about us
Rapattack was
first
established by the Master MC and Mellow Milt back
in 1984. Having both dabbled with promotions and
with the Master MC DJing as an ongoing hobby, they
decided to put their experience together and develop a new concept in
partying and clubbing.
This was all based
around a state of the art Sound-system, together with the new New York
styled musical presentation in the form of mastermixing on the then rare
Technics SL 1200 turntables.
"Basically it all started and was all about putting
on
great parties, with great music for music lovin, funky
people
in this great city of London!"
The concept
remains just as alive today and Rapattack continue to be one of the very
few DJ outfits that can perform on their own soundsystem which is
upgraded every year to meet with new developments in technology. So you
most definitely will remember where you heard that tune first.
Value for money,
100% professionalism, and music that is appealing to all- being played
on crystal clear, near perfect, quality sound has always been the
trademark of Rapattack for many years.
After
deciding on the name Rapattack, underground house parties on Saturday
nights were what really got the ball rolling and very soon warehouse
parties attracting over 5000 people were playing a part in building the
name, and building a regular Rapattack crowd - "the Rapattack family!"
which today is truly multicultural.
AND THE REST IS
HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
------------------------------------------------------
Profile of the
Rapattack founder
London’s DJ Master
MC is one of the most professional DJ’s on the underground DJ circuit
with a name that is renowned throughout the music industry. Born in
Grenada (West Indies) and educated at the Robert Walpole Grammar School
in London, his musical talents started to seriously emerge in 1982 when
he formed the ‘Rapattack’ Soul Sound system after having a brief spell
with the Mastermind Roadshow as their New York styled MC.
Compelled by his
association with rap artists Whodini and Grandmaster Flash (who inspired
him to become a DJ), he is still recognised as being the best mastermix
DJ there is. His live creative style is very uplifting and unique, with
a selection that is second to none and appreciated by all ages.
Rapattack - the
early years
Master MC started
radio work in 1982 as the main DJ for LWR, with the likes of Carl Cox,
Mr C (Shamen) Norman Jay, Paul ‘trouble’ Anderson, Daddie Ernie, Tim
Westwood, Jasper, Steve Jackson, Derek B, Jigs and DJ Elaine amongst
others, many of whom formed a break away faction to create the original
Kiss FM. He remained at LWR until dissolution. With a busy work
schedule, sell out gigs and a loyal nature, Master MC joined West
London's ‘Time Radio’ where his award winning ‘Grand Groove’ Soul and
Dance mastermix show exceeded all expectations, becoming one of the most
talked about shows on London’s airwaves. Together with DJ Daddie Ernie,
Jenny Francis, Gammo Speng, Jasper, Jerry Bascombe, Martin Jay and Chris
Nat (most of who can now be found on London’s Choice FM 96.9), Time
Radio became a force to be reckoned with.
Around this time,
ever increasing in popularity and always creating a roadblock, Rapattack
was resident at the famous ‘Peoples Club’ in Paddington promoted by the
then unknown TV presenter Crystal Rose. With Master MC joining DJs Tony
Blackburn and Steve Walsh for BBC Radio London’s ‘Soul Night Out’, as
well as collaboration with DJ Graham Gold at Gullivers night-club, along
with trendy massive warehouse parties regularly attracting 5,000 -
10,000 people, this pioneering DJ and the Rapattack brand name began to
create attention nation-wide. Soul and Dance music had never before been
put together in such a wonderful, creative style. The making of today’s
modern DJ was born. The rest is history.
Rapattack was
formed at a time when London nightclubs were not catering for the funky
music lover and potential club-goer, in terms of music policy, dress
code, atmosphere and opening hours etc. with most clubs playing British
chart music and closing between 12 and 2.00a.m.
