RUCIANO stopped by our headquarters this week to take the hot seat for this edition of Straight Official Sit Downs. The New York MC chopped it up with SOMag’s own @klassikceo and you can check out their one-on-one down below! Be sure to check out more Straight Official Sit Downs by clicking here.
Q&A WITH RUCIANO
What is your Name? Where are you from and what first got you interested in the entertainment industry?
My name is Ruciano otherwise known as Brooklyn’s Aquaman and I’m from Atlantis. What first got me interested in entertainment is of course the legends like BIG, Eminem, and Jay-Z. But I truly wouldn’t be here without my godbrother pushing me to take rhyming serious. It was something that I use to just play around with as a kid but he was always the one to tell me to take it serious. And so I did.
Who and/or what inspires you to create?
Sometimes its just me inspiring myself because imagination and the tongue is a powerful source. Other times I choose to let life’s experiences inspire me. That would be family, close friends, my surroundings, things of that nature.
THE CREATIVE PROCESS
How would you describe your sound?
There is no limitation to my sound. Sometimes I’m mad so the beat is more aggressive, my wordplay is fierce, and I’m coming off mad abrasive and because I speak my mind Im confident. But then I could totally switch my sound and give you a body of work that can relate to any situation. My sound is camouflage in my eyes, it just blends in with everything.
What is your creative process like?
The creative process behind the project was real straightforward. I’ve been doing this Aquaman thing for a while my label, P.U.R.E Records Music, played off that and got me connected with producer J Clyde and it was up from there. With them I got to morph my sound into something I wasn’t use to. It was challenging at first but once we were able to create a new sound it became natural and I’m just proud to be a part of it all. The title is a spin-off from a comic book but it is also opening up to the world letting them know I’m coming in on a new wave and I’m here to stay.
What artist(s) would you like to collaborate with?
I’d be willing to collaborate with just about anyone creatively. I’m all about making a good song while still keeping my integrity as an MC. Some people I’d like to work with for sure would be Lil Durk, Lil Baby, Weezy, and many others in any genre. Some producers would be DJ Premier, Metro-boom, Mustard, Alchemist or Timbaland and many more.
SHIFTING GEARS
What is one message you would give to your supporters?
I would first like to first thank them for believing in me and sticking around for the process. Whether you were here from the beginning or you’re just starting right now. Secondly I would like to tell them to not let their situation make them. A lot of people face hard times and think it’s over—it’s never over until God says it’s over and that’s a fact. Hard work and consistency really does pay off but it’s up to you to take initiative.
What is the most talent/skill you have that most people don’t know about?
Most people don’t know this but I was actually really interested in playing basketball at one time. I use to play a lot in my free time but before I could even try out for a team I got shot at 17 and things changed. Ma Dukes wasn’t haven’t it and that solidified me not being able to play anymore.
What would you be doing right now, if you weren’t doing music?
If I could I would’ve really wanted to play sports but since I can’t I’d probably be working a regular 9-5. Maybe even dabbling in fashion on the side.
Who are some artists/people you admire and why?
I honestly admire anyone who overcomes adversity. People like Jay-Z and Michael Jackson who were real people who faced a real harsh life. Jay-Z with being in the streets and MJ in paving the way for black people in entertainment while trying to overcome childhood trauma. Despite all that was against them they still manage to come out on top and most of all be true to themselves, all through art. I too would like to be able to capture that and reflect it in any ongoing or future projects.
IN CLOSING
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Two things, and they actually contradict another. “Do it out of love” and “Follow your mind and not your heart” . This speaks to me because character is everything. I’m a humanitarian and a lover at heart, it’s free to give compassion and I wish people did it more. As for the second advice it’s really a precaution—yes it’s great to do things out of love but make sure you’re protecting your heart as well. Make sure you’re using your mind to work with your heart, not against.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
I would take the ego out of the industry. I feel like there’s too many people worried about what the next person has, or who has the biggest house with the biggest garage that they forgot what music, or hip hop specifically, is for. It’s suppose to be fun, relatable, and most of all a voice for the voiceless. All the rap beef, senseless deaths, and everything else isn’t what the industry should be about.
What’s next for you? Where would you like to see yourself in the next year?
What’s next is more music, more projects, more collabs, and more performances. If people thought I was done, I was barely getting started. Since the release of The Becoming EP I’ve received nothing but positive feed back and it’s just motivating me to want to go harder and do more. Not only for my supporters and my team but for myself because I know I can. Simple as that.
What is your social media? How can people get in contact with you?
The people can reach me on social media @ruciano_ I’m on Instagram, Twitter, Spotify, Apple Music, and other music platforms. While you’re following me make sure you check out my music and follow my record label’s page @pure_records_music. Thank you all for your time!
