About RNR

What you need to know about your favorite emcee!

Rugged N Raw has developed his raw, uncut style on the microphone, solidifying himself as one of the best up and coming artists around. He separates himself from the rest of the pack with his ability to perform in all environments and venues, even if he is the only hip-hop feature, using his universally relatable lyrics and an unmatched stage presence.

RNR has garnered press from Entertainment Weekly and performed at the 2009 Rocksteady main stage event. He was a finalist at the 2008 Discmakers/Billboard Independent Music World Series, finalist for the America's Next Urban Superstar award at the 2009 Urban Music Awards & featured at the 2008 Baltimore Music Conference. The hit single "I'm Broke And Proud" f/Hasan Salaam was aired on FUSE Network, Video Music Box (Hosted by Ralph McDaniels), and received written press in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Washington Post and New York Magazine. He was also featured on Cipha Sounds' Morning show on Eminem's Shade 45 channel on Sirius Satellite Radio. The latest album "Truth Serum" was rated as a top 10 indie release of 2008 on quite a few sites, including KevinNottingham.com & RapReviews.com and went on a successful 14 city tour in the fall.

Rugged N Raw has shared the stage with the likes of Rakim, Black Thought, Pharoahe Monch, Immortal Technique, Sean Price, DJ Premier of Gang Starr, Jeru The Damaja, Brand Nubian, Roxanne Shante, U-God of Wu-Tang Clan, Serius Jones, Grandmaster Caz, DMC, C Rayz Walz, Poison Pen, Cormega, The Cinematic Orchestra, Eyedea & Abilities, Akir, 5 Ft. of Black Moon, Amanda Diva from MTV2, Kevin Michael, Saul Williams, John Forte, Eternia, Mr. Lif, Polyrhythm Addicts, Dame Grease, RAMP and Rob Sonic. Rugged N Raw's music is lively, honest and tells everyday stories, whether humorous or serious. No two songs are alike. He is a true versatile wordsmith with the perfect instrumentals to accent the lyrics. RNR tells the tale of both the superhero and the unassuming alter ego.

Rugged N Raw has performed at the following locations:

• MANHATTAN
  • FUSE Network
  • Sirius Radio Shade 45 (Cipha Sounds Effect Show)
  • Club Speed
  • Central Park Summer Stage
  • Knitting Factory
  • Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN)
  • Downtime
  • WNYU (89.1FM)
  • WBAI (99.5FM)
  • Izzy Bar
  • Piano's
  • R&R (Club Rare)
  • Shrine World Music Palace
  • Upper Manhattan
  • Latin Quarter
  • Platinum Lounge
  • Bar 169
  • Rothko
  • Acme
  • 20/20
  • Nuyorican Poets Cafe
  • Peppers
  • Worth Lounge
  • Bowery Poetry Club
  • Blaggard's Pub
  • Pussycat Lounge
  • Remote Lounge
  • The Pyramid
  • Don Hill's
  • Nightingale's
  • Ace Of Clubs
  • Sparks
  • Baggot Inn
  • 1st Annual Rapathon @ Magic Johnson Theatre
  • Sin Sin
  • Opaline
  • M15
  • Carlito's
  • Wild Spirits
  • KGB Bar
  • Sutra Lounge
• BRONX
  • Lehman College
  • Bronx Community College
  • Crimson Lounge
  • Bronx Museum
  • Show And Prove Radio
• BROOKLYN
  • Galapagos Art Space
  • Southpaw
  • Sputnik
  • Brown Chocolate Cafe
  • 507 Bar & Grill
  • Tropical Reflections
  • Graham Resort
  • The Stinger Club
  • The Five Spot
  • El Puente High School
  • Dumbo
  • Grindethiks Mixtape Radio Show (scrubradio.com)
• QUEENS
  • African Poetry Theatre
  • LaGuardia College's POW Radio
  • Rikers Island
• NEW JERSEY
  • NJPAC (Newark)
  • Axiom Studios (Newark)
  • Newark Museum (Newark)
  • New Jersey City University (Jersey City)
  • Club Flavas (Newark)
  • Forum Theatre (Metuchen)
  • WPSC FM (88.7 FM)
  • Court Tavern (New Brunswick)
  • Montclair State College WMSC 90.3FM (Montclair)
  • Jersey's Comcast EEE (Channel 51)
  • Polluted Garden Internet Radio
  • Branch Brook Manor (Belleville)
  • Elbow Room (Newark)
  • LP Studios (Newark)
  • Dingbat's (Clifton)
  • WRSU Rutgers (88.7 FM)
  • Skylite Lounge (Harrison)
  • The Old Bay (New Brunswick)
  • Redbank High School (Red Bank)
  • Dancing Goat Cafe (South Orange)
  • Marita's Cantina (New Brunswick)
  • Full Spectrum (Plainfield)
• NORTH CAROLINA
  • The Blind Tiger (Greensboro)
  • Greene Street (Greensboro)
  • A Jarrell Affair (Charlotte)
  • Peppers (High Point)
  • Club 9 (Greensboro)
  • Eden (Charlotte)
  • Somewhere Else Tavern (Greensboro)
  • The Flying Anvil (Greensboro)
  • 90.9FM WQFS (Greensboro)
  • Slap Happy Radio 103.1 FM (Greensboro)
  • Alexander Devereaux's (Greensboro)
• CONNECTICUT
  • Central Connecticut State University
  • Cafe Moja
• LONG ISLAND
  • Club Pure
• PHILADELPHIA
  • Liquid Charm
  • Friends Neighborhood Guild
  • The Five Spot
  • The Underground
• DELAWARE
  • 814 Club (Wilmington)
• UPSTATE (NEW YORK)
  • Bard College
  • SUNY New Paltz
  • Easter Correctional Facility
• FLORIDA
  • Tatame Saki Lounge (Orlando/Winter Park)
  • Sluggo's (Pensacola)
  • WVFS 89.7’s FM "Underground Railroad (Tallahassee)
  • The Down Below (Tallahassee)
• ATLANTA
  • Apache Cafe
• BALTIMORE
  • Black Hole
  • Jabba Lounge
• RHODE ISLAND
  • Brown University
• MAINE
  • The Asylum(Portland)
• VERMONT
  • Higher Ground (Burlington)
• MASSACHUSETTS
  • Pearl Street (Northampton)
• WASHINGTON, DC
  • Carlos Rosario Charter School