An eclectic five-member hip-hop collaborative based in St. Paul, Minn., Ruthless is a high-energy mix of various rap styles, influences, and inspirations. Consisting of emcees Phatty McGee, MC Rentz, Professor Fresh, Ill P.O.E and accompanied by the unique performance art of the mysterious Just Smoke, the group formed in 2004 as a result of the disbandment of rap groups Lyrical Pedestrianz and Psychosynthetik.

The group released their debut album, Deliciously Vicious, in March 2005 on the independent label Loonatix Productions. Their first effort, which showcased both their unorthodox stylings and their refusal to be labeled, spawned singles, “Taste This Fist,” “GJYEAH!!!,” “Mandy’s Going Through Some Sh*t,” and “Eat Sh!t Bitch.”

A year and a half later, the group followed up with Strawberry in November of 2006. Their sophomore album offered listeners a more refined and polished Ruthless, with a collection of smoother, more developed tracks that were still as original, fun, and genre-bending as their debut. Standouts on Strawberry include “Push,” “Rotten,” and “Time To Burn.”

Ruthless’ original sound is a result both of the group members’ diverse backgrounds and of their laissez-faire approach in the studio. For example, the majority of the production is split between MC Rentz and Professor Fresh, whose similarities might end with their interest in creating beats.

MC Rentz’s father is a professional musician and drummer who bought Rentz a keyboard and drum machine to experiment with when he was 12. He was writing his own lyrics by the time he was 13. To this day, MC Rentz’s father still contributes drums, mandolin, and Aboriginal sounds to Ruthless’ projects.

Professor Fresh, on the other hand, admits he was a band geek during high school, and didn’t care what genre of music he was playing as long as he was playing drums. Classically trained and influenced by everything from Beck and The Doors to Eazy E and the Beastie Boys, Professor Fresh brings an alternative and affable sound to the group and adds to their substantial depth.

While MC Rentz and Professor Fresh both came to hip-hop through their love of percussion, Ill P.O.E.’s interest in music began with the hip-hop culture and sound itself. The result is an added element of edginess and grit to the group.

“I had a cousin about three years older than me and he used to slip me music: Boogie Down Productions, Too Short, NWA,” he said. “I never heard anything like it before. It was huge – the stuff they were saying, and the way they were saying it to a beat that I could get down to. I’ve been listening ever since. I’m attached to hip-hop as a culture and rap as a genre.”

Phatty McGee rounds out the group as the founder of Loonatix Productions and business manager. A hip-hop and rap enthusiast to the core, Phatty grew up listening to rap from both coasts and, very simply, keeps Ruthless real (and running).

After making an impact on the Twin Cities’ hip-hop scene, Ruthless is turning its attention to expanding nationally. In fall of 2006, the group toured the east coast with past labelmates PLC and has performed hundreds of shows from Minnesota to New York including the Twin Cities Celebration of Hip-Hop and the annual Gathering of the Juggalos.

Ruthless is currently back in the studio working on their third album, due out the summer of 2009. Instead of having any clear-cut leader (aside from visual art extraordinaire Just Smoke) the group completes its sound by letting each track develop organically as a collective effort.

“Each song is its own adventure and experience. One starts with a beat, a hook, a feeling, and idea,” explained Professor Fresh. “We’re all friends, and since we’re so musically diverse within ourselves, we can bring a lot to the table but also find a common ground. It’s all or nothing – it’s not like a majority rule, it’s everybody or nobody.”

Outside of their involvement with Ruthless, most of the group members are busy with their own solo efforts, side projects, and collaborations. Listening to each member’s solo efforts make it even more clear how the five fit together as a cohesive group with a unified sound.

MC Rentz recently released his second full-length album 1981, which mixes upbeat party tracks with more personal autobiographical cuts. Rentz also regularly releases volumes of “MC Rentz and Friends” which each showcase Rentz and one other MC. His first album, Atrophy, was released in 2006. 

Professor Fresh also released his solo album, Shaken Not Stirred, in 2006, with his new full-length effort, Fresh Files, due out in fall of 2008. Largely returning to his nerdcore and geeksta rap leanings, Professor Fresh’s new record is an homage to the X-Files and borrows themes and sounds from the late-90s sci-fi show. He is also assisting female rap artist MC ill e. gal with the beats on her first EP.

Ill P.O.E., the self-professed drinking man’s thinking man, has released one full-length album, A Hard Night’s Day, with DJ Shoba. He is also deep into work on his second album, Bleeding Heart Liberation, which he hopes will be a more soulful and more centered effort than his earlier projects. In between larger efforts, Ill P.O.E. produces Verses, sporadic EPs that keep his name around town.

Phatty Mcgee and Loonatix Productions are continuing to keep underground hip-hop fresh and innovative in the Twin Cities – the independent label recently won “Twin Cities’ Best Label” at the Second Annual Twin Cities Hip-Hop Awards and also recently celebrated their fifth anniversary. In April, Loonatix also released Serial MCs Volume 2, its second label compilation.