Rapture Ruckus
Encyclopedia
Rapture Ruckus is a Christian Hip Hop
/Rock Band from Wellington New Zealand signed to BEC Recordings
. They have released four Albums - "Rapture Ruckus" in 2002, "I Believe" in 2006, Rapture Ruckus Live at World's End
in 2008, and Rapture Ruckus
in 2010 as debut album with BEC Recordings. "I Believe" won an award for Best Gospel/Christian Album at the New Zealand Music Awards
, "Rapture Ruckus Live at World's End" debuted at #7 on the New Zealand album charts and "Rapture Ruckus"(2010) was nominated for a Dove Award for Best Rap/Hip Hop Album.
Headed by Brad Dring, they have been a headline act at Parachute Music Festival
several times and now in the US at Jesus Jam, Creation Festival
, Sonshine Festival
and Three Rivers Festival
In late 2006 they released their much anticipated album I Believe spawning the hit Singles "Freight Train," "Lose Control," and "I Believe." The album pushed them into international success with breakthroughs in Australia
and South Africa
and won them the Best Gospel/Christian Album at the New Zealand Music Awards
. A Music Video for Lose Control was posted on YouTube in 2007 and some months later another Music video for "I Believe" was released online. Around this time Doug Aitofi left the group and Brad Dring continued the act as a soloist with the band as Backup.
". The Album had Two new singles "One" and "No Matter What," it made a debut in the NZ Top 40 at #7 and also made it to #1 on the Hip Hop page on NZ ITunes
.
The Album was well received and sold very well at stores around the Country and at the next years Parachute Music Festival. The DVD also features interviews with Brad Dring and other Ruckus Members as well as the Parachute records CEO.
late 2008. However the date was pushed back, and "Live at World's End" was released instead. At Parachute Music festival 2009, the Band performed two songs off the Album "Hold on" and "Catch Me Ridin'". In February and March Rapture Ruckus toured Australia
and South Africa
with Parachute Band
performing their new songs and beginning to build up anticipation for the upcoming album.
On November 4 he posted on his Twitter that the new Rapture Ruckus album was almost finished and on November 19 he confirmed that they were now mixing the new album.
On November 25 it was announced that Rapture Ruckus was being signed to BEC Recordings, a sub label of Tooth & Nail Records and that their upoming 4th studio album would be distributed throughout the US as a result of this. The band has confirmed that they are moving to Nashville USA and will be promoting their upcoming album throughout the US. They also confirmed that the album would be released in early 2010.
On January 29 at Parachute Music Festival 2010, the band released a limited edition EP labelled "Hold On
" with 6 songs, "All We Got", "Tonight", "Hold On", "All Things New", "Catch Me Ridin'" and "No Matter What" as a taster for the new album to be released through BEC Recordings
in March 2010. Only 640 copies were released and all were sold within the first 24 hours of the festival. The EP charted at #7 on the NZ Top 40 albums chart and #1 on the NZ Independent albums chart.
On April 20 it was announced that the album would actually only be an EP and that it would be a US release of Hold On
with a slightly different tracklisting and title "Rapture Ruckus". "Hold On" would be released fully in New Zealand on June 8 containing the same track listing as the original EP released at Parachute.
The Band has also confirmed that they will be touring with The Letter Black
in support of the album.
During the summer of 2010 the band toured New Zealand with Manafest
, Newworldson
and New Empire
as support acts followed by a tour labelmates "The Museum
" in February and March 2010. The album was nominated for a Dove Award in the category of Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year.
Christian hip hop
Christian hip hop is hip hop music characterized by a Christian worldview, with the general purposes of evangelization , edifying members of the church and/or simply entertaining.-History:Since hip-hop started in the 1970s, various hip-hop artists have...
/Rock Band from Wellington New Zealand signed to BEC Recordings
BEC Recordings
BEC Recordings is a Christian rock record label that is a subsidiary of Tooth and Nail Records. The label was formed in 1997 in partnership with the EMI Christian Music Group....
. They have released four Albums - "Rapture Ruckus" in 2002, "I Believe" in 2006, Rapture Ruckus Live at World's End
Rapture Ruckus Live at World's End
Live At World's End is the 3rd album of the New Zealand Christian Hip Hop/ Rock band Rapture Ruckus. Released on 8 December 2008 the album it made a debut in the NZ Top 40 at #7 and #16 on the IMNZ independent chart. The album was a Live CD/ DVD of their performance at the Parachute Music festival...
in 2008, and Rapture Ruckus
Hold On (Rapture Ruckus EP)
-External links:* * http://www.easterfest.com.au/...
in 2010 as debut album with BEC Recordings. "I Believe" won an award for Best Gospel/Christian Album at the New Zealand Music Awards
New Zealand Music Awards
The New Zealand Music Awards show, is a major annual New Zealand music event where musical acts and singers are awarded each year. It has occurred every year since 1965 to outstanding New Zealand musicians and groups....
