R.A. The Rugged Man

R.A. The Rugged Man (Ryan A. Thorburn) (born January 10, 1974) is an American hip-hop MC from Suffolk County, Long Island. Known for his raw lyricism, technical skills, and controversial persona, he emerged in the 1990s underground rap scene, working with labels like Rawkus Records and collaborating with legends such as Notorious B.I.G., Masta Ace, and Kool G Rap.
Despite his talent, he faced industry setbacks, including a well-documented dispute with Rawkus Records, which shelved his album Night of the Bloody Apes. He later rebuilt his career independently, releasing acclaimed projects such as Die, Rugged Man, Die (2004), Legends Never Die (2013), and All My Heroes Are Dead (2020).
Since 2016, he has been based in Berlin, , where he lives with his wife and their two children.