Ruthless
"Strawberry"
Second release from Ruthless, features tracks with PLC, Infinity, ill e gal, Ill P.O.E. and The District!
$10 + S/H Ruthless
"Deliciously Vicious"
The debut album by Ruthless! Featuring tracks with PLC and The District!
$10 + S/H Ruthless
Strawberry Damage T-Shirt - Black
Sizes: Youth M-L, Mens L-3XL
$15 + S/H Ruthless
Strawberry Damage T-Shirt - White
Sizes: Youth M-L, Mens L-3XL
$15 + S/H
An eclectic five-member hip-hop collaborative based in St. Paul, Minn., Ruthless is a high-energy mix of various rap styles, influences, and inspirations. Consisting of emcees Phatty McGee, MC Rentz, Professor Fresh, Ill P.O.E and accompanied by the unique performance art of the mysterious Just Smoke, the group formed in 2004 as a result of the disbandment of rap groups Lyrical Pedestrianz and Psychosynthetik.
The group released their debut album, Deliciously Vicious, in March 2005 on the independent label Loonatix Productions. Their first effort, which showcased both their unorthodox stylings and their refusal to be labeled, spawned singles, “Taste This Fist,” “GJYEAH!!!,” “Mandy’s Going Through Some Sh*t,” and “Eat Sh!t Bitch.”
A year and a half later, the group followed up with Strawberry in November of 2006. Their sophomore album offered listeners a more refined and polished Ruthless, with a collection of smoother, more developed tracks that were still as original, fun, and genre-bending as their debut. Standouts on Strawberry include “Push,” “Rotten,” and “Time To Burn.”
Ruthless’ original sound is a result both of the group members’ diverse backgrounds and of their laissez-faire approach in the studio. For example, the majority of the production is split between MC Rentz and Professor Fresh, whose similarities might end with their interest in creating beats.
MC Rentz’s father is a professional musician and drummer who bought Rentz a keyboard and drum machine to experiment with when he was 12. He was writing his own lyrics by the time he was 13. To this day, MC Rentz’s father still contributes drums, mandolin, and Aboriginal sounds to Ruthless’ projects.
Professor Fresh, on the other hand, admits he was a band geek during high school, and didn’t care what genre of music he was playing as long as he was playing drums. Classically trained and influenced by everything from Beck and The Doors to Eazy E and the Beastie Boys, Professor Fresh brings an alternative and affable sound to the group and adds to their substantial depth.
While MC Rentz and Professor Fresh both came to hip-hop through their love of percussion, Ill P.O.E.’s interest in music began with the hip-hop culture and sound itself. The result is an added element of edginess and grit to the group.
“I had a cousin about three years older than me and he used to slip me music: Boogie Down Productions, Too Short, NWA,” he said. “I never heard anything like it before. It was huge – the stuff they were saying, and the way they were saying it to a beat that I could get down to. I’ve been listening ever since. I’m attached to hip-hop as a culture and rap as a genre.”
Phatty McGee rounds out the group as the founder of Loonatix Productions and business manager. A hip-hop and rap enthusiast to the core, Phatty grew up listening to rap from both coasts and, very simply, keeps Ruthless real (and running).
After making an impact on the Twin Cities’ hip-hop scene, Ruthless is turning its attention to expanding nationally. In fall of 2006, the group toured the east coast with past label mates PLC and has performed hundreds of shows from Minnesota to New York including the Twin Cities Celebration of Hip-Hop and the annual Gathering of the Juggalos.
Ruthless is currently back in the studio working on their third album, due out the summer of 2009. Instead of having any clear-cut leader (aside from visual art extraordinaire Just Smoke) the group completes its sound by letting each track develop organically as a collective effort.
“Each song is its own adventure and experience. One starts with a beat, a hook, a feeling, and idea,” explained Professor Fresh. “We’re all friends, and since we’re so musically diverse within ourselves, we can bring a lot to the table but also find a common ground. It’s all or nothing – it’s not like a majority rule, it’s everybody or nobody.”
Outside of their involvement with Ruthless, most of the group members are busy with their own solo efforts, side projects, and collaborations. Listening to each member’s solo efforts make it even more clear how the five fit together as a cohesive group with a unified sound.
MC Rentz recently released his second full-length album 1981, which mixes upbeat party tracks with more personal autobiographical cuts. Rentz also regularly releases volumes of “MC Rentz and Friends” which each showcase Rentz and one other MC. His first album, Atrophy, was released in 2006.
Professor Fresh also released his solo album, Shaken Not Stirred, in 2006, with his new full-length effort, The Fresh Files, due out in fall of 2008. Largely returning to his nerdcore and geeksta rap leanings, Professor Fresh’s new record is an homage to the X-Files and borrows themes and sounds from the late-90s sci-fi show. He is also assisting female rap artist MC ill e. gal with the beats on her first EP.
Ill P.O.E., the self-professed drinking man’s thinking man, has released one full-length album, A Hard Night’s Day, with DJ Shoba. He is also deep into work on his second album, Bleeding Heart Liberation, which he hopes will be a more soulful and more centered effort than his earlier projects. In between larger efforts, Ill P.O.E. produces Verses, sporadic EPs that keep his name around town.
