Away from the stage, Rattex's calm and quiet demeanor belies the intense fire that burns deep within him. Rattex takes his name from a well-known brand of rat poison. Like the poison, Rattex is known to lyrically kill any rapper foolish enough to test him.
The dusty ghettoes of the Cape Flats are notorious around the world for their harsh conditions, rampant poverty and crime. These are conditions where only the strong and determined survive.
Music was one way for Rattex to escape the grim realities of ghetto life. In 1994, he formed Maniac Squad with MAD (Man After Dollar). Middle Finga and Saqwiti joined in 1995 to round off this now-legendary Khayelitsha super crew.
Rattex is now at the forefront of the new school of proudly South African rappers who understand that Hip Hop, more than any other musical art form, is about addressing important issues and representing where you're from. It is therefore not suprising that Rattex is one of the pioneers of the 'Spaza' movement, where lyrics are performed in a combination of isiXhosa, English and Cape Flats slang.
Rattex has always been a true Cape Flats soldier, representing Khultcha (Khayelitsha) wherever he performs. His music has also been on heavy rotation on community and campus radio stations (such as Zibonele, Bush Radio and UCT Radio) across Cape Town and the Cape Flats. Noteable performances include the Fire on the Mountain festival, Drudge Dialect II, the Hype Magazine Live Session and the Planetary Assault launch party. Rattex has also performed on Channel O's number 1 rated show, Mzanzi Ridez.
Rattex caught the attention of producer Dplanet with his blazing and controversial verse on Battle of the Sexes which appeared on the Drudge Dialect mixtape in 2006. Dplanet then featured Rattex on the Planetary Assault compilation album in 2007 where he killed verses on Township Storm and Imbadla Yez'rhumsha.
In 2008 Rattex signed with Pioneer Unit Records. His debut solo album, Bread and Butter was released in October 2008.
Rattex is also a talented actor. The highlight of his acting career so far was a starring role in a production of The Playground by Beverley Naidoo at the Polka Theatre in London, UK, in 2004.
"THE GOVERMENT"-RATTEX feat BEN SHARPA.
Check out RATTEX as he takes you on a journey through the streets of Khayelitsha, his KASI (Hood) is Cape Town, South Africa. Beat by NYAMBZ.
"STREETS"-RATTEX
RATTEX Album "BREAD AND BUTTER" IN STORES NOW..iTUNES
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