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The '''Ragga Twins''', also known as '''RTC''', are an English [[ragga]] and [[jungle music|jungle]] duo from [[London Borough of Hackney|Hackney]], composed of London UNITY [[sound system (DJ)|sound system]] veteran [[MC]]s Deman Rocker and Flinty Badman (real names David and Trevor Destouche).<ref>{{cite web|first=Dorian|last=Lynskey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/jun/27/filmandmusic1.filmandmusic33 |title=CD: Ragga Twins, Ragga Twins Step Out |work=The Guardian |accessdate=24 April 2015}}</ref> They are regarded as pioneers of jungle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/19750/1/ragga-twins-on-jungles-year-zero |title=Ragga Twins on jungle's year zero &#124; Dazed |website=Dazeddigital.com |accessdate=24 April 2015}}</ref> [[AllMusic]] called them "crucial cogs in the development of U.K. dance music."<ref name="all">{{cite web|title=Biography & History|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-ragga-twins-mn0000328755/biography|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=15 August 2017}}</ref>
The '''Ragga Twins''', also known as '''RTC''', are an English [[ragga]] and [[jungle music|jungle]] [[MC]] duo of Deman Rocker (David Destouche) and Flinty Badman (Trevor Destouche). Originating from [[London Borough of Hackney|Hackney]], [[England]], they started out on [[London]]'s Unity [[sound system (DJ)|sound system]],<ref>{{cite web|first=Dorian|last=Lynskey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/jun/27/filmandmusic1.filmandmusic33 |title=CD: Ragga Twins, Ragga Twins Step Out |work=The Guardian |accessdate=24 April 2015}}</ref> and are regarded as pioneers of the scene.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/19750/1/ragga-twins-on-jungles-year-zero |title=Ragga Twins on jungle's year zero &#124; Dazed |website=Dazeddigital.com |accessdate=24 April 2015}}</ref> [[AllMusic]] called them "crucial cogs in the development of U.K. dance music."<ref name="all">{{cite web|title=Biography & History|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-ragga-twins-mn0000328755/biography|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=15 August 2017}}</ref>

⚫
In 2008, [[Soul Jazz Records]] issued a [[compilation album]] of their early 1990s recordings entitled ''Ragga Twins Step Out''.<ref name="Pitchfork.com">{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12033-ragga-twins-step-out/ |title=Ragga Twins: Ragga Twins Step Out &#124; Album Reviews |work=Pitchfork |date=1 August 2008 |accessdate=24 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="web.archive.org">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106205013/http://www.xlr8r.com/reviews/ragga-twins/ragga-twins-step-out|title=Ragga Twins Step Out - XLR8R|date=6 January 2010|website=Web.archive.org|accessdate=5 January 2019}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The Ragga Twins originated as part of London's Unity [[sound system (Jamaican)|sound system]], operating under the name in 1989. They first came to prominence with a number of groundbreaking singles in the early 1990's including "Spliffhead", "Wipe The Needle", "Hooligan 69" and "Mixed Truth", with production by [[Shut Up and Dance (duo)|Shut Up & Dance]]. This was followed by album "Reggae Owes Me Money" in 1991.<ref name="all"/> AllMusic described these releases "fiercely energetic mutations of [[dancehall]], [[hip-hop]], and jungle."<ref name="all"/> They resurfaced in 1995 on [[Positiva]], and continued to release tracks intermittently into the 2000s.<ref name="all"/>
The Ragga Twins originated as part of London's Unity [[sound system (Jamaican)|sound system]], operating under the name in 1989. They first came to prominence with a number of groundbreaking singles in the early 1990's including "Spliffhead", "Wipe The Needle", "Hooligan 69" and "Mixed Truth", with production by [[Shut Up and Dance (duo)|Shut Up & Dance]]. This was followed by album "Reggae Owes Me Money" in 1991.<ref name="all"/> They resurfaced in 1995 on [[Positiva]], and continued to release tracks intermittently into the 2000s.<ref name="all"/>


