BIO
This nomadic lifestyle didn’t afford T.K.O. any level of comfort or contentment in his surroundings; a factor of his youth responsible for his lifelong, adrenaline addiction (his drug of choice) and risktaking drive. What it did allow him was to establish residency in music making. He spent his every waking minute rapping and beating on anything in his path to tap into his passion for drumming which (much like Pharrell) led T.K.O. to become a percussionist in a variety of school music programs. Drumline along with legends such as AI Green and The Supremes (the icons of his parents liking), and transitional living fostered T.K.O.’s strong sense of respect for others and the desire to serve and protect those close to him. “Being part of all those bands-Concert, Marching, Jazz, Rock-taught me that being part of something is more than just showing up. You have to respect each other and work as a team. It really opened up a loyal, protective side of me.”
Meet The Artist, The Self Defense Trainer, and The Business Owner
Triple K. O.
With the grit of David Banner, the crunk of Lil’ Jon and the swagger of LL Cool J, T.K.O. - Tripple Knockout-is a pound-for-pound champ ready to jump into the ring. Born Tracy Rucker in Bartow, Florida and a child of a hardened military family, T.K.O. spent his youth in tow traveling the world while furtively tuning an ear to music. By the age of 19, he had lived in more than fifteen states, from the southeast to New York, and spent his most memorable time outside the states in Germany where his father was stationed on two separate assignments. “Living in Germany was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I got an appreciation for the culture; the people were kind and welcomed somebody like me – someone who was completely different.”
While music fueled his mind and stoked his creativity, T.K.O. stiff ached for a more physical outlet to annihilate his feelings of being a man of a different breed. In a guy’s outing and an unexpected occasion, T.K.O. ventured out alongside his cousin to a local sparring match. A fired-Up T.K.O. climbed into the ring and found himself a home. Time, practice, and the brawn of rock classics (by the likes Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and The Grateful Dead) playing in the shadows shaped T.K.O. to be one of the “beasty-est” in his field. Rather than use his animalistic, badass persona to elevate his own stature, T.K.O. selflessly applied his energy and skiffs to become a mentor to today’s youth by joining forces with Atlanta’s Gateway Center-an organization aimed toward ending homelessness -as an Outdoor Therapy Wildlife Counselor. Teaching the enrollees priceless lessons in self-defense, self-respect, and personal conduct T.K.O. encouraged the many children participants to become responsible, well-rounded young adults during his two-year tenure. “Having gone through a lot myself, giving back to the kids is a way for me to step out of my comfort zone and step back into their circle—a place I’m familiar with. I’m reminded of where I’ve been and where I’m goin’ and I hope one day, they will do the same—lead.” GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE | 21
