Ty Bru, Ed E. Ruger, & Merkules Reflect On Independence And Grit In New Track, “Self Employed”

by | Aug 9, 2025 | Latest

Ty Bru, a hip-hop artist from Asheboro, North Carolina, has spent over two decades building a career on his own terms. His journey in music is a story of persistence. He earned five degrees from Appalachian State University, giving him a unique perspective on the business of art. That drive took him across the world, from the United States to Europe and even a five-year residency in Shanghai, China. Along the way, he’s released acclaimed projects like “On The Brink” and won a Hip Hop Album of the Year award at the Independent Music Awards with his group Tenacious.

His latest single, “Self Employed,” feels like a culmination of that journey. The track features his longtime friend and labelmate, Ed E. Ruger, and the well-known Canadian rapper Merkules. The song is a testament to two decades of hustle, sacrifice, and the freedom that comes from building your own success.

The production has a classic golden-era feel, blending a smooth, head-nodding beat with a haunting melody. It’s the perfect foundation for the three artists to share their stories. Ty Bru kicks things off with the hook, “paying dues already at the 1st of the month…self-employed with my boys so we work when we want.” You immediately get what this song is about: hard-earned independence.

His verses are thoughtful and clean. The line “it’s amazing what a little bit of trying might get you, let me hit you with the science” captures the track’s motivational spirit. Throughout the song’s four-minute runtime, all three rappers deliver sharp, story-driven verses. Ruger paints a picture of progress with lines like, “sleeping on the floor now now we sleep on big mattress.” Merkules adds his own gritty wisdom, noting, “you don’t need the bathroom stall to read the writing on the wall.” The whole track is an honest look at what it takes to make it on your own.

As Ty Bru explains, the song was sparked by a major milestone. “This song was inspired by our May 2025 four-day festival celebrating 20 years of Mightier Than The Sword Records at the historic Sunset Theatre in downtown Asheboro,” he says. “Ed and I have performed together hundreds of times, and we’ve kept it independent. Merkules joining this record made perfect sense after his recent show with Ruger in Greensboro.”

The track is already finding its audience, approaching 2,000 streams on Spotify and gaining positive attention. “Self Employed” is also the start of something bigger. In honor of the label’s 20th anniversary, Ty and his crew are dropping a new song every Monday for the rest of 2025. The follow-up single, “PUT IT ON THE SET,” is already available, offering a fun, high-energy contrast.

If you appreciate artists who build their own path, this is a journey worth following.

You can purchase “Self Employed” on Bandcamp or stream it now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and other major platforms.

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