The Ragga Twins' longest musical relationship is with [[Aquasky]], a partnership that was first cemented in 2001 when the tracks "All in Check ft. CoGee" and "Loko"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=424 |title=RA Reviews: Aquasky vs Masterblaster feat. The Ragga Twins – Loko on Botchit & Scarper (Single) |publisher=Residentadvisor.net |accessdate=24 April 2015}}</ref> were written for Botchit & Scarper. Four months later the tracks "Coffee" and "Dem No No We" were recorded for drum and bass label [[Moving Shadow]], and in 2002, the [[drum and bass]] track "Dirty Entertainers" was recorded with Aquasky on their now defunct Sonix label. The following year a remix was created and white labels distributed but the single was never released due to Aquasky leaving their distribution deal with ST Holdings and moving to SRD.
The Ragga Twins longest musical relationship is with [[Aquasky]], a partnership that was first cemented in 2001 when the tracks "All in Check ft. CoGee" and "Loko"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=424 |title=RA Reviews: Aquasky vs Masterblaster feat. The Ragga Twins – Loko on Botchit & Scarper (Single) |publisher=Residentadvisor.net |accessdate=24 April 2015}}</ref> were written for Botchit & Scarper. Four months later the tracks "Coffee" and "Dem No No We" were recorded for drum and bass label [[Moving Shadow]], and in 2002, the [[drum and bass]] track "Dirty Entertainers" was recorded with Aquasky on their now defunct Sonix label. The following year a remix was created and white labels distributed but the single was never released due to Aquasky leaving their distribution deal with ST Holdings and moving to SRD.


A series of 12" singles have been released with Aquasky on their Passenger label since 2002, including new tracks for the 601 album "We Do Bass" and a forthcoming Ragga Twins 2002–2013 compilation album. In 2004, Aquasky were approached by [[HBO]] for the usage of the tracks 'Loko' or 'Dem No No We' to be used in the [[Ali G]] series "[[Ali G in Da USA]]". HBO finally settled on "Dem No No We" which took the Ragga Twins' new breakbeat output to [[United States|America]]. A video was shot for the "Superbad" single in 2011 by bboy and film-maker Charlie Marbles, a friend of Aquasky also from Bournemouth.
A series of 12" singles have been released with Aquasky on their Passenger label since 2002, including new tracks for the 601 album "We Do Bass" and a forthcoming Ragga Twins 2002–2013 compilation album. In 2004, Aquasky were approached by [[HBO]] for the usage of the tracks 'Loko' or 'Dem No No We' to be used in the [[Ali G]] series "[[Ali G in Da USA]]". HBO finally settled on "Dem No No We" which took the Ragga Twins' new breakbeat output to [[United States|America]]. A video was shot for the "Superbad" single in 2011 by bboy and film-maker Charlie Marbles, a friend of Aquasky also from Bournemouth.


In 2008, the Twins lent their vocals to the Backdraft single, "Rock the Mic".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232826/http://www.culturedeluxe.com/news_item.asp?id=4974|title=Wayback Machine|date=3 March 2016|website=Web.archive.org|accessdate=5 January 2019}}</ref> In 2010, they were featured on Mason and the Fraudster's track "U Appear". Flinty Badman & Deman Rocker appeared in the [[Plan B (musician)|Plan B]] crime film ''[[Ill Manors]]'' in 2012. In 2014, they featured on "All is Fair in Love and Brostep" and "[[Ragga Bomb]]" from [[Skrillex]]'s debut album ''[[Recess (album)|Recess]]''.,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.beatport.com/blog/2014/04/02/skrillex-releases-video-for-ragga-bomb-featuring-jungle-legends-ragga-twins/ |title=Skrillex releases video for 'Ragga Bomb' featuring jungle legends Ragga Twins |publisher=News.beatport.com |accessdate=24 April 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20140606094553/http://news.beatport.com/blog/2014/04/02/skrillex-releases-video-for-ragga-bomb-featuring-jungle-legends-ragga-twins/ |archivedate=6 June 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and "Zipper" from MUST DIE!'s album ''Death & Magic''. In 2008, [[Soul Jazz Records]] issued a [[compilation album]] of their early 1990s [[sound recording and reproduction|recordings]] (notably their collaborations with production team/label [[Shut Up and Dance (band)|Shut Up and Dance]]) entitled ''Ragga Twins Step Out''.<ref name="Pitchfork.com"/><ref name="web.archive.org"/>
In 2008, the Twins lent their vocals to the Backdraft single, "Rock the Mic".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232826/http://www.culturedeluxe.com/news_item.asp?id=4974|title=Wayback Machine|date=3 March 2016|website=Web.archive.org|accessdate=5 January 2019}}</ref> In 2010, they were featured on Mason and the Fraudster's track "U Appear". Flinty Badman & Deman Rocker appeared in the [[Plan B (musician)|Plan B]] crime film ''[[Ill Manors]]'' in 2012. In 2014, they featured on "All is Fair in Love and Brostep" and "[[Ragga Bomb]]" from [[Skrillex]]'s debut album ''[[Recess (album)|Recess]]''.,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.beatport.com/blog/2014/04/02/skrillex-releases-video-for-ragga-bomb-featuring-jungle-legends-ragga-twins/ |title=Skrillex releases video for 'Ragga Bomb' featuring jungle legends Ragga Twins |publisher=News.beatport.com |accessdate=24 April 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20140606094553/http://news.beatport.com/blog/2014/04/02/skrillex-releases-video-for-ragga-bomb-featuring-jungle-legends-ragga-twins/ |archivedate=6 June 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and "Zipper" from MUST DIE!'s album ''Death & Magic''.