, "Rapture Ruckus Live at World's End" debuted at #7 on the New Zealand album charts and "Rapture Ruckus"(2010) was nominated for a Dove Award for Best Rap/Hip Hop Album.
Headed by Brad Dring, they have been a headline act at Parachute Music Festival
Parachute music festival
The Parachute Music Festival is a Christian music festival held annually at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand.The festival is run by Parachute Music and lasts for four days and three nights. 'Parachute' is the Southern Hemisphere's largest Christian music festival, primarily...
several times and now in the US at Jesus Jam, Creation Festival
Creation Festival
Creation Festival consists of two annual, four-day Christian music festivals held in the United States. According to www.Creationfest.com, the festivals have become the "Nation's Largest Christian Music Festivals." This is in reflection to Creation Northeast being known to attract 100,000...
, Sonshine Festival
Sonshine Festival
Sonshine Festival is a Christian music festival held annually in Willmar, Minnesota, usually the second weekend in July. It features Christian musical artists from the United States and around the world. The festival is a member of the Christian Festival Association.A secondary function of the...
and Three Rivers Festival
Formation and Rapture Ruckus (2001-2005)
In 2001 a then 18 year old Brad Dring struggling with a drug addiction and his own passion for music was trying to find purpose in life. One day while high on the back seat of his friends car he was challenged on where his life was headed. He headed to church and committed his life to God. Refocusing his passion for music Brad Partnered with Doug Aitofi he formed Rapture Ruckus. They recorded a 9 Track album of the same name and released it through a local Wellington indie Label. They became a fast success and were soon signed with Parachute Records. The album sold the most units ever recorded up to that point at the Parachute Music festival that year. They proceeded to become a popular support touring act with larger Christian bands around New Zealand.I Believe (2006-2007)
In Early 2006 Rapture Ruckus released a limited edition EP for their Album called Rapture Ruckus EP, the EP sold well and built up anticipation among fans for the eventual release of the album.In late 2006 they released their much anticipated album I Believe spawning the hit Singles "Freight Train," "Lose Control," and "I Believe." The album pushed them into international success with breakthroughs in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and won them the Best Gospel/Christian Album at the New Zealand Music Awards
New Zealand Music Awards
The New Zealand Music Awards show, is a major annual New Zealand music event where musical acts and singers are awarded each year. It has occurred every year since 1965 to outstanding New Zealand musicians and groups....
. A Music Video for Lose Control was posted on YouTube in 2007 and some months later another Music video for "I Believe" was released online. Around this time Doug Aitofi left the group and Brad Dring continued the act as a soloist with the band as Backup.
Rapture Ruckus Live at World's End (2008)
In Early December 2008 Rapture Ruckus released their latest album, a live CD/DVD of their performance at Parachute Music festival 2008 titled "Rapture Ruckus Live at World's EndRapture Ruckus Live at World's End
Live At World's End is the 3rd album of the New Zealand Christian Hip Hop/ Rock band Rapture Ruckus. Released on 8 December 2008 the album it made a debut in the NZ Top 40 at #7 and #16 on the IMNZ independent chart. The album was a Live CD/ DVD of their performance at the Parachute Music festival...
". The Album had Two new singles "One" and "No Matter What," it made a debut in the NZ Top 40 at #7 and also made it to #1 on the Hip Hop page on NZ ITunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
.
The Album was well received and sold very well at stores around the Country and at the next years Parachute Music Festival. The DVD also features interviews with Brad Dring and other Ruckus Members as well as the Parachute records CEO.
Hold on / Rapture Ruckus (2009 - 2010)
In early 2008, Brad Dring confirmed that a new album was to be released inlate 2008. However the date was pushed back, and "Live at World's End" was released instead. At Parachute Music festival 2009, the Band performed two songs off the Album "Hold on" and "Catch Me Ridin'". In February and March Rapture Ruckus toured Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
with Parachute Band
Parachute Band
Parachute Band is a worship band from Auckland, New Zealand, formed out of the New Zealand-based Christian organisation Parachute MusicThe band makes pop/rock music and is currently in its second generation, with the current line-up regularly topping the mainstream MySpace NZ Music Charts for acts...
performing their new songs and beginning to build up anticipation for the upcoming album.
On November 4 he posted on his Twitter that the new Rapture Ruckus album was almost finished and on November 19 he confirmed that they were now mixing the new album.
