Philadelphia rapper Rick Rula, recently appeared on the Let’s Keep It 100 podcast for an extensive conversation about his music career, past struggles, and evolution as an artist and person.
The South Philadelphia native discussed his journey from surviving a shooting at age 13 to using music as therapy to process trauma and pain. Rick Rula explained that his authentic approach to rap comes from real-life experiences, with every bar reflecting genuine moments from his life rather than manufactured content for mass appeal.
The rapper revealed how he monetizes his social media presence through Meta accounts, earning income from his posts while maintaining consistent content output. He spoke candidly about feature collaborations, stating he would work with artists regardless of track quality if the payment is right, though he lets audience feedback speak for itself.
Rick Rula credited rappers like Meek Mill, Gillie Da Kid, Wallo, and particularly Quilly as major influences, praising Quilly’s marketing genius and ability to remain relevant despite controversies. He noted how Quilly’s influence spans multiple generations, from young children to older audiences.
On the challenges of balancing street life with artistic ambitions, Rick Rula emphasized putting pride aside and prioritizing his future over maintaining a certain image. He discussed keeping friends involved in street activities away from music videos and being transparent about having too much to lose.
The artist addressed the stigma around South Philadelphia, countering negative perceptions with his own experiences of unity and loyalty in the community. He also touched on adapting his musical style to stay relevant while drill rap dominates, though he maintains his signature pain-driven approach.
Rick Rula shared moments that validated his career trajectory, including getting attention from Wallo and NBA legend Rip Hamilton. He described these instances as confirmation that his work ethic and authentic storytelling resonate beyond his immediate circle.
Looking ahead five years, Rick Rula envisions financial stability, entrepreneurship with multiple income streams, good credit, and watching his children reach educational milestones. He defined being a real man as controlling anger, being authentic, and constantly evolving into a better version of oneself.
