Mood Ruff was a conscious hip-hop group hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The group consisted of Odario, Spitz, Breakz, and ICQRI. Their final album I Do My Own Stunts, was released in 2005, contained their first hit, "Rocketship".Odario and Spitz, met at Kelvin High School in Winnipeg. In the early 1990s the two members started recording their first demos on a karaoke machine in Spitz?s basement. They first started playing their music live in 1994, in small clubs around Toronto. ?We were playing at this club called the 360 in Toronto and there were all of nine people there, five of which were from Winnipeg" says Odario about one of their very first live shows. They also toured with punk and funk bands.Their first hit was a single called "No Hooks" which received heavy rotation on Canada's Much Music video station and gained them national awareness. Their first album, Night.Live.Types, was released in 1999. The album was followed closely by their sophomore release, Politic Different. Both albums received positive reviews and did reasonably well in regards to album sales. Their third album, Antarctica (Cold, Cold World), was released in 2002. This album featured ICQRI, the group's first DJ and the newest member of Mood Ruff. The album again received positive reviews, but was unable to achieve any large commercial success.Their fourth and latest album, I Do My Own Stunts, was released in 2005. For this album, Mood Ruff introduced yet another new member, Breakz. I Do My Own Stunts continued the streak of critically acclaimed albums, and it also contained their first commercially successful single, "Rocketship".The group broke up following I Do My Own Stunts, while Odario is currently recording with Grand Analog.
What happens when four masters of each element within hip hop culture unite, each with digs that range from skater through funk through old school rap and b-boy charm?
What equation is necessary to pop a hype and distinctive hip hop presence that has been steadily building for the past few years?
MOOD RUFF, previously nominated for four Prairie Music Awards, two Western
Canadian Music Awards and a Blizzard Award hits us with a new studio album titled I Do My Own Stunts and this release easily answers these questions.
Three national releases from this crew since 1999 have led to the creation of this full length studio album, governed not by trend, but by innovation. Together, these boys smoothly build beyond simple pop formulas and deliver a range of sound with hypnotic dexterity. The members of the Mood Ruff crew include Odario, Spitz, ICQRI and Breakz who collectively share roles as Emcee, B-Boy, DJ and Graf Artist. Representing Peg City, these ?brothers from different mothers? define and refine hip hop punk with solid funk, breaking beats and lyrical skill that inspires. Their unforgettable live show exhibits each of the various elements within hip hop culture seemingly effortlessly, most recently
showcased at SXSW in April this year. They have opened for Public Enemy, k-os, Sum 41, Mix Master Mike, Black Moon ... and have worked with Kemo (Rascalz), Zion I (Oakland), Breeze Eva Flowin (NYC) to name a few choice acts over the span of their career together.
For more information and to stay up to date on the progress and success of this crew, hit up www.moodruff.com