Rucci and Haiti Babii Unite for an Alpha Dog Anthem grrr

Inglewood’s Favorite Son Teams Up With a NorCal Wild Card for West Coast Banger

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:

With a ferocious flow and a penchant for overcoming adversity, Inglewood’s Rucci is one of the freshest rising rappers on the West Coast. Coming through with his latest disrespectful banger, Rucci shares “Check Me Out,” a demonstration of his smack-talking prowess. Breathlessly growling in a fast-paced flow, Rucci methodically lays out why he’s “the hottest thing smokin'”: “I be floatin’, can’t lose focus/I’m the sh*t and I know it.” The song benefits from a wild-eyed guest verse from Stockton, CA rapper Haiti Babii, who brings an extra dose of energy.

In the video, premiered by Lyrical Lemonade, Rucci dons a bright red bulletproof vest and heads to the junkyard with Haiti Babii and some homies–including fellow Mackk & Co. rapper White John. Arming themselves with makeshift weapons, the formidable crew prepares for war, ready to knock down anyone who’d dare challenge them. “Check Me Out” is the first single from Rucci’s next album, the follow-up to Tako’s Son, Rucci’s acclaimed debut.

Channeling personal tragedy into musical triumph, Tako’s Son is the best showcase yet of Rucci’s skill for mixing snapping instrumentals, breakneck bars, and heartfelt lyricism. 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 the ABOVE ALL-produced documentary “Tako’s Son.” Featuring the L.A. hit singles “Function In The Hood” ft. AzChike and “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.

Coming this fall, Rucci’s follow-up to Tako’s Son builds on the themes of the previous project, while showcasing Rucci’s ever-improving emcee and songwriting skills. Stay tuned for the upcoming project, releasing via EMPIRE.

The Background:

Rucci Background:

Rucci is a 2y-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.