Rah & The Ruffcats - Orile To Berlin Rah & The Ruffcats

Released: 12/07/2024

Berlin based Ruffcats are something of an institution. This eight-piece outfit made up of some of the country's most revered session musicians, pool all of their diverse influences and come together as "The Ruffcats" to create a unique take on the music they love. Rapturous Apollo Helios, better known as RAH, has been making a name for himself as one of Berlins' most outstanding rappers, songwriters and vocalists. Originally hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, RAH's music has always been influenced by his environment as well as a rich history of black music from hip hop to soul and, of course, Afrobeat.

The album, entitledOrile To Berlin, marks RAH's migration from the area he grew up in Lagos to the German capital he calls home today. It's an LP steeped in Afrobeat and Highlife but with funk sensibilities and a hip hop attitude. Produced by Jochen Ströh, producer for Ebo Taylor and Appia Kwa Bridge, mixing engineer for Pat Thomas and Kwashibu Area Band, it has a strong production pedigree. It represents the band's own version of Afrobeat within the unwritten laws of this music, and without trying to make a Fela Kuti copycat record.