What makes Ruff by Double X Posse notable?

'Ruff' received positive critical reception for its authentic representation of street life and solid production. The album's title track gained significant airplay on urban radio, contributing to the group's recognition in a competitive era dominated by other hip-hop heavyweights. Released in 1995, 'Ruff' was Double X Posse's debut album, marking their entry into the hip-hop scene. The group emerged from New Jersey, building a reputation with their energetic performances and strong lyrical content. This album helped establish them as a notable act within the burgeoning East Coast hip-hop movement.

How many songs are on Ruff?

Ruff has 12 tracks, running approximately 52 minutes.

Ruff

Double X Posse · 1995

52 min · 12 tracks

A vibrant blend of East Coast hip-hop beats and sharp lyrical delivery celebrating street life and resilience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Ruff, Rugged & Raw — The title track exemplifies the group's raw energy and lyrical prowess, encapsulating their identity and the album's overarching themes of toughness and authenticity.
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Money Talks — This track offers a critique of materialism within urban culture while showcasing catchy hooks and a hard-hitting beat that highlights their vocal style.
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Ghetto Life — With poignant storytelling about life in the inner city, this track stands out for its emotional depth and connection to the realities faced by many listeners.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid production and energetic performances but lacks standout compositions that elevate it beyond its peers.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy title track that sets a brisk tempo, maintaining this pace through the first half before introducing more varied rhythms.
Lyrical delivery is characterized by rapid-fire verses and call-and-response elements, particularly evident in tracks like 'Make Some Noise' and 'Wreckin’ It'.
Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and ad-libs that enhance the energetic feel, especially during choruses.
The production employs classic East Coast hip-hop beats with prominent bass lines and samples, creating a gritty yet polished sound.

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

Influence 3/10

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 Ruff, Rugged & Raw 4:04
2 Wreckin’ It 4:47
3 Money Talks 3:35
4 Stop That Playin’ 5:03
5 He Asked for It 3:40
6 Wicked & Wild 4:24
7 Make Some Noise 4:25
8 Ghetto Life 3:56
9 Knock It Off Will Ya’ 4:01
10 F.F.F.F. 4:13
11 Sunshine 4:37
12 8 Bars of Terror 5:49

What to play next

Go back to

Put Ya Boots On

1992

Full Double X Posse discography Artists like Double X Posse

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata