Mood Ruff
| Company type | Independent music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Winnipeg , Canada |
| Products | Hip hop music, albums |
Mood Ruff was a hip-hop ensemble originating from Winnipeg, Canada, established in 1994. The group consisted of members Odario Williams (Odario), Spitz, Breakz, and ICQRI. Their concluding album, I Do My Own Stunts (2005), featured their inaugural commercial success, the track "Rocketship".
History
Odario and Spitz, the founding members, connected during their time at Kelvin High School in Winnipeg and began crafting demo recordings in the early 1990s. Their live performances commenced in 1994 at intimate venues in Toronto, initially drawing modest crowds. Early tours saw them sharing stages with punk and funk acts, which helped cultivate a grassroots following throughout Canada.
In 1997, Mood Ruff established their independent label, Slo-Coach Records, to distribute their music. That same year, they initiated the Peg City Holla Festival, a summer event dedicated to showcasing Winnipeg’s hip-hop scene and featuring notable artists such as Ali Shaheed Muhammad from A Tribe Called Quest.
Their track "No Hooks" became a breakthrough single with substantial rotation on Canada's Much Music network, significantly elevating their national visibility. The debut album Night.Life.Types (1999) was succeeded by Politic Different, both of which were met with favorable critiques and achieved moderate commercial results. The 2002 release Antarctica (Cold, Cold World) introduced DJ ICQRI into the lineup but did not attain considerable market success.
The 2005 album I Do My Own Stunts incorporated new member Breakz and sustained critical praise while delivering their first commercially successful single, "Rocketship". Shortly after this release, the group dissolved. Odario has continued his artistic pursuits as part of Grand Analog.
Members
Spitz, also known by his aliases Eli Epp and DJ Dow Jones, is one of the original founders. Raised within a military family that relocated frequently during his youth, he initially engaged in graffiti art.
Odario (Garfield Williams), the other founding member, hails from a small village in Guyana. Beyond his contributions to Mood Ruff, he has acted in over fifteen films and leads the rock band Grand Analog.
Kevin Williams, known as ICQRI and Odario’s younger brother, joined the group prior to the release of Antarctica (Cold, Cold World). He participates in various side projects and has experience as a stunt performer in cinema.
Breakz is the most recent addition to the group, appearing on their final album I Do My Own Stunts.
Influences
Mood Ruff’s musical style is rooted in the golden era of hip-hop with inspirations drawn from artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, KRS-One, and Public Enemy—acts they have supported on tour. Canadian musician K-os also influences their sound. While touring, they often listen to artists like De La Soul and Common. Their influences extend beyond hip-hop to include bands like The Hives and elements of 1980s pop; Odario specifically names Joni Mitchell as a favored Canadian artist.
"Rocketship"
The track "Rocketship," positioned fourth on I Do My Own Stunts, represents Mood Ruff's first commercial hit. Characterized by an energetic jazz-inflected vibe and incorporating a sample from KRS-One's "MC's Act Like They Don't Know," it exemplifies the group's preference for rhythmic complexity and lyrical themes centered on relationships. This single garnered multiple honors including CBC Radio 3’s Top Canadian Track of 2005 and won the 2006 Western Canada Music Award for Best Rap Recording. It also received frequent airplay across Much Vibe, MTV Canada, and Much Music channels.
Discography
- Night.Life.Types (1999)
- Politic Different (2000)
- Antarctica (Cold Cold World) (2002)
- I Do My Own Stunts (2005)