R.A.P. Ferreira – Biography, Career and Songs

Rory Allen Philip Ferreira, known by his stage name R.A.P. Ferreira, formerly Milo and Scallops Hotel, is an American artist from Kenosha, Wisconsin. He is recognized as a rapper, producer, philosopher, and poet.

Ferreira gained attention and a devoted following with his initial projects, I Wish My Brother Rob Was Here and Milo Takes Baths. His talent was acknowledged by fellow artists Busdriver and Open Mike Eagle, leading to his first tour with them and a signing to their label, Hellfyre Club.

In September 2014, Ferreira released his debut studio album, A Toothpaste Suburb. Despite facing challenges during its release, he went on to establish his own record label, Ruby Yacht (stylized RBYT). Operating from his record store, Soulfolks Records, located in Nashville, Tennessee, Ferreira continues to explore his artistic endeavors.

Early Life

Ferreira was born on February 3, 1992, in Chicago, Illinois. His parents, who hailed from the South Side of Chicago and both left high school early, separated shortly after his birth. Following their split, Ferreira’s mother relocated to Saco, Maine, where he spent much of his early years.

His introduction to hip hop came through his uncle, a battle rapper known as NIZM, who exposed him to the music of Nas. During his adolescence, Ferreira moved with his father to Kenosha, Wisconsin. Engaging in theater activities at school, he devoted much of his free time to honing his skills in hip hop. With his father often absent due to work commitments, Ferreira sought companionship on online forums, particularly ProBoards, where he made friends. By the time he reached college, Ferreira had attended a total of 13 different schools.

He embarked on his rap journey as part of the hip-hop trio Nom de Rap in Kenosha and Wisconsin, alongside fellow rappers Nicholas J and AD the Architect. Following high school, he pursued a degree in philosophy at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin.

Regarding his stage name, Ferreira has offered various explanations. Initially, he claimed to have adopted the name “Milo” at age 16, inspired by the protagonist of The Phantom Tollbooth. However, in an interview with everydejavu, he revealed that “Milo” is actually an acronym for “maybe i like owls,” a nod to his earlier rap moniker, “wise owl, himself.”

Early Career Beginnings 

In 2010, Nom de Rap dropped their debut mixtape, Greatest Hits Vol. 1. Following this, Ferreira, under the name Milo, released his first solo mixtape titled I Wish My Brother Rob Was Here in 2011. Despite recording the project in his bedroom with gradually acquired equipment, Ferreira himself described the quality as “rubbish.” The mixtape’s title pays homage to Del the Funky Homosapien’s I Wish My Brother George Was Here and Ferreira’s late friend Robert Espinosa. The mixtape gained attention, even catching the eye of Forbes.

On February 2, 2012, Milo released Milo Takes Baths, which showcased a more refined sound compared to his debut mixtape. Spending more time on its creation, Milo aimed to move away from the nerdcore style he had initially become associated with. Forbes once again praised his work.

In January 2013, Ferreira released two EPs: Things That Happen at Day and Things That Happen at Night. The song “Kenosha, WI” from these EPs had previously been featured in a 2012 issue of the journal Postmodern Culture. These releases caught the attention of rapper Nocando and his label Hellfyre Club, which included Ferreira’s idols Busdriver and Open Mike Eagle. Ferreira’s conversations with Busdriver and Open Mike Eagle since 2012 had led to Nocando’s awareness of him, especially when Ferreira contemplated quitting rap. He eventually signed with Hellfyre Club and embarked on his first tour, covering 25 cities.

In July 2013, Ferreira dropped The Cavalcade mixtape, followed by his appearance on Hellfyre Club’s compilation Dorner vs. Tookie in November 2013. Under the moniker Scallops Hotel, he released Poplar Grove (or How to Rap with a Hammer) the same month. In June 2014, Ferreira relocated to Los Angeles with friends Nedarb Nagrom and Safari Al to join his label and collective, Hellfyre Club. Upon their arrival, they kicked off the “Moving to LA” tour, commencing in St. Louis and concluding in Sacramento.

Career Achievements

After the release of his debut studio album, A Toothpaste Suburb, on Hellfyre Club in September 23, 2014, Ferreira parted ways with the label. Dissatisfied with the album’s rollout and unpaid preorder earnings, he decided to establish his own imprint, Ruby Yacht. The name “Ruby Yacht” is derived from the Persian word for a collection of poems, rubaiyat. Reflecting on this decision, Ferreira remarked, “I don’t have another option. No one wants to invest money in the art that I’m making, no one out here, except listeners, and that’s really dope.”

