NWA, black sheep, de la, tribe, EPMD, busta, group home, kool g, craig mack, bootcamp, common, KRS ONE, heltah skeltah, OGC, smif n wessun, chino xl, the roots, def squad, mobb deep (before 2001), jeru, outkast, fugees, canibus, the wu, killa priest, shyheim, co flow, punch n words, masta ace, black star, pharoah monch, audio visual, eminem (before 2002), word of mouth, thirstin howl III, aesop rock, anti pop consortium, juggaknots, madlib, last emperor, saul williams, immortal technique, copywrite, c rayz walz, qwel, mf doom, greenhouse effect, illogic, cannibal ox, lo deck
Away from the stage, Rattex's calm and quiet demeanor belies the intense fire that burns deep within him. Rattex takes his name from a well-known brand of rat poison. Like the poison, Rattex is known to lyrically kill any rapper foolish enough to test him.
1981, born Thabo Twetwa in Nyanga, Cape Town, Rattex (or 'Rah' to his friends and fans) came into the world during an intense period of political turmoil and racial oppression.
Rattex was raised by his grandmother, not knowing his father and believing that his mother was his sister. At the age of 9, Rattex moved to Khayelitsha with his grandmother to escape his violent, alcoholic grandfather.
The dusty ghettoes of the Cape Flats are notorious around the world for their harsh conditions, rampant poverty and crime. These are conditions where only the strong and determined survive.
Music was one way for Rattex to escape the grim realities of ghetto life. In 1994, he formed Maniac Squad with MAD (Man After Dollar). Middle Finga and Saqwiti joined in 1995 to round off this now-legendary Khayelitsha super crew.
Rattex is now at the forefront of the new school of proudly South African rappers who understand that Hip Hop, more than any other musical art form, is about addressing important issues and representing where you're from. It is therefore not suprising that Rattex is one of the pioneers of the 'Spaza' movement, where lyrics are performed in a combination of isiXhosa, English and Cape Flats slang.
Rattex has always been a true Cape Flats soldier, representing Khultcha (Khayelitsha) wherever he performs. His music has also been on heavy rotation on community and campus radio stations (such as Zibonele, Bush Radio and UCT Radio) across Cape Town and the Cape Flats. Noteable performances include the Fire on the Mountain festival, Drudge Dialect II, the Hype Magazine Live Session and the Planetary Assault launch party. Rattex has also performed on Channel O's number 1 rated show, Mzanzi Ridez.
Rattex caught the attention of producer Dplanet with his blazing and controversial verse on Battle of the Sexes which appeared on the Drudge Dialect mixtape in 2006. Dplanet then featured Rattex on the Planetary Assault compilation album in 2007 where he killed verses on Township Storm and Imbadla Yez'rhumsha.
In 2008 Rattex signed with Pioneer Unit Records. His debut solo album, Bread and Butter was released in October 2008.
Rattex is also a talented actor. The highlight of his acting career so far was a starring role in a production of The Playground by Beverley Naidoo at the Polka Theatre in London, UK, in 2004.
PLEASE GO TO www. myspace. com/afrikaanshiphop and check out the track "AFRIKAANS FREESTYLE CHYPHER" featuring, Remy-E, Rimestein, Dmus, Cloudy, Maniak and Dmus.
JITSVINGER - MAAK IT AAN (THE DOCUMENTARY) DATE: FRIDAY, 5 DECEMBER 2008 TIME: 8:30 - 9:30 LOCATION: LABIA CINEMA, CAPE TOWN STREET: FLOOR 1, LIFESTYLE ON KLOOF, 50 KLOOFSTRET CONTACT: 021-4245927 EMAIL: labia@new.co.za
HEAL THE HOOD PRESENTS: “AFRICAN BATTLE CRY FINALS” DATE: FRIDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2008 TIME: 7:00 PM – 11:55 PM VENUE: OCEAN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL, OCEAN VIEW FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT 021-7060481 OR EMAIL: healthehood@mweb.co.za Featuring: EMILE FROM BLACKNOISE AND THE CREW FROM CAPE AWAKE RECORDS
Dude the day you decide to shoot a video for that song "Welcome to Khaltsha...holla at a brother, I want to be in it. Bra I cant get enough of that song. Big ups ntwana!!!
wha gwaan Rattex,.a Rat Killer and Mouse mudder,.yes my yut hope di I doin well an blessed donga South Africa,.cah we keep it locked an reprezent umZantsi in Different level,.well wish u the best in what ever,.when ever!!!!!Dillinger seh so.
Hola mfo..am inviting you to a fundraiser gig that will be on the 11th of Oct 08. If you are interested to be part of this worthy cause plz hala back at me no later than next week monday/Tues for more in this regard. Sim
An up-and-coming hip-hop label, cape awake records and associates will gather on the night of the 20th September 2008 to launch their first ever compilation cd at 7 p.m. in an effort to raise awareness about Afrikaans Hip Hop. Contact Clebo on 0731735352 for more info
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