The Ruby Kid is a UK hip-hop artist and spoken-word poet based in London, originally from Nottingham and associated with Sheffield. His work sits within spoken word, rap, political hip-hop and abstract hip-hop, and he draws on American independent hip-hop as well as a strongly left-wing political outlook.

Background

The Ruby Kid begins recording in 2007 after moving to Sheffield to study English Literature at university. Before that, he spends his teenage years balancing hip-hop listening with anti-capitalist political activism, taking part in trade union and working-class campaigns. He develops a local profile in Sheffield, where the city’s music scene is largely dominated by indie rock and bassline-influenced grime and garage, and he stands out for a more leftfield and radical approach.

His background also includes roots in New York’s Jewish community. Outside music, he works part-time for the socialist newspaper Solidarity and as a fencing coach in clubs and schools around London.

Releases and recording

His first release is the free five-track demo La Manif, which brings him attention in the local music press. He follows it with the Winter In The City EP, released at Sheffield’s Fuzz Club in 2009, and later with Maps, produced by Dan Angell and released in 2010.

Live work and collaborations

The Ruby Kid performs regularly in Sheffield and elsewhere in the UK, including benefit gigs, DIY events and festival appearances. He appears at Sheffield’s Tramlines Festival in 2009 and 2010, and performs at venues in Sheffield, London and Nottingham. Early live dates include packed shows at Sheffield’s The Plug alongside Wiley and Skepta, with audiences of more than 800.

He often performs with his live backing band Black Jacobins. He also shares bills with Jehst, Micall Parknsun, Kate Tempest, Dirty Revolution, Babar Luck, Toddla T, Master Shortie, Kid Acne, Rodney P, Themselves and Anti-Pop Consortium. In 2010 he tours the UK with Al Baker & The Dole Queue, playing in Manchester, Leeds, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Nottingham and London.

Style and reception

His music is linked with American independent hip-hop, with Aesop Rock, El-P and Atmosphere named among his influences. Early responses to La Manif compare him with Bob Dylan and Allen Ginsberg, and Maps prompts further unusual comparisons, including to Albert Einstein and Edward Hopper.

Politics

Political activism remains central to his public profile. He is involved in working-class and anti-capitalist campaigns across the UK, and tweets from the Millbank student protests are featured in The Guardian and on CNN.