About Me
THE STORY OF RUINZ...
Growing up in a Philadelphia household of first generation Black Muslims, Taji Ali does not recall exuberant foot stomping gospel Sundays, souls train lines, or bumping and grinding backyard barbecues, and family reunions. Instead, Taji remembers the old wooden radio sitting on the windowsill of his parents bedroom whose dial only moved from 97.1 (the Philadelphia jazz station) when the owners were out for the night and he and his five siblings where playing where they were not supposed to be. But even without those stolen sounds, he had been hearing music. Strangely, it was most probably his deprivation of music that spawned Taji's fascination and long time love affair with the art form.
After the way was paved by his five older brothers and sisters so that listening to popular music out loud was no longer a sin, Taji incorporated the indiscriminate tastes of a boy just looking for something to move to and found that he had manifested a unique lyrical style that combined hip hop, rock, classical, folk, blues, and of course his father..s favorite--jazz.
Armed with a binder full of organized lyrics, at age 15, Taji got two of his producer friends, both about 5 years his senior, and formed the hip-hop group "Powerful Impact". He and his group met with several local managers and industry representatives. Fueled by this interest, the group made their way to a studio to record their first demo which was financed through the support of Taji's ever evolving parents. Their only stipulation was that he not allow himself to be swayed by the media..s taste but to let his own heart be heard through his work. Armed with integrity, drive, and true passion, Powerful Impact was on its way.
A few years were spent shopping their demo to industry folk who either tried to split him from the group with promises of a solo contract or who offered deals that would leave Powerful Impact with a small percentage of the potential profits. Although Taji was determined to move forward despite the obstacles, he was unable to convince his partners and the group eventually split. Unwilling to give up on his dream, he decided to go at it alone. But he needed beats.
After being faced with the disappointing reality that quality beats would put a costly hole in his pockets, he amassed enough savings to purchase equipment in order to try his own hand at producing. Starting out with a synthesizer keyboard and sampler, he dove in head first and picked up the craft quickly. It was in this element that he felt most comfortable, able to create the perfect music to put to the rhymes he had written. Just as he began to set his groove, a close high school friend, Andre Mapp, was inspired by Taji's endeavors and developed an interest in creating and showcasing his musical ability as well. They quickly joined forces setting up a makeshift studio in a small back room in Taji..s house. The journey wasn't easy. In some of their earlier trials you might hear the duo rapping right over a Scott Le Rock cut with KRS still being heard in the background. All of their spare time away from their high school and undergraduate studies was spent in that room cranking out beats and lyrics. They went through countless name changes, and trash bags full of bad tracks, but they were persistent and dedicated. They eventually found their legs, and cut a demo CD they were proud of.
Taji took to the streets shopping their work. As people took notice, he saw the cycle that had plagued Powerful Impact repeating itself. It was then that he made his next ambitious move, deciding that the only way to maintain the independence he and Mapp had developed was to market their product themselves. And finally they found their name--"Rarebreed". Still, there were more trials. Rarebreed was never able to solidify a product because as they continuously added and deleted group members, there were only ever 2 constants: Taji and Mapp. Suddenly, age was becoming a factor, and Taji realized it might be time to look out for himself, so he packed his bags and made off for New York, where he spent time shopping his beats, doing internships, and getting to know more about the industry. He also spent a brief moment in the Carolinas, where he discovered an entirely different kind of passion for hip hop that reminded him of how it was when he first started out.
Eventually, Taji returned to Philly. When he did, his ever loyal friend was there, ready to pick up where they had left of. Taji, no longer as passionate about rhyming as he used to be, decide to look for that one emcee that he could produce and turn into a superstar. All the while, people kept telling him that he should just feature himself as that emcee, because he wouldn't find anyone better than he was. Convinced that he was finished with the rap game, though, he ignored those suggestions. But after a while of several unsuccessful attempts to find an artist he could believe in, he conceded, and began spitting again. To his surprise, he found the passion was still there, and because of his trials and tribulations, he now had a story to tell that made his rhymes more compelling than ever.
By this time, the hip hop game had gone through several changes, as had the world. And Taji and Andre were at a point where they no longer felt a need to seek the approval of record labels. It was now all about what they wanted. It was all about the love. About the fun. And about sending the world a message that needed to be heard in such trivial times, a message that the music industry seemed to be less and less concerned with promoting. With production as his bread and butter, and his rejuvenated passion for rhyming, Taji founded a group called "Tha Breed" that included Mapp and two other like-minded artists, all at the same pivotal points in their careers. After years of hard work, Taji found his niche. Still a kid to some, he has always been committed to questioning what goes unquestioned. Seeking success on a new level, one that transcends the boundaries that separate the underground from popular hip-hop. Using honesty and integrity as revolutionary tools. Determined to make it on his own terms. He is now Ruinz, a name that represents tragedy and triumph. Ruinz sees himself as a reminder of what hip hop was and is, an art form capable of changing the world. He remains. Ready to tear down walls.
