Rugged Soul Records president, Rob A is a visionary that seems to have been in training for this position his entire life. Born to a rock critic he was exposed to music daily. Listening to the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Clash, Burning Spear, James Brown, Miles Davis, Al Green, and The Stooges, music was always around. Records came in the mail via UPS in stacks daily. Some of the first rap records Rob heard early on like "The Breaks" "Flash to the Beat" and "Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel" immediately caught his ear. As years passed Rob A studied the art form and participated in all aspects of the construction of Hip-Hop's movement in the early to mid 1980's. "Run-DMC", "BDP", "Cold Crush Brothers", "Biz Markie" and "Eric B and Rakim" were early favorites. In the summer of 1988 Rob A went to a local radio station in Charlottesville VA, WTJU, the radio station for the University of Virginia, and started a rap show Friday nights from 2-6 am. Being the first of only a few rap radio shows at the time at age 14 was a great start. This is where He started to learn the art of beat blending and mixing from other radio DJ's in New York City like DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout's weekend shows on 98.7 Kiss FM. Rob A did mix tapes in 1989 locally and continued doing them until 1997. As Rap grew and peaked in the years of '88-'90, he continued to be a fan and do shows. Rob A learned beat making in 1990 and would continue this art form, along with his love of Freestyling. In 1994 Rob A founded "Missing Link Beat Productions aka M.L.B.P" and made a few demos. One of which was critiqued in "Rap Sheet" In the October 1996 issue. M.L.B.P continues to do beats for other groups like for MF GRIMM songs "Time and Space" Rob A recently did a Hip-Hop Collection for Time Life Music called "SLAMMIN The Ultimate Rap Hits." Also produced "Time and Space" by MF Grimm. Executive Producer on AAROPHAT-"The Sound Vol2. Vibe Music" He wishes to deliver a fresh,positive and melodic but gritty sound to the forefront of Hip-Hop in an age that seems surrounded by fame driven idiots. Hopefully you will enjoy this music and get the word out to the street. And if you would like for him to do a beat just email Rob A. As you now know his life story is fully immersed in hip hop from the radio show he ran at age 14, to mixtape king in college, and now as one of urban musics up and coming producers. Rob A has played a significant role in elevating hip hop in Virginia. That quest now extends to the national and global level with the emergence of Rugged Soul Records and his own production company Missing Link Beat Productions.To learn more about Rob A and to hear soundbytes of this beatsmith go to the "NEWS" link at this site. More to come soon with his solo release. Thanks for reading and come back often! PEACE