using wisdom and charisma to change the narrative on his life and his city. “Everything bad that I had to go through is because of my dad,” he notes. Rucci’s EMPIRE debut Tako’s Son sees the rapper turning the difficult cards he’s been dealt into a winning hand.
EMPIRE Background:
EMPIRE was founded in 2010 as an artist-friendly, progressive digital distribution company. After early success, and identifying future icons such as Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, and Rich Homie Quan, EMPIRE was quickly regarded as a tastemaker in the industry and throughout the past five years evolved into a full-fledged record label, distributor and publisher for independent musicians. With the company and roster growing at a breakneck pace, EMPIRE has effectively disrupted a stale business model by bringing its energy, expertise, and acumen to its artists and labels. Today, EMPIRE works with some of music’s hottest talent, ranging from superstars such as T.I. and Snoop Dogg, red-hot newcomers such as SOB X RBE and Mozzy, and established veterans like Jim Jones and Redman. While remaining 100% independent, EMPIRE has also partnered with Atlantic Records for a joint venture, home to breakout star D.R.A.M. and propelled singles by Fat Joe & Remy Ma (“All The Way Up,” 2x Platinum), Tyga (“Taste,” 3x Platinum), and Lil Duval (“Smile”) to the top of the Billboard Hip-Hop Charts. In April 2018, EMPIRE signed a global distribution deal with Universal Music Group for select artist projects.
Links:
instagram | twitter | soundcloud | youtube | spotify
“Me & My Drugz, Pt. 2” ft. Shordie Shordie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rufLy7tGg8
Midget: https://music.empi.re/midget
“Bad Boys” ft. AzChike: https://music.empi.re/badboys
“Okay Doeee” ft. ALLBLACK: https://music.empi.re/okaydoeee
“Killa”: https://music.empi.re/killa
“Check Me Out” ft. Haiti Babii: https://empire.ffm.to/checkmeout
“Tako’s Son” Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvtGS3tELKM
Tako’s Son: https://empire.lnk.to/takoson