R.A. Thorburn, better known by his stage name
R.A. the Rugged Man, is an American
rapper. He began his music career at age 12, building a reputation locally for his lyrical skills. After a nine-label bidding war for his services, R.A. signed to major label
Jive Records at age 18. Eventually R.A. and the label parted ways. His first album,
Night of the Bloody Apes, was never released.