Philadelphia-based producer Bugz Ronin is etching his name alongside some of the biggest beatmakers in the game — and with it, he’s cultivating a fresh sound with a handful of hip-hop’s bonafide stars.
The eclectic soundsmith’s Puerto Rican roots are a prominent angle to his work with artists in Lil Uzi Vert, Yung Bans and Yeat. Most known for his work on Eternal Atake and 2 Alivë, Bugz revealed his first big looks were on an unnamed R&B singer who was signed to Meek Mill’s Dreamchasers imprint. He learned his production style from his peers in Puerto Rico, learning an appreciation for danceable percussion and melodies at an early age.
After coming back to the States, Ronin was able to form lasting relationships within the Philadelphia rap scene. Through consistent placements and a strong work ethic, the young producer was able to connect with St. Louis rapper Yung Bans for his album Misunderstood — also cultivating a friendship that still stands to this day.
Ronin’s combination of trap drums and intricate chords provides a unique platform for melodic rappers to really shine, whether it be on aggressive tracks like Lil Uzi’s “Lo Mein” or darker joints like Bans’ “Too Many Times.”
With producers, it can be difficult to match talent with finances, as both labels and artists are in a neverending cycle of trying to make hits on a budget. Bugz has had no issues, though, signing minimal deals in favor of keeping his business afloat in order to level himself up to the superstar point he is at now.
From Bans to Yeat, Bugz Ronin has had an insane run on the way to his status as a go-to producer in the game. With hit after hit under his belt, we expect nothing but greatness from his future, so keep an ear to the streets the next time you hear, “Bugz Ronin, he gon’ run it up!”
Watch Bugz Ronin’s OGM exclusive below!
Quotable Moments
Hakeem: I feel like you end up doing a lot of records on people’s projects. Why is that?
Bugz Ronin: Once I get one with an artist I just keep applying pressure, I just keep sending shit. Then they’ll send me music too so I kinda go off of what they send me, like what they want for the album, and I just mold it into that, I try to cater to that.
H: [Yung Bans’ album Misunderstood] was your first major placement, right?
BR: I started off doing R&B music for real. I was working with one of Meek Mill’s artists coming up, so I guess that was like my first kinda big placement in the beginning of everything… I had Uzi records already out before I worked with Bans but DSPs and album shit definitely was Bans.
H: As much as you’re working with big artists, you’re tapping in with the underground… What makes you want to go work with the new and upcoming guys and give them a chance?
BR: Those guys are the future, for real for real, you know? I just try to always adapt and be ahead of the curve with shit, so I definitely have my favorites in the underground and when I become a fan of your music I just be reaching out like, “Bro let’s get something in, let’s lock in,” you feel me? They see I work with [Lil Uzi] Vert… [he] really influenced a lot of these underground kids.
