Talib Kweli & R.A. The Rugged Man On 'All My Heroes Are Dead,' Biggie, A-F-R-O | People's Party Full 

TIME STAMPS: 3:30 -- R.A. and Talib discuss their collaboration on 'Learn Truth' and go on to talk about the signature self-deprecation found throughout R.A.'s lyrics taking the edge off his shock humor, coming up in the 80's and 90's era of censorship, R.A.'s daughter being born on the anniversary of his father's death, how his daughter's birth changed his world, writing his song 'First Born' about the embracement of fatherhood and he explains why he has no plans to hide the wild and crazy chapters of his life from his children. 9:57 -- R.A. breaks down why the shock value jokes heard throughout his music should all be taken with a grain of salt and they go on to discuss the sad state of cancel culture as well as sex workers being able to make a living without judgement from the the self-rightous. They also get into R.A.'s classic song 'Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story' as they discuss it being written from the view of R.A.'s veteran father who suffered the after effects of Agent Orange, which also brought birth defects to several of R.A.'s siblings. 19:16 -- R.A. speaks on his father buying him his first rap album which turned out to be a Fat Boys record, turning R.A. onto old school soul music and giving his sister special treatment. They also discuss his growing up in the same neighborhood as his idol Biz Markie, the 90's Crustified Dibbs era of R.A.'s career bringing him PTSD and the industry essentially black balling him over accusations of inciting riots at shows. They also get into his linking up with the Notorious B.I.G. on 'C*nt Renaissance' and why he felt compelled to write the track 'Every Record Label Sux Dikk'. 32:31 -- R.A. is asked about Ego Trip's quote of Biggie's saying, "And I thought I was the illest." when referring to R.A.. They discuss R.A.'s praise from fellow emcees, his antics and bad behavior getting in the way of earlier success, how he linked up with Rawkus Records, bringing in a stripper, vibrator and an old mattress for a Rawkus photo shoot, R.A.'s recorded argument with Floyd Mayweather and the black comedy horror film 'Bad Biology' that R.A. produced and co-wrote with Frank Henenlotter who he states became like a second father during his mentorship throughout the making of the movie. 40:06 -- R.A. and Talib discuss the legacy of Biz Markie, R.A. linking up with rapper AFRO and taking him on tour after he won R.A.'s 'Definition Of A Rap Flow' contest of which Talib was amongst the panel of judges. R.A. also gets into the recording of his song 'The Legends Never Die' about his father passing away from cancer and R.A.'s engineer convincing him to keep the take of his getting choked up on the mic. They also go on to discuss how words like 'whiteboy' and 'cracker' have never offended R.A. and the history behind those words and others never equating to the n-word. 48:21 -- R.A. and Talib reflect on the Twitter feud between rapper Remedy and Talib that R.A. got caught in the middle of several years ago. They get into the backstory of why Remedy came at Talib online, R.A. being a mutual friend of the two and his making attempts to mediate as well as the other white rappers that injected themselves into the argument. They also discuss Vinnie Paz backing Talib online, R.A. experiencing jealousy from other white emcees, racists hating on rap until artists like Eminem came along and R.A. vocally paying homage to the legends that built the house of rap. 57:58 -- R.A. talks about Method Man giving him props during his Crustified Dibbs days, MF Doom being known to send someone else to shows in his place donning the mask, R.A.'s deep influence of Kool G Rap and G Rap thanking him for dropping the line "I don't want fans that don't know who G-Rap is." They also get into R.A.'s 2020 album 'All My Heroes Are Dead' and break down the song 'Angelic Boy' written from the perspective of a mass shooter as they debate if these killer's names should be made public or if doing so gives the killers the infamy they were looking for and inspires others. 1:07:18 -- R.A. gives his take on the Astroworld concert tragedy, Travis Scott being blamed for the deaths that occured and they talk about the gulf between who's to blame versus who's accountable for possible negligence and if incidents like this one can really make a difference in how they approach precautionary measures for future events. R.A.'s song 'Gotta Be Dope' and A-F-R-O's crazy verse on the track is discussed along with who would be on R.A.'s fast rapping all-star team line-up, Sean Price being a top comedic rapper of all-time and the potential Verzuz battles of Nas, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliot. 1:16:32 -- R.A. bringing in an army of rap royalty features on his latest album is discussed. They also dig into his songs 'Who Do We Trust?', the 'Montero (Lil Nas X Remix)', people claming Lil Nas X's imagery in his music and performances turn people gay, Talib admitting to taking issue with Lil Nas X's trolling of Nas fans, they debate if the flaboyantly owning of Nas X's homosexuality is something new and R.A.'s verse on Montero is also brought up where he states, "What's worse, Lil Nas X Satanic sneaker, or leaving kids at the church with the Catholic preacher?". To close out the interview R.A. is asked what fans of R.A. can expect next.

