Rassy Bugatti on 'Million Dollar Fugitive' & Being Incarcerated with Cousin Drakeo the Ruler
Life dealt Rassy Bugatti a harsh hand from the onset. When he was just a toddler, Rassy’s father was murdered, leaving behind a child to be raised by his mother, grandmother, and older brother. That elder brother impressed dreams of music and street ties upon Rassy, who began rapping by his teens. Using a play on his middle name, the “Bugatti” was a product of the lavish life that Rassy experienced in the streets. “As a youngin’, I was doing everything big,” he says of six-figure cash stacks, solid gold watches, and shifting foreign cars long before he had a legal driver’s license.
A group of his friends around the neighborhood that included cousin Drakeo the Ruler, Ketchy the Great, and Ralfy the Plug leveraged their respect in the street to music. “We were just young n*ggas that were out there doing our thing, as far as getting money, that also happened to rap.” The DIY collective built a studio and launched solo careers, each supporting the next. “Sorry Sussie,” a Drakeo collaboration, became Rassy’s standout. The 2015 Stinc Team release was a street-stuck love letter to a grabbing beat and catchy chorus. Bugatti’s melodic voice, inventive lingo, and conversational delivery popped on his debut song.
However, just as music was taking off for Rassy Bugatti, life in the streets caught up. “Sorry Sussie” was recorded while the rapper was on $1 million bail to an arrest that quickly followed a 25-month sentence for burglary and weapons convictions. Despite a seven-figure reason to appear before a judge, Rassy fled—prompting widespread news coverage of the rap hopeful on the run. In 2016, the law caught up with him, leading to his ongoing bid, which he hopes will end in 2022 thanks to Proposition 57.
We were blessed with the opportunity to speak with Rassy Bugatti over the LA's Men's Central Jail phone, where he is currently incarcerated with his cousin Drakeo the Ruler. During the interview, we learned more about how Rassy got his start rapping, his relationship with Drakeo the Ruler, how he's been spending his time locked up and his upcoming project, "Million Dollar Fugitive". Tap in below.
For everyone unfamiliar, how did you get your start in Hip Hop?
I started rapping from just chilling with my friends in the studio. Didn’t really have an immediate interest to rap, but it just came into play after numerous hangouts with my friends really.
When did you know you wanted to focus on music full time?
Well, after rapping as a hobby for some time, I put some thought into developing the skill, and I just decided to see what I can do with it as a career.
Who were some of your favorite artists to listen to while growing up?
I listened to Cash Money heavy growing up. From Lil Wayne, to Juvenile, to B.G., to Hot Boys.
What some people might not know is your cousin is Drakeo The Ruler. What’s your relationship like with him?
We’ve always been close growing up, we’re even close now seeing that we’re locked up together. We shared a cell before, but now he’s on the other side of the [prison] yard.
So, you have a new single out now, “Lane Switch’n”, produced by legendary LA producer, Ron Ron. How did you two start working together?
We have mutual friends, so we had to meet at some point. When I was developing my rapping, I’d be around him and we share ideas together. From there, we just started working together.
Whose idea was it to record your raps over the jail phone?
It was my idea at first, then it was mutually shared with the homies. Sometimes they’d hit the studio and call me, then I’d spit some bars over the phone during a session. It’s a lot of trial and error, but we get it done despite the current situation.
Aside from writing, how have you been spending your time while incarcerated?
I’ve been working on getting my mind right, exercising, and talking to my family on the phone.
So, the release of your debut mixtape, “Million Dollar Fugitive” is right around the corner. What type of content can we expect?
You can expect a lot of street content, a glimpse of my lifestyle, and I share my experiences. For most of the project, it’s just me and Drakeo The Ruler going in. I have this track on there called, “Automatic” that’s a banger. I know you all will love it, and I got more projects to follow up this tape.
Where do you see yourself and your career 5 years from now?
I see my name getting bigger, I might go Pop [chuckles]. But overall, I want to be able to touch more people with the music, make a few hits, and go more places because of them.
Anything else we should know before you go?
I just want to let the world know that LA is still the place to be. Many artists come over and steal the drip, but we’re the originators of a lot of things. Respect us!
