Toronto-born and Los Angeles-based artist Anthony Rubicini, known mononymously as Rubicini, has lived many creative lives—drummer, DJ, producer, engineer, singer. But none have been as bold or as deeply personal as the one he’s living now. After a near-death medical scare revealed a hole in his heart, Rubicini underwent major surgery that forced him to pause, reflect, and then return to music with more purpose than ever before.
With a fearless blend of hip hop, R&B, pop, punk, and alternative rock, Rubicini is rewriting his rulebook, crafting music that carries the urgency of someone who knows just how precious time can be.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
In 2024, while visiting Chicago, Rubicini experienced a TIA (mini-stroke) without knowing its cause. The truth emerged soon after: he had a significant hole in his heart. Doctors warned that without immediate intervention, he would not live to see March 2025.
“The scariest part was before the surgery,” Rubicini recalls. “I’d go to bed not knowing if I’d wake up. The palpitations and symptoms were terrifying.”
Thanks to expert care from Canadian doctors, the procedure went smoothly, but the road to recovery had its moments. One particularly harrowing night, he thought he was having a heart attack—it wasn’t, but the fear was real.
Today, Rubicini has completely transformed his lifestyle. He’s back in the gym, follows a strict healthy diet, and has cut out all vices—including coffee. “The biggest shift was mental,” he says. “I live every day with gratitude now. I feel like I’ve been given a second chance, and I’m walking the right path—even if it’s harder.”
A Creative Reset
This life-altering event gave Rubicini more than physical recovery—it brought a new artistic clarity. “It breathed new life into my process,” he explains. “I unlocked a vulnerability I didn’t even know I had.”
The result? A sound that’s bolder, more risk-taking, and unapologetically authentic. “I stopped fearing what might go wrong,” he says. “I almost died—there’s nothing scarier than that. Now I just create the music I love and want to share.”
From Punk Drummer to Genre-Bending Visionary
Rubicini’s musical roots run deep. He grew up playing drums alongside his father and friends, immersed in rock, metal, punk, and indie. His early dream was to front a metal band, performing at high school shows and writing with friends.
By his late teens, he had also built a career as a DJ and producer, a path he followed until 2018. A year later, he moved into recording engineering for other artists—and eventually found his voice as a singer.
A pivotal meeting with LA-based producer Dustin Belt introduced guitars into his sound, while a collaboration with Benny Mayne sparked his love for the alt-hip hop style. Today, Rubicini fuses the grit of rock and punk with the swagger of hip hop and the emotion
of R&B, creating a sound that feels iquely his own.
The New Sound: Raw Energy Meets Emotional Honesty
Rubicini’s current music reflects both his early influences—Blink-182, Linkin Park, Green Day—and modern inspirations like Post Malone, Don Toliver, and The Kid Laroi. “It’s about combining rock energy with hip hop and pop sensibilities,” he says. “It feels like I’m finally showing people what’s really in my heart.”
This fusion comes alive in his live shows, where high-energy performances meet intimate emotional moments. “Performing has always been my favorite space,” he shares. “Now, it’s sacred. It’s where I put all my pain, joy, and truth.”
“Wasted”: A Statement of Healing
His latest single, “Wasted”, marks his first solo release in this new era. Inspired by toxic relationships and cycles of self-doubt, the song became a turning point in his personal healing.
“Writing it helped me break patterns,” Rubicini explains. “It’s a reminder of what I don’t want in any relationship—musically and emotionally, it’s about new beginnings.”
While it’s still finding its audience online, live performances of “Wasted” have been met with electric energy. Fans sing along, friends say it’s stuck in their heads for days, and Rubicini feels the emotional connection every time.
Listen to “Wasted” here: Spotify Link
Independent and Unstoppable
Without booking agents or promoters, Rubicini has taken touring into his own hands, performing in Los Angeles, Montreal, Chicago, and Toronto—often more than once. Every connection, every gig, is the result of his own hustle.
One standout memory: filming the Wasted music video in Joshua Tree. “Being in the desert, surrounded by that stillness—it was surreal,” he says.
What’s Next for Rubicini
The coming months are stacked with new music. On August 15, he’s releasing Smoke Filled Room with Lucas Larvenz, followed by the EDM track Lights Off with Maui Sam & Cyrus Bangz on September 12. He’s also working on more alternative pop and hip hop tracks with Dustin Belt—some deeply emotional, others pure high energy.
His message to fans in this new chapter is simple: change is possible. “Your past doesn’t define you,” he says. “Taking a chance on yourself can lead to something beautiful.”
Legacy in a Name
Rubicini isn’t just a stage persona—it’s his real last name, carried with pride to honor his grandfather, a professional international boxer from 1947 to 1957 who’s now in the Hall of Fame.
When asked to describe himself in three words, Rubicini doesn’t hesitate: Passionate. Resilient. Audacious.
A Journey Worth Following
From pounding punk rhythms behind a drum kit to crafting genre-defying anthems born from survival, Rubicini’s story is one of transformation, grit, and creative fearlessness.
He’s an artist who doesn’t just want to make you move—he wants to make you feel. And after everything he’s faced, Rubicini is more than ready to take his sound, and his story, to the biggest stages yet.
© 2025, Harry James. All rights reserved.
