Juan Martinez Jr., better known as Rucci, was born in 1994 and is a young rap star from North Inglewood, a notorious gang territory in Los Angeles. He survived the death of his father, the deportation of his family and the displacement of his community and now aims to take over the world with his music.

“I don’t like to brag,” Rucci says of his lyrical approach. “I just like showing people what’s going on.” Gangsta rap has long been demonized by those stressing the vulgarity of hit singles, over the agonizing consequences examined on deep cuts. Shrill outsiders key in on “Nuthin’ But a G Thang” but ignore “Lil Ghetto Boy.” Like his stylistic predecessors (Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Westside Connection, Cash Money, Boosie Badazz and Webbie), Rucci artfully hedges Hennessey-swilling, molly-popping bangers with mournful anthems consecrated by the struggle. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.