On November 25 it was announced that Rapture Ruckus was being signed to BEC Recordings, a sub label of Tooth & Nail Records and that their upoming 4th studio album would be distributed throughout the US as a result of this. The band has confirmed that they are moving to Nashville USA and will be promoting their upcoming album throughout the US. They also confirmed that the album would be released in early 2010.
On January 29 at Parachute Music Festival 2010, the band released a limited edition EP labelled "Hold On
Hold On (Rapture Ruckus EP)
-External links:* * http://www.easterfest.com.au/...
" with 6 songs, "All We Got", "Tonight", "Hold On", "All Things New", "Catch Me Ridin'" and "No Matter What" as a taster for the new album to be released through BEC Recordings
BEC Recordings
BEC Recordings is a Christian rock record label that is a subsidiary of Tooth and Nail Records. The label was formed in 1997 in partnership with the EMI Christian Music Group....
in March 2010. Only 640 copies were released and all were sold within the first 24 hours of the festival. The EP charted at #7 on the NZ Top 40 albums chart and #1 on the NZ Independent albums chart.
On April 20 it was announced that the album would actually only be an EP and that it would be a US release of Hold On
Hold On (Rapture Ruckus EP)
-External links:* * http://www.easterfest.com.au/...
with a slightly different tracklisting and title "Rapture Ruckus". "Hold On" would be released fully in New Zealand on June 8 containing the same track listing as the original EP released at Parachute.
The Band has also confirmed that they will be touring with The Letter Black
The Letter Black
The Letter Black, formerly known as Breaking the Silence, is a Christian rock band that was formed in 2006 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The band consists of lead vocalist Sarah Anthony; her husband, lead guitarist and vocalist Mark Anthony; bassist Matt Beal; and drummer Taylor Carroll.-Early years...
in support of the album.
During the summer of 2010 the band toured New Zealand with Manafest
Manafest
Chris Greenwood better known by his stage name Manafest, is a Canadian Christian rapper and rock artist from Pickering, Ontario....
, Newworldson
Newworldson
Newworldson is a Canadian Christian pop/soul band. The band was formed in a jazz bar in downtown St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada and released its debut album, Roots Revolution, in 2006. Their musical style is very eclectic, but is principally soul music. The band is signed to Inpop Records and...
and New Empire
New Empire (band)
New Empire is an rock band from Sydney, Australia. The band members are Jeremy Fowler, Peter Gillies, Kale Kneale and Kyle Lane. They also have a touring member, Thom Williams.-History:...
as support acts followed by a tour labelmates "The Museum
The Museum (band)
The Museum is a Contemporary Christian music band from Atlanta, Georgia composed of Ben Richter , Geoffrey Ashcraft . Josh Kirk and Chris Brink...
" in February and March 2010. The album was nominated for a Dove Award in the category of Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year.
Open Your Eyes (2011)
In early 2011, Rapture Ruckus confirmed to fans that a new studio release was imminent later in the year through facebook and twitter and in June it was officially announced that their fourth full studio album would be released on September 27th, 2011.Current
- Brad Dring (Rapture Ruckus)- Vocals (2001–Present)
- Geoff Duncan - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, Studio Keyboard (2006–Present.) - Mike Aitofi - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(2010–Present). - Josh Stein - Drums (2011-Present).
Former
- Doug Aitofi- Backup Vocals (2001–2006)
- Caleb Robinson - Bass (2006–2008)
- Gio Lesa - Drums (2006–2010)
- Soane Tonga - DJ (2007- 2010.)
- Ross Nansen - Drums (2010–2011)
Albums
- Rapture Ruckus (2002)
- I Believe (2006)
- Rapture Ruckus Live at World's EndRapture Ruckus Live at World's EndLive At World's End is the 3rd album of the New Zealand Christian Hip Hop/ Rock band Rapture Ruckus. Released on 8 December 2008 the album it made a debut in the NZ Top 40 at #7 and #16 on the IMNZ independent chart. The album was a Live CD/ DVD of their performance at the Parachute Music festival...
(2008) - Open Your Eyes (2011)
EP's
- Rapture Ruckus Limited Edition EP (2006)
- Hold OnHold On (Rapture Ruckus EP)-External links:* * http://www.easterfest.com.au/...
(2010) - Rapture Ruckus (2010)
Singles
- I Believe
- Freight Train
- Lose Control
- No Matter What
- Tonight
- All Things New
- Hold On
- This Little Light
Guest appearances
- House of Breakthrough - Zero T
- Blown Away - Magnify
- On Fire - RAWSRVNT
- Joshua Early