In an era when critics and rappers themselves jump to declare the death of hip hop, 21 year-old Adrian Ruffin also known as Ruff or RalphLaurenRuff has been breathing new life into the genre through incredible wordplay, a fresh sound steeped in the Southern Hip Hop scene, and boundless on-stage energy. Listening to artists such as J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco, and Wale (who is his favorite); you can hear the impact they have on his music. Many have stated that his lyrics and delivery remind them of Lupe Fiasco or Wale.
The Star and The Student, the highly anticipated debut mixtape of Hip Hop’s rising artist Ruff, is a must listen. The Rock Hill, SC native is the new voice of the rising city and is beginning to stand out as he strives to not be "just another local rapper ". This guy simply raps from the heart, true hip hop if I've ever heard it. With popular tracks like "Addicted to Spending", which was awarded Top Hip Hop Single at the TRB Underground Awards 2010, Ruff definitely has a chance to take music for this rising city in a new direction.