Entertainment

Rugz D. Bewler

Just a few years ago, it was hard to imagine any one entering the music world and bringing something new and profound.  We had a few one-hitter quitters but nothing substantial enough to withstand the test of time.  Que in Rugz D. Bewler.  Hailing from Harlem USA, this new comer is hardly a novice.  From feature films to headlining concerts, Rugz D. Bewler has something to say.  Contrary to his name, this duder takes NO days off, making him our NEXT.

1. What’s your AMMO? (What’s your inspiration)?

My twin daughters—Syeema and Siyassa Mathis. They challenge me more to be a father and an artist at the same time. I have to be a role model and still be myself as an artist, which is challenging. Inspiration is a challenge.

2. Where did it all start? Meaning your music career?

I would say performing at a good friend of mine’s birthday party, which seemed to me more of an event because of the turnout. Other known artists were there, and here I am being told that I had hot music but have never performed in front of such a large crowd. After my performance a few people walked up to me and gave me their business cards and requested me to be on their shows, in their magazines, etc., and to have my manager contact them. At the time I had no management, nor no real team supporting me. But for those people to believe that I was that dope and already an established artist showed me that I should pursue this.

3. The name, Rugz D. Bewler, break down the origin?

Basically I was known as D-Rugz in Harlem and I took that name from Cam’ron’s song titled, “D Rugs,” off his first album Confessions of Fire. But I noticed that many others had the same rap name. As I started to take my career serious I felt the name, D-Rugz, limited my range and style as an artist. Instead of saying my whole name, D-Rugz, my close friends would say, Rugzy or Rugz, and one of my favorite movies of all-time was Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. So what I did was reverse D-Rugz to Rugz D. and added the name Bueller but with a different spelling (Bewler). It was strange because I thought I was like him in school. Plus, the name was catchy, it was cool, and it was me.

4. In terms of the music industry, what would you say is your lane?

The industry would probably call it hipster rap or backpack rap but I would honestly say it has become to be where there are no lanes, just open space and opportunity. And hopefully you can create your own lane. But honestly I think I’m bigger than what is overly thought of me.

5. Explain your involvement with Dame Dash.

It’s weird because at a time I interned for Dame Dash at Roc-A-Fella/Dame Dash Music Group, which is where I met my manager, before Bewler was even a thought. Now here it is we’re all making music and doing business together, doing the thing we really love. One day my brother told me that Jim Jones, who is a close friend and mentor of mine, was looking for artists and that I should come by the studio and let him hear some of my stuff. Mind you, I’ve been around Jim for years, since his first album On My Way To Church, and not once did I ever tell Jim I rapped. He figured I always wanted to be an A&R. I eventually went down to the studio to go work with one of his artists, Lady H. So out of nowhere Jim says, “play me some of your music.” I played him my song “Just Bewler,” in which the first line states, “first Dip-Set breaks up.” After listening to five cuts off my project, he smirks and says, “Why you ain’t never tell me you rhyme?” Next thing he did was call Dame to tell him that he has somebody that fits the style of music Dame was working with. Plus my manager, who knew Dame while growing up in Harlem reached out to Dame maybe a day earlier in reference to me. So the combination of my manager making the initial contact with Dame about me, and then getting a co-sign from Jim led to our current working relationship.

6. Bewler’s Day Off?  When is the mixtape dropping and who are some of the people on the project with you?

Bewler’s Day Off will definitely be out either late February or early March. I have a few up-and-coming producers such as Neo (aka, ASAP), Nerve, A.P., Decu, and Mike Cash. As far as familiar artists and producers I have Skotch Davis, Stalley, Outasight, 6th Sense, and legendary producer, Ski Beatz, whose known for his work with Jay-Z (Reasonable Doubt) and Camp-Lo (Uptown Saturday Night).

7. Some people may recognize you from your role in Finding Forrester.  How was it working on that movie?

It was a life changing experience. I got to see what the Hollywood life looks like for a bit and got to experience the politics that comes with this business. But I always knew that I’d be on the big screen.

8. Is acting your Plan B or are you pursuing it with the same steam as your music career?

To be honest, I was doing music before I was acting. It just so happened that I was discovered through acting. I wouldn’t call it a plan because it’s a part of me and it feels so natural to do. My life is a movie and my character is something worth watching.

9. If you could compare yourself to any influential person of our generation, who would it be?

I admire and look up to a lot of people but there isn’t a comparison. There’s no one like me.

10.  What’s next for Rugz D. Bewler?

My upcoming mixtape, Bewler’s Day Off, and Ski Beatz’s compilation album 24 Hour Karate School. In March I’m headed out to Austin, Texas for their annual South By Southwest (SXSW) music festival, followed by a trip to Japan for shows and talks of a denim line. I’m also working on an independent album called Sex, Sounds & Smoke.

Check out more from Rugz D. Bewler here.

- Crystal Hines

Photographer: Ashley Sky Walker

Stylist: Javon Drake

Credits:

Photo 1: Skirt, Timo Weiland; Trench, Johnny Love.

Photo 2: Hoodie, Johnny Love.

Photo 3: Shirt, Shipley & Halmos; Jacket, Johnny Love.

Photo 4: Watch, Alpina.