I was flipping through the basic cable channels late one recent night when I stumbled across a song called "I’m Broke and Proud" on a public-access station. Check it out below; it’s a real gem (with some NSFW language). I’d honestly never heard of these rappers before in my life — the song is by an NYC dude named Rugged N Raw, featuring New Jersey’s Hasan Salaam — but their hilariously honest lyrics about the not-so-good life caught me instantly. "There’s not a lot I can make possible," spits Rugged N Raw, "only cheap ideas in the arsenal/I’ll take a chick to the museum/Looks nice, and the admission fee’s optional!" Now that’s some real talk. And the video might be even better, with RNR throwing coupons at the camera instead of cash, while hisfriends struggle to push their car up a hill. If nothing else, this definitively proves that it’s still funny to see rap’s conspicuous-consumption conventions upended, à la the Roots’ classic "What They Do."
Pretty great stuff, no? With skills like this, here’s hoping Rugged N Raw doesn’t have to stay too broke too much longer. After all, it’s been three months since Young Jeezy served fair warning that "It’s the recession/Everybody broke." Isn’t it high time the rest of the music world took notice of what’s happening to the economy?
More on pop culture and the economy:
EW suggested recession-oriented plotlines for Gossip Girl, Entourage, and more
PopWatch asked how the economy had affected your entertainment spending
EW gave Young Jeezy’s The Recession a B+ review
Smallville and other shows are already hurting because of the recession
"How will the recession affect Hollywood?" EW wondered…in 1991
Comments (1-17) of 17 Add your comment
Yes, broke rap! Waiting for the resurgence, led by community rap heroes KRS 1, Public Enemy, trailer park aficionado Eminem and left coast’s own broke scholar MC Hammer.
Love it! the Anti-bling rap!
Note to the rappers: Teeth whitener.
what a great song! I just downloaded it off itunes. here’s to hoping that they’ll no longer be broke– just proud
I like this song! I get so sick of hearing about everyone’s chains and Rolexes and Mercedes…you know. By the way, taking a girl to a museum is always a good idea, even when you’ve got money to burn…at least this girl thinks so (yeah, I’m a museum junkie)
rugged n raw is DEFINITELY one of the BEST MC’s out there. ALL of his music is dope! =]
Rugged N Raw is hip hop. His music is honest and easy to relate to, especially in these economic times. There will be more broke and proud folks than baller ballers.
Listen to Life’s Purpose on the album. We want real music! Good music! Look no further!! Rugged N Raw!!!!
Peace to RNR!
The video is awesome!
This song is one of my favorites by RNR. Its humorous and truthful in the same breathe. He’s a very talented MC!!!!
I meant breath!!!!
this is a mammoth record. video dope. emcees dope. overall dopeness.
MCs telling the truth….how existential lol
dope
where can get that
Thank goodness, a song we can relate to. I don’t know about you but I can’t relate to big cars, watches that cost what a down payment for a house is and champagne I can pay my rent with.
This is the song that people are finally noticing Rugged n Raw as a rapper we all been waiting for! check him out at: http://www.myspace.com/ruggednrawrnr
This Music is awesome.. His Whole Cd is banging.. and hot.. please check out the other music as well. Ty DJ Alfy of Akaradio.com
RnR
HES THE BEST!
5th Column
NJ NY THE FUTURE OF THIS MUSIC!