Ricky Ruckus
June is a major month for Carolina All Day. It features one of the state's most prolific and humble artists, Ricky Ruckus. Packed with blazin' lyrics, a go get it attitude, and a host of talents, Ricky Ruckus has stamped his name as a true Carolina pioneer. Carolina All Day sat down with Ruckus to dive into the mind of a Carolina great!!!
CAD:Where can the fans hear Ricky Ruckus on the Internet?
RUCKUS: Nowadays, you can almost hear my music on any hip hop site out. Mostly for the spankin new original joints and freestyles... you can get em on my myspace page (www.myspace.com/rickyruckus.com) or by following me on twitter (www.twitter.com/rickyruckus). Google Me ! lol
CAD:How do you think the music scene in the Carolinas compares to other major cities?
RUCKUS: I think right now we have the advantage on other markets that have "blown" in the past because other markets are usually based around cities. North / South Carolina's market is based around two entire states.
CAD:How does it feel to be recognized as the top MC in North Carolina?
RUCKUS: Haha... Didnt know I was recognized as "the top", but I guess that feels great lol. Im just trying to stay consistant, quality and quantity wise so I can still stand out amongst the crowd years down the line.
CAD:You have released numerous mixtapes. How do you continue to stay so hungry?
RUCKUS: Right now, droppin mixtapes is the most cost-effective way to keep a buzz going. I just been puttin alot of work in on the net and in the streets trying to figure out ways to build my brand bigger. I haven't made it anywhere yet. I've never been signed, never been on tour or never had a nationally accepted record. Those are some of my short term goals in my career. I treat this rap thing like a 9 to 5. So my hunger in hip hop is similar to trying to work yourself up in a company. I dont look at it like "what am I gonna do next?"... Im just being myself, doing what I love to do... so what other "rappers" look at as grind, I look at as regular life.
CAD:Why do you think the labels have passed up on Carolina artists?
RUCKUS: I have no idea!!! I cant understand it... Carolina has the most talented unsigned artists in the country and these A&Rs have yet to bust the market open. The way I see it... they can either open the door or we kickin it down. Dont matter to me... both ways work.
CAD:What Carolina artists have you worked with?
RUCKUS: Man.... I've worked with everybody in NC with a buzz outside of the street they live on lol. Its way too many names to name...I been doin this for over 12 years. It kinda make me feel old on the low... On the real Im only 25 tho, so its cool lol
CAD:What Carolina artists do you still want to work with?
RUCKUS: I wanna do atleast one joint with everybody thats out here seriously getting it in. Im about to start filtering dudes out tho lol. *** P.S.A... First of all, make sure your quality is right before you send me the joint to put a verse on. Second of all, Dont bugg me about the verse every 5 minutes! Ima get it to you soon as I can!
CAD:AOG won Indie Label of the Year at the 2009 NCUMA's. Tell the people which artists are under the AOG label?
RUCKUS: Right now... Me, Glueazy, MoneyBagz Murdah, Sweet Neek, Safe Money, Franchise, Ms. Trinidad, Do8, Kenney Kokaine, Young BGZ & Rest In Peace to the founder of the movement.
CAD:What projects are you currently working on?
RUCKUS: Currently Im workin on a mixtape series called “Everybody Hates Rick”. I drop every 4th of every month. The names of the tapes change but its all under one series. I think Im about to start putting an official album together too. Other than that its just day to day, doing features & trying to build the presence of Army Of Gorillas Entertainment.
CAD:Shout outs...
RUCKUS: Shotout everybody following the movement. www.rickyruckus.com www.twiiter.com/rickyruckus Ayoooooo Gz'up