H I S T O R Y
"Innovating the Drum Set and Honoring Black Music Legacy! Black History Month is about celebrating the innovators who have shaped music and culture, and I’m truly humbled to be mentioned in that conversation.
The legacy of Black American drumming is one of pushing boundaries, redefining sound, and creating new rhythms that move the world. From Max Roach’s bebop revolution to Clyde Stubblefield’s funk grooves, drummers have always led the charge in shaping music, and I’m just grateful to play my part in that tradition by blending genres and techniques to only honor past but inspire young drummers to think outside the box just like others did! A big part of my identity as a drummer has been my drum configurations, from my signature angled setup to experimenting with hybrid acoustic/electronic elements.
Over the years, I’ve gone through different drum kit phases, each reflecting the music and energy I wanted to bring at the time.
Here are some of my named drum kit configurations that have evolved through the years:
• SoulHop Kit – Blending soul, jazz, and hip-hop grooves.
• RockHop Kit – Fusing rock power with hip-hop pocket.
• RuTronics Kit – Expanding into electronic sounds.
And I’ve got more in the works!
Check out my different setups in these videos and let me know which one is your favorite. Much love and respect to the pioneers who paved the way from Tony Williams, Questlove, Benard Purdie and to everyone celebrating the power of rhythm. Grateful for the journey and excited for what’s next!" -Daru
Part.1
Part.2
Comments