Growing up in LA, the entertainment capital of the world, Rankin Ruff had the luxury of being musically exposed to the likes of the best and most groundbreaking hip-hop artists, from Eric B. & Rakim, to Run D.M.C. and the bravado of LL Cool J. RR, like many rap enthusiasts around the mid-1980s, listened and recorded the onslaught of hip-hop from the only hip-hop radio station stateside, KDAY. When KRS One and the late Scott La Rock through their debut, Criminal Minded and others such as Just-Ice incorporated their Jamaican style of toasting and beat patterns into their hip-hop music, RR was captivated instantly. This is when he decided to take a special interest into other artists such as Shinehead and Asher D. and Daddy Freddy. At the same time, one of his best friends also introduced him to the music of Bob Marley, Yellowman, Barrington Levy and other classic reggae artists, and as time went on, his passion grew and grew closer to being attached to reggae through countless of releases, particularly one titled, Reggae House Music on VP Records, a compilation that introduced him to Shabba Ranks, Ninjaman, Flourgon and even El General. He kept up with dancehall every week through compilations mixed by DJ Neil Chin of Simretes Records in Los Angeles and attended shows featuring his favorite dancehall stars passing through LA. As a college student at Cal Poly Pomona, RR attended many shows, but the one show that streamed him into his transformation from avid fan to being a fantastic performer, was one featuring reggae group, Bass Culture, where he jumped up on stage and started to freestyle to the crowd’s delight! That night and his confidence to bum-rush the stage, earned him the attention of Andre (of Kindred) who contacted RR the very next day and asked him to work with his group. Working and performing with Kindred, RR opened for Pato Banton, Barrington Levy and played a variety of venues throughout California and the United States. Time and time again, Jamaicans and the Caribbean massive praised RR for bringing back island memories, and it wasn’t uncommon for him to leave the stage always hearing a “Respect yute!” or a “You ruff n’ tuff!” hence the setting to coin his stage name today. RR went on to grace the stages, performing at some of his favorite events and clubs such as Magic Johnson’s Mardi Gras Party, Beachfest (Long Beach), UCLA Reggae Festival (Los Angeles), Reggaesplash (Los Angeles), and Nottingham Carnival (UK). Rankin Ruff’s “Mi Naw Done Yet” which tells the world, he’s been on a break, but he’s not done yet, always willing to write and ink some influence with his unique style, never turning down or shying away from an opportunity to freestyle – his ‘top rankin’ strength! The single can be heard on Joint One Radio and 88.7 KPSC (Claremont, California). It was also featured on BBC Radio 2 and will hit more stations with thanks to you support. Recently, Ruff teamed up with Baka Boyz to bring fans a Drum & Bass version and a new underground Hip-Hop version, renamed “All Night Long” featuring Nick V. of the Baka Boyz.