Ruthless MC

Ruthless MC, born Andrew Alleyne, grew up in England with Caribbean parents and the sounds of reggae and soul at home. Hip hop came first, then the early 1990s rave scene: nights at Dreamscape and the tapes of Grooverider and Ratty led him to jungle. Around a set of decks with friends he picked up the mic rather than the headphones, inspired by Mad P and MC Conrad, and became resident MC at events such as Flavaunit and Rebirth. A trial at a Hospitality night in London led to a long association with Hospital Records, which has taken him from Tokyo to Washington DC and to a regular place on the Detonate bill in Nottingham and Sheffield. His voice is powerful and clear, and he works with the DJ rather than over the music. He appeared alongside LTJ Bukem at The Nest during Dekmantel Festival 2025.