Damn, When they mentioned a team of fast flow MC's I totally forgot to mention CHIP FU !!! that's who I shouldve said. CHIP FU is one of the GOATS ever of fast flow.

Talib is a legend for bringing these legends and talk hiphop the way he does. Other podcasts usually talk about things that get views and controversial topics but People's party is real life and hiphop Respect for Talib and RA

Talib Kweli is such a great interviewer and R.A. is such a great interviewee. And they're both such great MCs

I’ve seen both these MC’s live. Both tear the stage up.

Damn what a way to start the new year with Hip Hop, R.A., yea! His All My Heroes Are Dead album was my favorite of 2020 and still rocks every time I play it. R.A. is a solid, genuine legend. Props to the show for having him !

I could listen to R.A. tell stories all day long. Props to People's Party for always getting the best guests!

Thanks for having RA The Rugged Man on the show. Dude is a legend and one of the most humble, but yet unique personalities in hip hop history. Its so cool to see him growing older and more stable and stuff

R.A. The Rugged Man deserves to have a biopic! frankly he should direct it too

His uncommon valor verse is one of the greatest of all time

Wow My parents also bought me my first rap albums in 86, the fat boys, big daddy kane and Dj jazzy Jeff and the fresh prince. I have loved rap music and loved and been part of Hip Hop culture ever since, I have been a huge fan of R.A since his Certified Dibbs days and was bumping the tape Single till it dame near popped :) it's amazing how far he has come and grown as a person and lyrically he's a Goat in my eyes! I'm so Happy to see R.A finally getting his flowers and becoming more of a house hold name for years all of us so called Underground packager New York super Lyrical fans knew who He was. R.A is top 5 dead or Alive.

R.A. Need to do DRINK 🍺 CHAMPS!

R.A. gets all the love and respect from the legendary MC’s & producers in Hip-Hop. It was just the guys in the suits that held him back.

This makes my day off. Thank you for having RA on.

Talib always does dope interviews but this was awesome because both R.A and Talib have such a love and long storied history with the culture. Being an older cat who came up around the same time it was awesome to watch this. It could have easily been a 10 hour interview, there were so many trailing off moments. That remix R.A did with the lil nas x song even had him acknowledge it, which was dope. I wonder if Taylor Swift caught R.A's remix of her song.

He changed the way I felt about hip hop and my families experience with Agent Orange, real MC. My very close uncle was a medic, got sprayed by "the agent".

Thank you both! I requested this interview way back when All My Heroes are Dead dropped and I learned about RA by playing all his stuff religiously for like more than a month. RA wins my title for artist I slept on most. I literally missed him entirely. I was on this channel subscribed back when it was vintage hip hop focused and then my all time favorite MC’s podcast showed up on the channel I was already subscribed to. This is like interview heaven for me. 🔥🔥🔥

One of the few artists speaking out against the U.S.-backed genocide in Yemen paid for by U.S. taxes, and speaking out against the attacks on free press such as with WikiLeaks and Julian Assange.

Thank you for having this legend on. The love in the room is felt.

Yes!! Starting 2022 on fire!

I’m Hungarian but even if this might sound unbelievable for you Talib to hear this from a guy like me, but I am forever gracious that African-Americans created probably the realest genre of music of all time and you democratized it and allowed people of every color to create with this sound and art form. I also believe this podcast is basically the best thing in the podcast world, these interviews are such history lessons that people will keep revisiting them in years and years if not decades. You a truest missionary of Hip Hop, Talib, so much loving for your massive discography and your podcast. I also seen you live Talib in 2010 at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, when The Roots were also there. It was the only live show I’ve been to while I was in the States and to this day feels so unreal to tell my friends that I’ve been to a Talib show on his home turf

I liked RA since he was featured on the "Think Differently (05)" compilation Wu Tang album that he was a feature on J-Live's song "Give it up"! Whenever R A is a feature on someone else's song he 🖤 s out👍!! So glad that him and B.I.G did "C--t Renaissance" together 👍! Song was unfortunately short but still by far the raunchiest songs ever made. Rip to his dad and thank him for his service!

