Biography
The Rascalz - RED1, DJ Kemo, and Misfit - have become iconic figures in the Canadian hip-hop world since their 1993 debut “Really Livin.” Over the past thirteen years and five albums, the critically acclaimed Van city crew has helped pioneer Canadian hip-hop. In the process, they have garnered numerous MuchMusic Video Awards, Urban Music Awards, certified gold records, NO. 1 singles on MuchMusic, and Juno Awards. (They famously declined a Juno in 1998 to protest the show’s policy, which excluded urban music from the televised broadcast). Rascalz member RED1 is now breaking ground on his own with Killawatt Records. He hopes the Vancouver-based label will expose emerging talent of all genres, from across the country and abroad.
“This project is giving me a new hunger,” the rapper explains. “Its a new focus, and a new vision.” Killawatt’s premier release was Red1’s Solo debut, titled Beg For Nothing. The record gets its name from the emcee-turned CEO’s Motto for dealing with Canadian music industry. “The hip-hop community in Canada has always had to beg,” he points out. “We’ve had to fight to get on, to get record deals, to get radio play. I don’t think we are taken seriously. But we have been putting in work and making songs as good as any artist. We tour around the world, and we represent hard for Canada. We’re not begging for anything, we are out here grinding and working our asses off.”
RED1’s smooth flow is at its best, riding the production beats with ease. The soundscapes crafted by RED1 with long time friend and collaborator DJ Kemo are rich and dynamic, drawing a wide range of influences including rock, funk, reggae, and R&B. Balancing scorching club tracks, car bangers, and soulful crib tunes, Beg For Nothing serves up something for everyone.
RED1’s community building initiatives are not just limited to music. In 2000 RED1 and his group The Rascalz became involved with War Child (www.warchild.ca) a non-profit organization that assists children affected by war and traveled to Sierra Leone to bear witness to the conditions there. He and fellow Killawatt artists continue to set a standard of compassion and musical awareness in their East Vancouver environment.
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