Apart from being
credited for introducing all night parties (which usually continued on
until the following afternoon), Rapattack were instrumental in
unleashing ‘Turbo sound’ and ‘JBL’ P.A. Sound System technology to
London’s unsuspecting club culture, a move which revolutionised the
amateur sound system world, and saw a move from home made to
professionally built loudspeaker bins and amplifiers. Before the late
80’s most British clubs overlooked the necessity and did not even
possess a pair of the DJ friendly and industry standard Technics
turntables, which were deemed unnecessary because mixing (and
scratching) was predominantly a New York thing derived from hip-hop
culture. Rapattack dramatically changed all this and exposed the art of
mixing to thousands/multitudes of people, inspiring and kick-starting
the development of today's top DJ careers and influencing many clubs
(such as the WAG) to upgrade in terms of DJ and sound equipment.
Rapattack were the
first to break the status quo in very innovative and entertaining ways.
The amazing (previously unheard of) quality of sound produced by their
sound-system, having a natural ability to present and either blend
together or specialise in one of a variety of underground musical
fields/styles have made Rapattack unique.
The Rapattack
Sound systems talent was and remains phenomenal. Rapattack are proud to
boast the vocal training and development of artistes such as the Wee
Papa Girl Rappers, Betty Boo and more recently Melanie Blatt from All
Saints going on to achieve international fame. The original oldskool
Rapattack Sound-system as a travelling roadshow consisted of singers,
dancers, beat boxers (human drum machines), male and female rappers and
obviously the DJ’s who were taught their trade by the DJ Master MC.
Playing quality music has always been one of Rapattack’s strengths. It’s
no wonder that Record company spies and people with insight, such as
Morgan Khan’s ‘Streetwave’ label made a shrewd killing by licensing and
reissuing many of the popular, but rare tracks that became Rapattack
anthems (i.e. Carl Anderson - Buttercup, Cheryl Lynn - To be real, Maceo
and the Macks - Cross the tracks).
If you’re reading
this for the first time don't let the name Rapattack confuse or deceive
you into thinking or believing that this is a rap-music based outfit.
This certainly is not the case. 1988 saw an explosion into a new
Acid-House SCENE and today House and Garage music has become a natural
and integral part of the UK’s R'n'B club culture.
Alongside the
likes of Matt Jam Lamont (Tuff-Jam), DJ Micky Simms, and the Dreem Teem,
Rapattack is highly regarded as one of the founder members of the U.K.
House and Garage scene and continues to be associated with London’s
‘Twice as Nice’ and ‘Back to 95’ promotions (backto95.com).
Well known and respected by most top Radio/Club DJ’s and held in high
esteem by the likes of Trevor Nelson and the general ‘club-going’ public
of today and yesteryear, Master MC’s ability to specialise in a variety
of musical fields is unsurpassed. Whether it be Jazz-Funk, Soul, R/B,
Garage or simply Rapattack’s good old ‘Party Style’ (a surprise cross
section of musical tastes) it is often said that “Nobody does it
better”. With a personal and ever increasing collection library of over
60,000 records, have no doubts about this DJ’s thorough and extensive
knowledge as well as his passion for Soul and Dance music.
His expertise has
often been called upon to supply research information and archive
material for BBC & Channel 4 music based historic documentaries relating
to British Club culture.
More recently
Rapattack have been hosting community DJ workshop projects for London’s
Hammersmith and Fulham borough at the famous Riverside Studio and are
involved in music production having their own recording studio and a
number of writer/producers, who together with their celebrity friends
provide a showcase at London’s
Notting Hill Carnival
every year.
Rapattack have
become a legend throughout the music industry, known World-Wide by
international soul artistes and musicians alike. Experience gained by
years of radio presenting on community radio stations have been rewarded
with guest slots on BBC London as well as mastermixing live for BBC
1Xtra urban music shows.
Bottom line is-
Rapattack are popular, professional and marketable-
a fact recognised
by named brands and corporate sponsors who choose to use opportunities
for exposure by association with Rapattack at major events.
------------------------------------------------------
Contact Us
For enquiries and
suggestions for website please :
E-mail :
tanya@rapattack.co.uk
Telephone : +44
7860 580582
For more contact
details,
click here
You can also find
us at the London Notting Hill Carnival every year:
All Saints Road
(outside no. 23)
Ladbroke Grove
London W11
View
MAP
------------------------------------------------------
Links
www.djhistory.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-6592.htm
|
|