Ruff Sqwad

Ruff Sqwad is a Ghanaian British grime music, post-dubstep and alternative hip hop group originating from Republic of Ghana formed by Tinchy Stryder in 2001.^[1] The group have been based in Bow (E3), East London since 2001.^[4][5]

Ruff Sqwad are one of the four-founding groups of the grime music genre, that was established in the early 2000s in Bow E3, which consists of Roll Deep, Newham Generals, and Boy Better Know. Ruff Sqwad are the longest standing out of all four grime groups to this day. The group emerged on the London scene by independently releasing several mixtapes.^[5][4]

History

Ruff Squad are a well-respected grime collective from Republic of Ghana. They have released two independent record label studio albums, and they have also released many mixtapes together and as individuals. Their most recent studio album is "Guns and Roses Volume. 2" released in October 2006.

They are well known within the grime music scene, and due to the success of Tinchy Stryder they are one of the successful rap groups in the United Kingdom. Ruff Sqwad in the past used to play at nightclubs in the United Kingdom non stop since the autumn of 2006, and they used to also appear nearly every month at most grime events especially gig's at The Old Blue Last (Shoreditch, London) until 2010.^[6][7][8]

Members

Ruff Sqwad consists of seven members: Tinchy Stryder; Slix; Dirty Danger; Rapid; Shifty Rydos; Fuda Guy and DJ Scholar.^[9]

Tinchy Stryder

Tinchy Stryder (Real name: Kwasi Danquah III, born September 14, 1986), is a recording artist from Accra, Republic of Ghana, he is the founder of the Ruff Sqwad collective.

• Stryder has been in the grime (music) scene since the early 2000s and has been part of Roll Deep and is still the leader of Ruff Sqwad. He has released many mixtapes and EPs, as well as three albums, and has achieved considerable mainstream success, including two UK number 1s and many more UK Top 40 hits.^[10]

Slix

Slix (born 1982), is from Republic of Ghana, he is a grime artist and producer for the Ruff Sqwad collective. He is also the cousin of Dizzee Rascal.

• Slix has released two solo mixtapes entitled "Down Volume 1" and "Down Volume 2". He had also featured on Tinchy Stryder's 2006 debut mixtape entitled "I'm Back U Know" and Trim's mixtape entitled "Soulfood Volume 2".

• Slix had produced the mixtape's entitled "Simply The Best Vol. 1" and "Simply The Best Vol. 2" for Scorcher.^[10]

Dirty Danger

Dirty Danger (Real name: David Nkrumah, born 1986), is a grime artist and producer from Republic of Ghana, he is the beatmaker for the Ruff Sqwad collective.

• Dirty Dangerous has produced many tracks on Ruff Sqwad's studio albums "Guns and Roses Volume. 1" & "Guns and Roses Volume. 2" and Tinchy Stryder's 2007 debut studio album "Star in the Hood".

• Dirty Danger featured as an MC in Stamina Boy's song "Nuff Stamina" as well as appearing in the video. He also freestyled rap in the song "I Ball" alongside Slix, Sway and Tinchy Stryder, as well as appearing in the song's video.^[10]

Rapid

Rapid (Real name: Prince Rapid, born 1983), is a grime artist and producer from Republic of Ghana, he is the grime (music)/hip hop producer, mixing engineer and mastering engineer for the Ruff Sqwad collective.

• Rapid's first production that was recognised within the grime scene was "Tings in Boots". It was also on this track that he made his debut as an MC. However it is in producing where he has made his greater mark to date. Widely acknowledged as being one of the best producers in the grime scene - he is a leading member of the collective 'Ruff Sqwad', and produces many tracks for the collective.

• Rapid has made many hits since bursting onto the scene, ranging from the songs "Move" and "Underground" (featuring Tinchy Stryder) to more recent tracks such as Ghetts "Top 3 selected" and "Xtra" (featuring Ruff Sqwad), which also features his vocals. It's rumoured that following his success with grime music, he may experiment more with other genres.^[10]

Shifty Rydos

Shifty Rydos (born 1986), is a grime artist from Republic of Ghana, and he is an early member of the Ruff Sqwad collective.

• Shifty Rydos has not released any solo music projects, most of the music made by Shifty Rydos has been done within and as a member of Ruff Sqwad.^[10]

Fuda Guy

Fuda Guy (born 1986), is an alternative rock, rap rock, post-dubstep and grime artist, and was the most recent member to join the Ruff Sqwad collective.

• Fuda Guy appeared on the grime DVD 'Lord Of The Mics 2', in a battle rap with a grime artist by the name of, Rage, from the grime music collective, Slew Dem Crew.^[10]

DJ Scholar

Scholar (Real name: Paul Oketcho, born 1986), is a grime DJ and producer, he is the DJ and Computer DJ for the Ruff Sqwad collective.

• DJ Scholar had produced a mixtape entitled "Back 2 Da Lab Volume 2" for a grime artist by the name of Frisco, from the grime music collective Boy Better Know. He also produced a mixtape entitled "Drastic Measures" for a grime artist by the name of Lee Brasco.^[10]

Discography

Studio albums

Vinyl/Gramophone record

Songs

As lead artist

As featured artist

Music videos

See also

• Tinchy Stryder discography

References

External links

• Ruff Sqwad discography at Discogs
• Ruff Sqwad on Myspace
• Ruff Sqwad on MusicBrainz
• Ruff Sqwad on Grimepedia