Loved this interview. Been listened to rugged man since high school. (Mid 2000’s) He really does get better and better with age. I love how talib interviews people. Been wanting RA to come on

Ahw man, what a way to start 2022. Been waiting on this since People’s Party started. R.A. always rotates through my top 5 favorite mc’s with Red, Ghost, Sean Price & Pharoahe Monch, after this interview he is number 1 again 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Kwa... get Vinnie on your show... Vinnie is super cool... and Killah Priest!!!

R.A. always kills it on features and compilations. Soundbombing: Til My Heart Stops; Stanley Kubrick; On The Block Czarface: Good Villains Go Last DemiGodz: Captain Caveman

Love RA the emcee. Don't agree with everything he says but that's what life is about. I still don't understand how grown men call their father daddy though. Reminds me of a old Carlin bit.

Been waiting for this one!

rugged man is a real one

RA too dope.

R.A. looks and sounds like he could play a young Stallone in his biopic

If an MC on the level as Talib gives an introduction like that....You best take note!!! One of the best to ever do it!!! If you don't think so...check out his material!!! One of the greatest lyricists to grace the mic hands down!! RA THE RUGGED MAN also known as the crustified dibs.....#legend

Finally, the short clips got me excited

Great interview!! Been listening to R.A. for years. He deserves more credit than what he gets.

Rugged Man!! Can't wait to see you in March

One of the best interviews ever. Great questions. They did their research. Great flow.

Ohhhhh man. This was soooo good. 2 legends. I watched every second on the edge of my seat. So much respect for both of you, big love.

R.A. been one of my top favorites for ever!! Big ups Rugged Man!

Rawkus records alumni.

This was a great interview. Two of my favorite MCs with a solid conversation. Picked up a Good Day Gang hat, too.

Sometimes i hate the internet... But it gave independence and an ability for us to get R.A.! Thank the most high for this interview 🙏🏻 and of course shout out Talib Kweli for the game and for these personal interviews with legends 👑🔥

I've been waiting for this.

RA is the realest Brotha out there. Not just as the beast EMCEE we know him for, but the inspiring human being he continuously proves to be. From Crustified Dibbs all the way to now he’s always been one of the most unique and genuine artists in HIP HOP. Mad props and Happy New Year to The Rugged Man and The People’s Party. Peace.🔥🎤🔥🎤🔥🎤🔥🎤🔥🎤

It’s always interesting to hear about the people that influence mcs in ways that don’t necessarily connect directly back to music, like RA mentioning his relationship to Henenlotter. Insight like that always makes me appreciative of the role models in my life and people who constantly inspire to explore.

I love R. A. as an artist. I love the conversation as well.

Gracias tremenda entrevista,

Another banger! All My Heroes Are Dead is a phenomenal album!!

Rugged Man is a underground great!Glad to see him on this interview!

Needed this

excellent interview, R.A. is the Ozzie Osbourne of hip hop lol....one of my top 5 of all time salute.

Legendary conversation. Tech N9ne music introduced me to RA. Have since caught up with everything lol. Epic conversation.

Happy new year party people. 1 down and 51 Mondays to go y’all.

14:30 My father was also Vietnam Veteran highly decorated. War is wrong but Respect Veterans. Played Uncommon Valor for him before he passed. Too close to home for him he didn't enjoy it too much. Hated movies like Platoon and Apocalypse Now. I loved Uncommon Valor. I was born with defects due to Agent Orange also grew up with an emotionally physically and Spiritually scarred father due to his War experience. Thanks Talib, R.A., Jasmine ✌ ❤

We need an east vs west versus. Everyone from that time, and new ones to represent the lost ones. A celebration of the music that brought us all together by showing us how hard the losses were.

Would love to see RA get some more of his films made.

