Rizzle Kicks

Technically, Rizzle Kicks was founded in about 1996, when both members, in their miniature form, used to play together round Rizzle’s auntie’s house. It wasn’t until eight years later that the pair reunited after both moving to Brighton and facing each other head-on in a Sunday league football match. Four years later, they ended up going to the same college and one day Rizzle got Sylvester to ‘Lalala’ all over a track. They soon realised how nicely their styles fitted together. Rizzle was just finishing off his own mixtape, rapping over samples of some of their favourite artists (Gorillaz, Lily Allen, Arctic Monkeys etc) when they officially became Rizzle Kicks.As a newly formed duo, they started to hustle for beats from local producers and started making their own music videos with a friend of theirs.

Having finally been able to get into a proper studio with some talented producers, Rizzle Kicks recorded their debut album a mixture of pop and hip hop incorporating the fun elements of the old school hip-hop era. Stereo Typical, recalls the cartoon rap-pop and self-mocking goofing of the early-90s of Will Smith and Kid ‘n Play. Two skinny livewires in retro backwards baseball caps, they suggest a comedy duo trying their hands at hip-hop MC-ing, with their slick stagecraft bearing witness to their status as Brit School alumni. Backed by a full band including a trumpeter, they major in nifty wordplay, eclectic dance rhythms from ska to mariachi and a sheer, winning sense of mischievous exuberance. With a string of hits under their belt including Down with the Trumpets, Mama Do the Hump and When I Was a Youngster they know how to get the crowd hyped up. It is impossible to dislike this rap duo with their infectious energy. We are looking forward to seeing them return to Wakestock again in 2012.

Check out their website