Today we’d like to introduce you to Curtis Ruffin Jr.
Hi Curtis, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
13irthmark (Birthmark)
HIP HOP SOUL performer/songwriter/recording artist is born
Curtis Lamar Ruffin Jr. was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA in 1984. The descendent of David Ruffin from the Temptations, 13irthMark grew up Listening to old school R&B, pop and classic rock.
He later on moved to Sylvania, Georgia and fell in love with “Gangster” rap, (though it’s been more so reality rap for 13irthmark) from artist like Ice Cube, Scarface, Snoop Dogg and other artist that he classifies in his genre of Hip Hop Soul like Outkast, Goodie Mob, 2 Pac 8Ball and MJG, while playing percussion in the SCREVEN COUNTY school’s band.
As an artist 13irthmark started writing music at age 13 and later recorded his first song at age 17 with WAND DAWG RECORDS.
After he graduated from High school, he went back to Ft Lauderdale, Florida and recorded his first album, “Diary On Tapes” which sold over 3000 physical copies himself.
He is currently booking and performing at live venues throughout the Southeast region, doing local media runs and has been collaborating with many artists throughout the Southeast region.
His motto is to bring quality music back to the industry while not having a dated sound without compromising his deliberate delivery while dropping everlasting music and putting together classic albums.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I can’t say that it has been a smooth road. Juggling personal and business is something I think is a challenge for everyone that is self-employed or not, because life is full of surprises and will make you accountable for your previous actions.
While developing as a person I experienced betrayal, disappointment, unfair judgements by courts, racial profiling by local policing authorities in multiple states, baby mama drama, homelessness, coming up in a single parent home you learn how to divide visits equally when they live in 2 different states, continued education and stable employment challenges.
As a musician I experienced while developing as a recording performing artist finding a stable recording place and composer/producers to work with consistently to get my rhythm of being a more efficient recording performing artist which forced me to be more hands on and learn how to record myself, learn the business side of the music business so I can self-publish and distribute my works without compromising the ownership of my works. I learned to not take “No” personally and just because its “No” here, doesn’t mean it’s “No” somewhere else, especially if you believe in a project, a few rejections shouldn’t prevent you from continuing to find your market. I learned to trust the process.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am Rap/Hip Hop artist that does multi-genres of Hip Hop that I classify as Hip Hop Soul. I’m a writer, performing artist, self-publisher and administrator, recording engineer, marketer and customer service representative of my works.
Over the years wearing these many hats has become a part of my everyday uniform when I wake up. The arts and I have become one and it feels great to have developed this rhythm with my passion which is one of the things I’m most proud of about this journey, developing the work life balance and being able to perform my works live to the world physically or played on streaming platforms.
What sets me apart is my Everyday Citizen music that connects with so many different people in all walks of life. To be able to corner the market with my Mother’s Day song “HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY”, Father’s Day song “RAISED BY MY HERO”, Veteran’s Day song “WELCOME HOME”, New Year song “NEW YEAR RESOLUTION”, Black history month and Juneteenth song ’13LACK SKINNED”, Thanksgiving and Family Reunion song “NOTHIN’ LIKE FAMILY”, Back to school song “STUDY BUDDY” and my Spring and Summer Break song “ROAD TRIP” has secured my place in not only RAP/HIP HOP but Music in general as the first and only artist so far that has songs that is embed in not only American Culture, but the Cultures of Humanity and I am honored to say that these songs wasn’t forced or preplanned this way, it naturally came out over the years and I was blessed with the insight to line them up with these celebrated days.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The business side of things, not only music but whatever your interest is that you want to present to the public for financial gain to make sure you go just as hard with studying and exercising the business side of it as you do your creative side and distribution. If refusing to do so with both is just being lazy and laziness can and will be costly.
Pricing:
- Music singles $0.99-$1.29
- Albums $9.99
- AGREE 2 DISAGREE AND LIVE IN HARMONY Hat $15.50
- Misplaced Energy heavyweight tee $25.50
- EVERYDAY CITIZEN TOUR PERFORMANCE $1,200.00 ・ 45 min set
Contact Info:
- Website: https://13irthmark.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/13irthmark
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/INVEIGHRECORDS
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/13irthmark
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/13irthmark
- soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/birth-mark
- Other: https://bnds.us/rb339m
Image Credits
FLASHINLITES PHOTOGRAPHY ABOVEGROUD PRODUCTIONS AIRITOUTRADIO TOPCARTERENT
