What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
A reference to James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, two hugely influential pop culture figures that died tragically young.
Open the door, see the White Trash Army R.A. The Rugged Man – Casanova (Fly Guy)
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Port Jefferson is a village in Long Island, New York and the place where R.A used to reside. Around 57% of the people there, are white.
Fuck shit ass bitch your mother's dick shit
That's when it all started R.A. The Rugged Man – Casanova (Fly Guy)
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
A reference to rapper Just-Ice, who embraced the hardcore rap sound back when it was still developing, and the intro in his song “The Original Gangster of Hip Hop”. That song was recorded in 1987, and Rugged Man started rocking the same sound like a year later, making him the first white rapper to do it, as he stated in the previous lines.
You play the background, like Casanova Rud R.A. The Rugged Man – Casanova (Fly Guy)
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
When you’re spitting with R.A., you know you’ll just get outshined — you can’t be compared to R.A., because he’s one of the best.
This is a reference to one half of the early hip-hop duo Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud, who usually had the lesser role of the two.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
That's bullshit, I'm a underground rap veteran R.A. The Rugged Man – Brawl
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Another lyric looking at the possibilities he had during that 90’s era, but R.A. argues that he’s happy having stayed true to himself and respects his status in the underground. Similar to what he spits on “Chains”:
They say “Rugged, by now you should have at least blown”
It’s funny, I’m mad famous for being unknown
He still remains the “king of the underground”.
The mainstream motherfuckers, trying to hide my shit R.A. The Rugged Man – Brawl
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Referring to the shitty mid 90’s period of his career when his album was shelved and he lost his record deal. The album Die, Rugged Man, Die was his first proper album.
The “mainstream motherfuckers” represents the people who tried to change his style in the mid 90’s and the rappers who he thinks sold out to sell records during this period.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
In 1995-96, R.A was homeless for a short period of time — after dropping from Jive Records with no album out, he had to move back in with his father shortly after. Bu, R.A. was using his homelessness as an excuse to get free meals — he gets the best out of every situation.
Fun fact: R.A. was also homeless for one day during his childhood. He spoke about it in an interview with Vice.
My father was a strict man and I broke a window once, and I came home like, “Oh you see this stuff? This box? Put your stuff in it.” I was like “Okay daddy.” My dad was scary, he knew how to fight, he was a tough Vietnam Veteran, and he was my father so I was scared. So I put my stuff in the box, I’m outta here. I was sleeping around in the neighborhood and shit like that. There wasn’t cell phones at the time, beepers were just getting started, but I had a little pay phone, with quarters. I used to rap for the kids for change for the phone. It was some funny times.