Great show 🔥

Was just bumpin "Chains" last week..

fantastic conversation

Great interview . Shout out to RA The Rugged Man. Talib and a beautiful Jasmin is a great hosts.

Great interview

Great episode

Finally… underrated One my favorite Mc …

Good Dad Gang hat is 🔥

Great talk, everybody... 🍻

R.a. has randomly been on my life since 1999, I was 12. First heard him on the skate video the storm, then on the wwf aggression album. Then a couple years later when I got into hip hop heard him on the high and mighty album. My dj friend showed me die rugged man die and unfortunately I didn't catch on then. Then hell razah the Renaissance single came out and boom i was like ooooooooohhhhhh that's that guy and boom one of my favorite mcs

Ol boy is top tier hands down

Dam I was looking at the clip going over RA RUGGED MANs dad, Finally cam out with the full interview.

R.A. - "I don't wanna get into this, but the whole Travis Scott situation..." 5 minutes later... Jasmine - "Anywhoo..."

Man, I love these guys

redman on epmd's hardcore

Tremendous podcast.

"Yea yea" lolll

Dope 👁️👍😎bullet point s.

I was gonna suggest Rugged Man as a guest Kweli. Good looking on another legend as a guest!

Awesome interview I saw both y’all in Wichita KS and we did both of y’all dirty! Shutting down Talib Kweli for “lightning” bull shit, then the club RA was at his name wasn’t on the marquee and they didn’t promote it at all. He still killed the show and took pictures and signed hella shit for me! Thank you!

I was curious about what u guys think of the Kane vs KRS Verzuz, but it's cool, that dialogue was really dope my man RA dropping philosophy history on our heads, got to give him props for everything he did

Another 🔥 episode guys R.A. the Rugged Child a legend who's been around everyone in hip hop circles. Legendary Emcee I'm glad to see Talib is giving Legendary Emcees who many people may not have thought were or who people forgot a platform to speak on their success and boy it was. Keep pushing out the content as hip hop fan I look forward to it. Keep up the good work

Yooo that Lil Nas X sample was unreal. Said a lot of powerful shit. Props R.A

RA need to be a regular guest

Awesome

That was fun

🐐

Big up to Kweli’s reference to Flight of Condors 🤣 #businesssocks

True legend #ratheruggedman

Please interview The Alchemist.

Talib Kweli insulted/trolled me on IG a few months ago! but I still love Talib and R.A

I don't know R.A.'s music much, but he played Soundset. And I still think about when he performed a song featuring Vinnie Paz, and had his son on to do his verse as "Mini Paz"

Wowww..I always wondered why AFROs track on AFRO Polo, where it's an homage to Ruck, was called Joe Jackson...that is *awesome* to learn.

He sounds like Stallone lol

Good dad gang!

Travis Scott made it his thing to encourage fans to break fences down, bum rum security, incite riots and generally Rage. He did it at two previous concerts in different states both resulting in fans, security and local authorities getting injured charges brought against Scott for things like public endangerment and inciting a riot. In the weeks and days leading up to Astroworld Scott already had situation at a fever pitch encouraging fans to jump the gates a long with his battle cry of “Let’s Rage”. Travis Scott was 100% complicit in the events that transpired at his festival, there had been a history of questionable decisions that endangered the general public. Unfortunately the tragic events that took place were pretty much expected.

Dope

They way they treat veterans is not "the worst shirlt ever", the worst is how they treat the people of the country's the invade. Look up "u.s. military child rape policy in Afghanistan" and read the NY Times article among others about it because it describes that the u.s. military has a policy of not stopping child-rape-slavery if the rapist is an ally of the U.S. Not to mention the genocide and forced-starvation in Yemen.

Let's see CAGE in the future

KRS is hardcore... Lately tight.. boom bap. War rap..* wether he likes that label or not.. good to skateboard to too

R.a. gave props to bizz on vladd a few ago. And they argued about. Love to see him give him his flowers before he passed away

53:50 😂SOIA NYC "crazy white boy..track

You just absorb tons of knowledge regarding hip hop with this podcast

Catching the stump 😂

Fantastic interview uproxx, I agree about the white rapper conversation, and RA please do another movie with Frank henenlotter, and f just singles some of us live for album records