What makes All My Heroes Are Dead by R.A. the Rugged Man notable?

The album received critical acclaim for its raw authenticity and thought-provoking content, debuting at number 11 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. Its exploration of themes like mortality and legacy resonated with fans and critics alike, showcasing R.A.'s lyrical prowess while contributing to ongoing conversations about mental health in the hip-hop community. All My Heroes Are Dead marks R.A. the Rugged Man's first full-length release in over a decade, following 2013's Legends Never Die. By this point, he had established himself as an underground icon known for his complex rhymes and unfiltered narratives, solidifying his status in hip-hop after several years of sporadic releases and collaborations.

How many songs are on All My Heroes Are Dead?

All My Heroes Are Dead has 22 tracks, running approximately 75 minutes.

All My Heroes Are Dead

R.A. the Rugged Man · 2020

75 min · 22 tracks · hip-hop

A vivid blend of gritty lyricism, eclectic samples, and sharp storytelling that reflects personal and societal struggles.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Legendary Loser — This track encapsulates the album's theme of overcoming adversity while embracing one's flaws, blending personal narrative with sharp social commentary.
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Angel Boy — In 'Angel Boy,' R.A. contrasts childhood innocence with harsh realities, using vivid imagery to explore themes of vulnerability and resilience.
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Hate Speech — 'Hate Speech' serves as a bold critique of societal issues, employing aggressive delivery to highlight injustices and challenge listeners' perspectives.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong lyricism and production but has some pacing issues due to its length and skits.

What we noticed

The album opens with a spoken-word introduction that sets a reflective tone, followed by tracks that alternate between aggressive beats and introspective lyrics.
Several tracks feature abrupt transitions, such as 'Cancelled Skit' and 'John John Skit', which disrupt the flow but add a layer of narrative complexity.
The use of eclectic samples is prominent, with each track incorporating diverse musical elements that enhance the storytelling aspect of the lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 All My Heroes Are Dead (The Introduction) 2:32
2 Legendary Loser 4:20
3 Golden Oldies 3:31
4 Wondering (How to Believe) 4:01
5 Dragon Fire 4:35
6 All Systems Go 3:21
7 Cancelled Skit 0:23
8 Angelic Boy 4:14
9 Gotta Be Dope 3:21
10 First Born 4:31
11 E.K.N.Y. (Ed Koch New York) 3:17
12 Hate Speech 4:17
13 Living Through a Screen (Everything Is a Lie) 3:46
14 Contra‐Dictionary 3:25
15 The Slayers Club 4:25
16 Life of the Party 4:20
17 The Big Snatch 4:06
18 John John Skit 0:12
19 Who Do We Trust? 3:55
20 Malice of Mammon 3:52
21 Sean riP (interlude) 0:40
22 The After Life 4:47

What to play next

Go back to

Legends Never Die

2013

Full R.A. the Rugged Man discography Artists like R.A. the Rugged Man

gangsta rap hardcore hip-hop hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata