11.17.2020

Rucci Announces Deluxe Of Sophomore Album Midget, Shares Video To Title Track “Complicated”

Inglewood’s Rap Prodigy Returns To His Roots In “Complicated” Video, The Deluxe Midget LP Will Be Available 11/20 via Mackk & Co./EMPIRE

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 + Announcement:

“We only win or losing ties, n****/I’m ’bout my business, suit and tie, n****/Never complainin’, I’m just grateful I’m alive,” Inglewood’s Rucci raps on “Complicated,” the opening track from his recently released sophomore album Midget. “Complicated” is emblematic of where Rucci is at in his career and where he’s headed—he’s gained fame and critical praise for his presence on the mic, but he won’t feel fulfilled until he’s able to fully provide for himself and his people. In the video, he takes it back to Day 1, with photos of a young, gleeful Rucci, before fast-forwarding to today, celebrating his successes with his Day 1s outside next to a coupe with the butterfly doors up.

Along with the video comes the announcement of Midget (Deluxe ), due this Friday 11/20 via Mackk &Co./EMPIRE. Showcasing Rucci’s tireless work ethic, the album will feature all fifteen songs on the initial release as well as nine new tracks. Titled after a nickname given to him during his youth, the sequel to last year’s acclaimed Tako’s Son 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.”

With instrumentals that range from hard-hitting street slappers to chill electro-funk samplers, Midget is packed with breakneck flows and relentless bars, and even gives Rucci the chance to show off his silky singing voice. 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. The rapper also follows up Tako’s Son highlight “Me & My Drugs” with a sequel, enlisting a Soul II Soul sample and a verse from Shordie Shordie for “Me & My Drugz II.” 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.

Watch “Complicated”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PLtaTd5WzU

Pre-order Midget Deluxe: https://music.empi.re/midget_deluxe

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)

Midget (Deluxe) new tracks:
16. Hotel (Prod. by Zay Coronado)
17. Tha Whoops (ft Lil Duece & Cypress Moreno) (Prod. by Cypress Moreno)
18. Watch Me (ft. AzChike)
19. Where I’m From (ft. Band Gang Lonnie Bands & OhGeesy) (Prod. by Ron-RonTheProducer)
20. Do I Ever (Prod. by BlvckLotus)
21. Ride Wit Me (Prod. by Benny Ave)
22. Float On (ft. Mister) (Prod. by Tiesto)
23. Shmoke (ft. Pjay & AzSwaye) (Prod. by Fort Woe)
24. Everybody Weird (Prod. by JR)

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.