Phatty Mcgee and Loonatix Productions are continuing to keep underground hip-hop fresh and innovative in the Twin Cities – the independent label recently won “Twin Cities’ Best Label” at the Second Annual Twin Cities Hip-Hop Awards and also recently celebrated their fifth anniversary. In April, Loonatix also released Serial MCs Volume 2, its second label compilation.
tHAnKS FoR ThE aDD!!! rUThLeSs iS tHE sHiT!!! rEPpiN mN aLL tHE wAy mUTHa FuCKaS!!! gOTTa SAy tHE beST ShOw IvE sEEn yOU dO wAS aT tHE gATHeRiNg THiS yEaR!!! yOU gUYS rOCKeD tHAt sHiT!!!
Sorry guys, would love to see this show but Mondays are hard to get out and all that shit. Saw the listing of the show in the City Pages for Minneapolis. I'll definately see ya in K Town on the 24th- much love! peace!
YO WHATS GOOD YOU ALL... IT'S YA BOY MAT-E-MAT BACK WITH ANOTHER HOT SINGLE FROM THE UPCOMING ALBUM "THE ASYLUM PROJECT" VOLUME 1. THE TRACK IS CALLED "TRACK SMASHA" AND IS UP ON MY PAGE NOW FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE. COME BY THE PAGE AND CHECK THE NEW BANGER, LEAVE YA LOVE AND AS ALWAYS THERES NO LIGHT IN THE UNDERGROUND. LET EM KNOW IM HERE TO STAY !! PEACE AND MUCH LOVE !
a heads up on our October sales promo: basically order 1,000 computer cut decals (up to 5 colors) and we're throwing in a free 13oz vinyl/vinyl grommet banner!
If you have any questions for sure hit me up,
Ryan Zappone 925NEVER Vinyl Decals ryan@925never.com 310.579.7580
What it look like...Everybody Thats Been Waitin im finna hit chu in tha head wit a lil mixxtape real quick...i dont know what tha fuck im finna kall it...but shoot thru and get a bar
Ruthless!. Just wanted to let you know about the new album coming out in 24 days. Halloween is the time. Definitely Damned will be slapping you in the face, ya Loon-a-tic.
See the cover at http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/LoonyJuggalo/DDCoverLQ.jpg
THANX FOR THE ADD Ruthless!!!!! HOPE THAT YOU ENJOYED MY TRAX FEEL FREE TO DOWNLOAD MUSIC LEAVE COMMENTS,VOICE COMMENTS OR SEND ME MAIL. KEEP IN TOUCH AND SPREAD THE WORD BOUT T.N.T.!!!! MUCH LOVE FROM T.N.T. PRODUCTIONZ!!!!
heyy there!!!! I had such a great time at the show!! that was my first time being at the bar and partying since i turned 21!! i dont remeber the end of the nite.. i think i lost my money lol idk.. but ill see u guys soon!!
Join us, along with stars from Dawn of the Dead, Halloween, Friday the 13th, Hellboy, Nightmare Before Christmas, Donnie Darko and more in Roseville Minnesota for "A November to Dismember" at Crypticon 08'!! www.CrypticonMinneapolis.com
"Want to know where we are partying for THE NIGHT" Text us at 678-557-6683 to get VIP ACCESS for you and your friends.... ARTISTS HIT UP FOR SHOWS ACROSS THE MIDWEST AND SOUTHERN CITIES like; Atlanta, Miami, Memphis... Text "Party" or if you are an artist text "Artist"
NEW ALBUM FROM ILL FORMAT RECORDS “THE SÉANCE” FEATURING ALL 7 ILL FORMAT ARTISTS PLUS MANY MORE.. AVAILABLE ON OCTOBER 31ST JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN , SO ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT WHILE YOUR DRIVING AROUND LOOKING FOR BAGS TO SNATCH OR A FREAK TO TAP, BUMB SOME WICKED HALLOWEEN TRACKS WHILE YOUR BLAZING THAT BLUNT VISIT www.myspace.com/nickellcromeplated or www.myspace.com/illformatrecords For more info
what up yo?? remember me aughta River falls? i got some new tracks up and new beats on my beats page.. check it out if you get a chance. word on the movement.
Hey there! Just stoppin by to say hey and that I hope all is going well!! If you haven't yet, please stop by my page and check out new song "Wonderful Things" and let me know what you think of it! Thanks so much! Rock on!! :-)
I heard through the grapevine recently yall are sending out the new sampler CD's and some promo flyers! I got some addresses from all these people that want hardcopies of the Loonatix 2008 sampler! This sampler yall got is real dope! So just let me know if I heard this info correctly and when or where to send em so I can pass this along to the right folks! Peace and grits ~wtf
Tin Castle Music is always on the lookout for new clients and is currently booking session time for as early as October! For more information, check us out at:
Hey salu2 desde las afueras Del Callao! Tengo Nuevos temas :) a ver que Opinan al Respecto, me daria mucho gusto tenerlos presente, Gracias y pa delante ! yo yo!
That news people? I leave my new topics, skip to listen..^^ Thank U and good luck in everything that comes ^^
Hey salu2 desde las afueras Del Callao! Tengo Nuevos temas :) a ver que Opinan al Respecto, me daria mucho gusto tenerlos presente, Gracias y pa delante ! yo yo!
That news people? I leave my new topics, skip to listen..^^ Thank U and good luck in everything that comes ^^