Remaining in Los Angeles after leaving Hellfyre Club, Ferreira and friend Safari Al moved into a storage shed in Echo Park. In just seven days, they recorded and mixed an EP titled (Boyle) and Piles, released under the name Red Wall on December 17, 2015. Utilizing the EP’s sales, they swiftly relocated to Oakland, and later to Milwaukee, where Ferreira began work on his second album, So the Flies Don’t Come, due to the cost-effectiveness of the city compared to Los Angeles.

So The Flies Don’t Come, entirely produced by Kenny Segal, was released on September 25, 2015, followed by Ferreira’s first headlining tour. The album received critical acclaim and made it onto numerous year-end lists by publications such as Rolling Stone, Spin, The New York Observer, The Boston Globe, and Impose.

In 2017, Ferreira announced his third studio album, Who Told You to Think??!!?!?!, which was highly anticipated and released on August 11, 2017, under the Ruby Yacht label. The album received positive reviews and was ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the most anticipated albums of the year.

His fourth studio album, Budding Ornithologists Are Weary of Tired Analogies, dropped on September 21, 2018. Shortly after, Ferreira announced that it would be his final rap album as Milo. In the same year, he collaborated with fellow underground rapper Elucid on the album Nostrum Grocers under the group moniker Nostrum Grocers.

Transitioning to his new stage name R.A.P. Ferreira, he released “Respectdue” on May 31, 2019, followed by his first studio album under the new name, Purple Moonlight Pages, on March 6, 2020. Despite plans for a tour, it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ferreira’s team urged fans to take care of each other, emphasizing the importance of community during challenging times.

Record Label

Ferreira established his label, Ruby Yacht (stylized as RBYT), in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Named after the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam and in honor of his grandmother, Ruby Yacht is entirely owned and financed by Ferreira himself. The label’s operations were initially based out of Ferreira’s record store, Soulfolks Records, located in Biddeford, Maine, which opened its doors in April 2018. Soulfolks Records specializes in selling cassettes, vinyl, and CDs, with a focus on independent rap music, and is the sole record store in Biddeford.

Currently, Ruby Yacht boasts two signed artists: Ferreira’s childhood friend and musician Safari Al, and the renowned Los Angeles record producer Kenny Segal. Despite his connection to the indie rap scene, Ferreira has refrained from signing additional artists, citing the scarcity of album deals in the genre and his personal beliefs as factors influencing this decision.

Personal Life

Ferreira, primarily a vegetarian but occasionally consuming meat, currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He initially moved to Los Angeles in 2014 with friends and frequent collaborators Safari Al and Nedarb Nagrom to be closer to his then-label, Hellfyre Club. Following the dissolution of the collective and label, Ferreira relocated to Boyle Heights and later to a storage shed in Echo Park. Eventually, he returned to Wisconsin before settling in Maine after his first headline tour. Describing his move to Maine, Ferreira expressed a desire for solitude, stating, “It’s far away from everything. I’m a bit of a wild person. I like to be free, run around, holler, do weird shit. I don’t like people looking at me. I need space.” He also cited his marriage and wife’s pregnancy as significant factors influencing the move.

Ferreira attended St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, where he studied philosophy. However, he dropped out after relocating to Los Angeles, feeling trapped by the college environment.

In 2016, Ferreira got married. He announced the birth of his son in July 2017, confirming it in a subsequent interview. Ferreira’s divorce, finalized in 2021, was also confirmed through his social media channels.

Discography

Studio albums as Milo

A Toothpaste Suburb (2014)

So the Flies Don’t Come (2015)

Who Told You to Think??!!?!?!?! (2017)

Budding Ornithologists Are Weary of Tired Analogies (2018)

Studio albums as R.A.P. Ferreira

Purple Moonlight Pages (2020)

the Light Emitting Diamond Cutter Scriptures (2021)

5 to the Eye with Stars (2022)

EPs

Things That Happen at Day (2013)

Things That Happen at Night (2013)

Poplar Grove (or How to Rap with a Hammer) (2013) (as Scallops Hotel)

Boyle and Piles (2014) (with Safari Al, as Red Wall)

Singles

“Organon” (2012)

“A Persnickity Goblin’s Hard Sigh” (2012)

“Concerning the Dream Tigers I Have Seen (for Borges)” (2012)

“The Elotes Man” (2013)

“A Binary Abacus” (2013)

“Shinsplints wind Breakr Pants” (2018)

“Galahad in Goosedown (Fiat Iustitia Et Pereat Mundus)” (2018)

“Respectdue” (2019) (as R.A.P. Ferreira)

“Doldrums” (2020) (as R.A.P. Ferreira)