Spring Break
K-Ruckuss’ Is Causing Much Ruckus
Sean Bogle
Issue date: 10/3/02 Section: VARIETY
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A crowd of more than 500 spectators crowded into a Howard University ballroom Friday night to witness the biggest Hip-Hop competition in the area, Verbal Armageddon. Thirty-two handpicked entertainers performed in the first of a three round series to determine the illest MC in the District. For many of the rappers, the competition is pure fun and games, but for others it provides a solid foundation for a serious career in the ever-growing world of hip-hop music.
After effortlessly defeating a rookie challenger, four-year Verbal Armageddon veteran Keenan “K-Ruckuss” Bates walked off the stage with no fun and games in mind. In a husky voice, K-Ruckuss made a promise to the crowd. “If I don’t win, you can come see me.”
At age 16, Bates started to put together his very first rhymes. Six years later, the alias has changed and the now 22-year-old rapper K-Ruckuss is on the verge of stardom. With his consistent top five rankings in Verbal Armageddon and appearances on local mix tapes, K-Ruckuss successfully made a name for himself far beyond his home campus.
In fall 2000, his raspy, thug-aligned flow initially caught the ear of the CEOs of Nation Wide Takeover (N.W.T.) As one of the first lyricists signed to the rising entertainment group, K-Ruckuss began to gain momentum by appearing on N.W.T.’S first single, “Five Minutes of Fame.” Creating a local buzz he became more focused on controlling his solo potential.
After parting company with N.W.T. in 2001, his involvement with Verbal Armageddon then caught the attention of local rapper/producer Chuck Kendall, a.k.a. Chucky Manson. Kendall, eager to push out hot beats and rhymes, did not hesitate to invite K-Ruckuss to the studio. After months of laying down tracks together, the two emerged from the studio with the full-length studio album, “One Life To Live.”
Even without distribution through a major record label, the album is currently achieving substantial independent success.
After effortlessly defeating a rookie challenger, four-year Verbal Armageddon veteran Keenan “K-Ruckuss” Bates walked off the stage with no fun and games in mind. In a husky voice, K-Ruckuss made a promise to the crowd. “If I don’t win, you can come see me.”
At age 16, Bates started to put together his very first rhymes. Six years later, the alias has changed and the now 22-year-old rapper K-Ruckuss is on the verge of stardom. With his consistent top five rankings in Verbal Armageddon and appearances on local mix tapes, K-Ruckuss successfully made a name for himself far beyond his home campus.
In fall 2000, his raspy, thug-aligned flow initially caught the ear of the CEOs of Nation Wide Takeover (N.W.T.) As one of the first lyricists signed to the rising entertainment group, K-Ruckuss began to gain momentum by appearing on N.W.T.’S first single, “Five Minutes of Fame.” Creating a local buzz he became more focused on controlling his solo potential.
After parting company with N.W.T. in 2001, his involvement with Verbal Armageddon then caught the attention of local rapper/producer Chuck Kendall, a.k.a. Chucky Manson. Kendall, eager to push out hot beats and rhymes, did not hesitate to invite K-Ruckuss to the studio. After months of laying down tracks together, the two emerged from the studio with the full-length studio album, “One Life To Live.”
Even without distribution through a major record label, the album is currently achieving substantial independent success.