⚫
In 2008, [[Soul Jazz Records]] issued a [[compilation album]] of their early 1990s recordings entitled "Ragga Twins Step Out".<ref name="Pitchfork.com">{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12033-ragga-twins-step-out/ |title=Ragga Twins: Ragga Twins Step Out &#124; Album Reviews |work=Pitchfork |date=1 August 2008 |accessdate=24 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="xlr8">{{cite web|url=http://www.xlr8r.com/reviews/ragga-twins/ragga-twins-step-out|title=Ragga Twins Step Out - XLR8R|date=6 January 2010|website=XLR8R|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106205013/http://www.xlr8r.com/reviews/ragga-twins/ragga-twins-step-out|archivedate=6 January 2010}}</ref>


Ragga Twins play regularly on [[Kool FM]], now Kool London.
Ragga Twins play regularly on the [[Kool London]] [[radio station]].


==Discography==
==Discography==
Line 36: Line 36:
* "Reggae Owes Me Money" ([[Shut Up and Dance (duo)|Shut Up and Dance Records]], 1991) – [[UK Albums Chart|UK]] No. 26
* "Reggae Owes Me Money" ([[Shut Up and Dance (duo)|Shut Up and Dance Records]], 1991) – [[UK Albums Chart|UK]] No. 26
* "Rinsin' Lyrics" ([[Positiva]], 1995)
* "Rinsin' Lyrics" ([[Positiva]], 1995)
* "Ragga Twins Step Out" ([[Soul Jazz Records]], 2008)
* "Ragga Twins Step Out" ([[Soul Jazz Records]], 2008)<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book| first= David| last= Roberts| year= 2006| title= British Hit Singles & Albums| edition= 19th| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited| location= London| isbn= 1-904994-10-5| page= 448}}</ref>
* "Keep On Chant" (Solid Vinyl Music, 2003)
* "Keep On Chant" (Solid Vinyl Music, 2003)


Line 62: Line 62:
* "Heatwave ft. MC Spyda, CoGee, Pedro Slimer & M-TEK" (Passenger Records, 2012)
* "Heatwave ft. MC Spyda, CoGee, Pedro Slimer & M-TEK" (Passenger Records, 2012)
* "All Is Far in Love and Brostep" with [[Skrillex]] ([[Big Beat Records (American record label)|Big Beat Records]], 2014)
* "All Is Far in Love and Brostep" with [[Skrillex]] ([[Big Beat Records (American record label)|Big Beat Records]], 2014)
* "[[Ragga Bomb]]" with [[Skrillex]] (Big Beat Records]], 2014)
* "[[Ragga Bomb]]" with [[Skrillex]] (Big Beat Records, 2014)
* "Bad Man (Skrillex Remix)" with [[Skrillex]] ([[OWSLA]], 2015)
* "Bad Man (Skrillex Remix)" with [[Skrillex]] ([[OWSLA]], 2015)
* "Get Ready 4 Tha Drop" with Charlotte Devaney (Karma London, 2015)
* "Get Ready 4 Tha Drop" with Charlotte Devaney (Karma London, 2015)

Revision as of 18:14, 9 April 2019

The Ragga Twins
OriginHackney, England
GenresRagga, Dancehall, Jungle, Hip Hop
Years active1989–present
LabelsShut Up and Dance Records, Positiva, Soul Jazz
Members
  • Deman Rocker
  • Flinty Badman

The Ragga Twins, also known as RTC, are an English ragga and jungle MC duo of Deman Rocker (David Destouche) and Flinty Badman (Trevor Destouche). Originating from Hackney, England, they started out on London's Unity sound system,[1] and are regarded as pioneers of the scene.[2] AllMusic called them "crucial cogs in the development of U.K. dance music."[3]

History

The Ragga Twins originated as part of London's Unity sound system, operating under the name in 1989. They first came to prominence with a number of groundbreaking singles in the early 1990's including "Spliffhead", "Wipe The Needle", "Hooligan 69" and "Mixed Truth", with production by Shut Up & Dance. This was followed by album "Reggae Owes Me Money" in 1991.[3] They resurfaced in 1995 on Positiva, and continued to release tracks intermittently into the 2000s.[3]

The Ragga Twins longest musical relationship is with Aquasky, a partnership that was first cemented in 2001 when the tracks "All in Check ft. CoGee" and "Loko"[4] were written for Botchit & Scarper. Four months later the tracks "Coffee" and "Dem No No We" were recorded for drum and bass label Moving Shadow, and in 2002, the drum and bass track "Dirty Entertainers" was recorded with Aquasky on their now defunct Sonix label. The following year a remix was created and white labels distributed but the single was never released due to Aquasky leaving their distribution deal with ST Holdings and moving to SRD.

