Information/Write-up
THE RAGGA MUFFIN RASCALS are the first rap/hip-hop group to emerge from Vancouver’s burgeoning underground rap scene. Young, fresh, and talented, these young men represent Vancouver’s unique, diverse cultural mix. By birth, they are from Antigua, Paraguay, Argentina, Canada, and Chile.
Echoes of Latin, reggae, and soca music can be heard bouncing through the mix. The juxtaposition of reggae, in particular—a music that looks idealistically outward to Africa, God, and peace—and rap, which looks pragmatically inside to city life, self, and anger, sets up an intriguing creative tension.
Inspired by American rap acts like De La Soul, Naughty by Nature, Ice Cube, and Zulu Nation, as well as Canadian reggae-rap pioneers like Dream Warriors, the Ragga Muffin Rascals were bound to make a splash.
Formed in the fall of 1991, the group became serious about their craft three months later. Their commitment to music has led them here—their first album release and an opportunity to spread the word about Vancouver’s reggae-rap scene and the Ragga Muffin Rascals.
SPECIAL THANKS
DIZZO RANKS: To God for guiding me in the right direction, my mother (this is dedicated to you) for being both mother and father to me. To Constance, Valarie, Jacinta, Alston, Avian, and Jr., Avary. Love to all of you. To the crew (Live Large), The Antigua Posse in Potters, Jersey City, New York (ak rudeness mek me). The Jamaican posse: Smile, Kellegs, Deo, Delroy, Lexly, my man Winkie, Streak, Vaal, Censor, Traiter, Nick, Richard, Tony B, La Love, Bev, Donna, Truman (Big up). Rude gal-posse, Natasha, Mrs. Leonard, Ma. Ogal tree, nuff respect. To all the Bounty Hunters and to all my boys (you know who you are). Middle finger to Tara, Monica, Jere, Johnny Jett, Warehouse, Waves, Starship. But if I forgot anyone, sorry. Get ya next time. Dizzo out... like Bush.
SOL G: To both my moms, both my pops, I love you guys. My sisters Shoshana and Jadya. The whole Ragga crew, you know who you are. My extended grand folks, families. My G.F., homies Kolya, Bre, Lance, Shark, Sukie, Sting, Horse, and the Fifers. Freddy D, Dan’s railway, M.B. (too bad) Aurange and Show and Tell and the Prophets of Poetry. If I missed you, don’t fret. Peace. I am out, gotta jet like Bolla Fert.
JACK B NIMBLE: To my family, the MC’s, DJs, dancers, and uniters who keep the hip-hop culture alive, no wackness. Shouts to Aurange, Dan The Man, Olic, and the crew. Peace.
CRIS DEVILLE: My family, my brothers, Ragga Muffin, the real B-Boys. Peace out to the E.S.P., GXC, Pezine, Sketch, Base 1, Pd Smooth Luv, 2-Lex. Thanks for the stacks of war, worldwide life! Pass ¥No Maa!
JACK B QUICK: To God, my family, and the true friends—the boys from Six of Club. Flip-out (good luck), you too Shane, Rob, and Dere, keep the faith. Shouts to Mandeep and Stewart. Peace to all y’all, wouldn’t be here without cha. Mad crazy shouts to the newfound Ragga crew, thanks for the chance. Last but not least, to the fans and the females, I’m comin’ back for more. Peace. God bless.
RMR: To Show and Tell, Lupt6, E.Q., Mike Desine, tha Whe-Lagem, Base 1, and Warren. Y’all stayed down while we still ridin’ the bus.
ORI: To Ron Yamauchi, Eric Baiznich, Ken Whale (Red Eraser), Spiderman, Filleus Mathewson, M/T Accounting, Executive Security, Trevor Mendes, Heenan Blaikie, Doria Ramanule.
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