Rucci

Rucci was raised with Rap dreams, thanks to XXL magazine subscriptions gifted by his mother. His father paved another path for his son in the streets of Inglewood’s Northside and Neighbor Hood Piru (NHP) set. By his teens, the rapper of Salvadoran and Black heritage had formed the MackkRucci duo with respected neighborhood artist Sean Mackk. Their projects garnered strong appeal in the mid-2010s. “Everybody in L.A. started grasping onto who we were,” Rucci recalls. However, in July of 2017, the man born Shawn Ivy was fatally shot. His partner pushed on, donning his label Mackk & Company in tribute. He carries the pain and frequently mourns the loss of his partner, including the somber and heartfelt “Thug Holiday” from 2022’s Dawgsh*t.

Ahead of his prolific 2022, Rucci has blazed a trail with milestone albums, including 2018’s El Perro, 2019’s Tako’s Son, and 2020’s Midget. Rucci’s 2021 G Perico collaboration “Keep Killing” approaches 10 million, while hit songs with Shoreline Mafia, Azchike, and Blxst show range and passion for elevating each other. “I’m trying to cater to all of my fans’ needs and wants.”

That dedication to fans shaped 2022’s plans. “I’d gotten so far away from myself that I wanted to get back to the dog image,” Rucci says, having taken time to spend with his newborn son. “I went to attack full speed ahead.” The “El Perro” who dropped Dawgystyle five years ago returned with hunger and aggression for Back On My Dawg Sh*t, For My Dawgs 2, Dawgsh*t, and Dawgybone. “I was born in the Year of The Dog—1994. He adds that he’s been compared to canines by his mother and exes. The lifelong dog-lover currently has an American Bulldog.

El Perro 2 is inspired by the addition to Rucci’s family. “Now we’ve got another dog. Having my son, the kid in me came back out. I wanted to have fun again after taking life too seriously.” Songs like the Kalan.FrFr-assisted “Tell Ya Friends” bask in carefree West Coast vibes. “B’s Up” brandishes Rucci’s concrete roots, with Jay Rock appearing on the album version of the song. While a proud product of his community, Rucci emphasizes unity—making some of his biggest hits with members from rival areas. “People box me in because of Rucci being a Blood from Inglewood. Little do they know I got respect all over,” says the artist. RJMrLA collaboration “What If” examines the devastating aftermath of Nipsey Hussle’s death and 03 Greedo’s incarceration. Speaking with heart and soul, Rucci works to show that even the biggest of dogs thrive in packs. With much more music on the way in 2023, Rucci doggedly rises as a leader at home and in the rap game.