A series of 12" singles have been released with Aquasky on their Passenger label since 2002, including new tracks for the 601 album "We Do Bass" and a forthcoming Ragga Twins 2002–2013 compilation album. In 2004, Aquasky were approached by HBO for the usage of the tracks 'Loko' or 'Dem No No We' to be used in the Ali G series "Ali G in Da USA". HBO finally settled on "Dem No No We" which took the Ragga Twins' new breakbeat output to America. A video was shot for the "Superbad" single in 2011 by bboy and film-maker Charlie Marbles, a friend of Aquasky also from Bournemouth.

In 2008, the Twins lent their vocals to the Backdraft single, "Rock the Mic".[5] In 2010, they were featured on Mason and the Fraudster's track "U Appear". Flinty Badman & Deman Rocker appeared in the Plan B crime film Ill Manors in 2012. In 2014, they featured on "All is Fair in Love and Brostep" and "Ragga Bomb" from Skrillex's debut album Recess.,[6] and "Zipper" from MUST DIE!'s album Death & Magic.

In 2008, Soul Jazz Records issued a compilation album of their early 1990s recordings entitled "Ragga Twins Step Out".[7][8]

Ragga Twins play regularly on the Kool London radio station.

Discography

Albums

Singles

  • "Illegal Gunshot" / "Spliffhead" (Shut Up and Dance Records, 1990) – UK No. 51
  • "Wipe the Needle" / "Juggling" (Shut Up and Dance, 1991) – UK No. 71
  • "Hooligan 69" (Shut Up and Dance, 1991) – UK No. 56
  • "Mixed Truth" / "Bring Up The Mic Some More" (Shut Up and Dance, 1992) – UK No. 65
  • "Shine Eye" ft Junior Reed (Shut Up and Dance, 1992) – UK 63
  • "Freedom Train EP" (Positiva, 1995)
  • "All in Check ft CoGee / Loko" with Aquasky (Botchit & Scarper, 2002)
  • "Coffee" / "Dem No No We" with Aquasky (Moving Shadow, 2003)
  • "Jerlipy lipy" (Solid Vinyl, 2003)
  • "E Legal Gunshot" (Solid Vinyl, 2003)
  • "Shut em Down" with TC Izlam & Ed Solo (Solid Vinyl, 2003)
  • "Dirty Entertainers" with Aquasky (Sonix, 2003)
  • "Ready For This" with Aquasky (777 Records, 2005)
  • "Everybody Hype" ft. DJ Go with Aquasky (777 Records, 2006)
  • "Let Me See Your Hands" / "Let Me See Your Hands" with Aquasky (777 Records, 2007)
  • "Rock The Mic" with Backdraft (Passenger Records, 2007)
  • "Bring Forth Ya Booty" with 10 Sui & La Resistance (Mob Records, 2008)
  • "Give It Up" with Aquasky (Passenger Records, 2008)
  • "Living Legends" / "Raggatron" with Aquasky (Passenger Records, 2010)
  • "Humble ft Tenor Fly" with Aquasky (Passenger Records, 2011)
  • "Heatwave ft. MC Spyda, CoGee, Pedro Slimer & M-TEK" (Passenger Records, 2012)
  • "All Is Far in Love and Brostep" with Skrillex (Big Beat Records, 2014)
  • "Ragga Bomb" with Skrillex (Big Beat Records, 2014)
  • "Bad Man (Skrillex Remix)" with Skrillex (OWSLA, 2015)
  • "Get Ready 4 Tha Drop" with Charlotte Devaney (Karma London, 2015)
  • "Windpipe" with Barely Alive (Disciple, 2015)
  • "Worldwide" with Metrik (Hospital Records, 2016)
  • "Watch Out" with Dirtyphonics and Bassnectar (Monstercat, 2016)

See also

References

  1. ^ Lynskey, Dorian. "CD: Ragga Twins, Ragga Twins Step Out". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  2. ^ "Ragga Twins on jungle's year zero | Dazed". Dazeddigital.com. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  4. ^ "RA Reviews: Aquasky vs Masterblaster feat. The Ragga Twins – Loko on Botchit & Scarper (Single)". Residentadvisor.net. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  5. ^ "Wayback Machine". Web.archive.org. 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  6. ^ "Skrillex releases video for 'Ragga Bomb' featuring jungle legends Ragga Twins". News.beatport.com. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Ragga Twins: Ragga Twins Step Out | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 1 August 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  8. ^ "Ragga Twins Step Out - XLR8R". XLR8R. 6 January 2010. Archived from the original on 6 January 2010.
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