UK rapper/vocalist/producer Ratface has released his new "Gold Tones" mixtape ahead of a new EP release.Ratface spoke with Pindrop's Sebastian Reynolds and gave the following information about his background: I grew up around Swindon, where there wasn't much goin on.... politically an culturally backward, no real live music scene, an very little encouragement/support for original material or styles... bein a misfit in a hum drum workin town, coupled with general boredom drove me further an further into making my own music an made me not give a f**k about what people thought of it. a couple of years livin in Oxford exposed me to lots of new styles an people an form my first proper punk band the dead letters which gave me lots of live experience an confidence on stage. Bristol is my home now.... the underground squat scene gave me a platform for my early mash up Ratface styles, an taught me a lot about workin a crowd an wingin it. I have also been massively influenced by the dub reggae/bass culture here.
I'm inspired by the music of roots Manuva, J Dilla, Rza/Wu Tang, Atmosphere, Ab Soul(Black Hippy), Billie Holiday, The Clash, Riddim Force, Skinny Man, Buriel, Solo Banton, Soom T, Puppajim/Stand High Patrol, Sonnyjim
In a lot of ways punk, hip hop an reggae have a lot in common, because its all music of dissent, but the styles, fashion an codes associated with them can create barriers. Bristol has a history of cultural an musical mish mashes, so it's probably the best place to be for my sound. a lot of punk fans are suspicious of 'computer' music or music without live instruments, a lot of hip hop heads distrust anything outside the established barriers an favour more chilled traditional formats. as a musical obsessive of all styles I don't give a f**k about barriers/rules. I haven't consciously created a 'sound', but I think loosely Ratface now is based around a free thinkin an playful approach to punk attitude an energy, focused an smoothed out through the mc'ing an sampling culture of hip hop, with a healthy dose of dub thrown in. Check out the mix tape here.
