Welcome to In Tha Ruff Records

"Where the Diamond Always Shines"

Artists Bio
According to the dictionary the definition of Kill-Joy is someone who spoils the pleasure of others. That is just what this New York born rapper/producer intends to do. Along with establishing himself as one of the northwest’s premiere artist, KJ is the founder of the up start label In Tha Ruff Records. “All I wanted was to write music” Says KJ. “When I got into this game that’s all I wanted to do, the producer credit slash label came out of necessity. There was no one doing the things I needed to get done, so I did it myself.” This is a testament to his craft that carries over into his constantly growing body of work. Born May 20, 1981 in Staten Island NY, KJ was the product of a military up bringing which sent him from household to household, in search of a place to call home. Clinging to any stability, KJ found his way to the great northwest. Where guided by his passion & love for the rap game, he would start to forge his path into the nonexistent northwest rap scene. KJ was quickly confronted with the cruel facts of this diversity less culture. KJ would then find himself falling victim to many of the traps that the system had set for those seeking a decent life with no jobs or opportunities available. “You can only hustle for so long” Says KJ. “I used to hustle & things were good, but I wanted something more. School was not for me and I had no where else to go, so I joined the Marines”. This decision would make KJ the man he is today. Before this there was no drive, no hunger, no need to be all that he could be. “This Military sh*t put my life in perspective” Say’s KJ. “It helped me realize that I could do anything I wanted, if I put my mind to it”. Now back on that bumpy road of uncertainty KJ found himself in unfamiliar territory once again, leaving what he now called home [Lacey, WA] for the dirty south where KJ would spend three years creating a sound which is influenced by artists such as (X-Raided, Brotha Lynch, Daz Dillinger, Camoflauge, & Pastor Troy). Upon completion of that tour and clearing of all legal issues surrounding the artist at the time, KJ felt it was his duty to come back home and establish his presence in the northwest. In doing this, KJ hopes to open the gates for fans and artists alike that may not be familiar with the evergreen state.