"Ruda Real" (June 5, 1977 - January 29, 2006) was the stage name of Kairuba Brown, an American hip-hop soul singerBrown was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He started singing very early in his life, and was performing professionally by his teens. In 1996, he attracted the attention of legendary R&B group, Boyz II Men, who wanted to sign him as the first act on their new label, Stonecreek Recordings.