R.A. Thorburn, better known as R.A. the Rugged Man, is a emcee from Suffolk County, New York on Long Island. He began his music career at age 12, and, at 18, was subject to a 9 label bidding war including Def Jam, Mercury, Tommyboy, Warner Bros., eventually signing with Jive Records as part of the group Crustified Dibbs, a vehicle for R.A. and producer Marc Niles (Nigga Niles). Due to his violent personality and certain sexual harassment lawsuits filed against him, R.