Rapture Ruckus was a
Christian hip hop
Christian hip hop (originally gospel rap, also known as Christian rap, gospel hip hop or holy hip hop) is a subgenre of contemporary Christian music and hip hop music. It emerged from urban contemporary music and Christian media in the United S ...
and
rock
Rock most often refers to:
* Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids
* Rock music, a genre of popular music
Rock or Rocks may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...
band from
Wellington
Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by me ...
, New Zealand signed to
BEC Recordings
BEC (Brandon Ebel Company) Recordings is a Christian rock record label that is an imprint of Tooth & Nail Records. The label was formed in 1997 in partnership with the EMI Christian Music Group.
The label promotes bands with more adult Christia ...
. They have released four albums: ''Rapture Ruckus'' in 2002, ''I Believe'' in 2006, ''
Rapture Ruckus Live at World's End
''Live At World's End'' is the third 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 C ...
'' in 2008, and ''
Rapture Ruckus
Rapture Ruckus was a Christian hip hop and 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 ...
'' in 2010 as debut album with BEC Recordings. ''I Believe'' won an award for Best Gospel/Christian Album at the
New Zealand Music Awards
The Aotearoa Music Awards (previously called the New Zealand Music Awards), conferred annually by Recorded Music NZ, honour outstanding artistic and technical achievements in the recording industry. The awards are among the most significant that ...
, ''Rapture Ruckus Live at World's End'' debuted at No. 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
Creation Festival, commonly shortened to Creation, is an annual four-day Christian music festival in the United States. According to its organizers, it is the "Nation's Largest Christian Music Festival." Average attendance is between 50,000 an ...
,
Sonshine Festival
Sonshine Festival was a Christian music festival held annually, starting in 1982 in Willmar, Minnesota and continuing in that location through 2014. That same year, festival organizers announced its relocation to Somerset, Wisconsin for 2015 onward ...
Three Rivers Festival and Festival One.
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 friend's 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 and 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. Produced and written by Brad Dring and longtime collaborator Geoff Duncan, the album spawned 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
The Aotearoa Music Awards (previously called the New Zealand Music Awards), conferred annually by Recorded Music NZ, honour outstanding artistic and technical achievements in the recording industry. The awards are among the most significant that ...
. 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 End
''Live At World's End'' is the third 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 C ...
''. The Album had Two new singles "One" and "No Matter What," it made a debut in the NZ Top 40 at No. 7 and also made it to No. 1 on the Hip Hop page on NZ
ITunes
iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mul ...
. 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 in
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
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
and
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
with
Parachute Band
Parachute Band was a Christian worship band from Auckland, New Zealand, formed out of the New Zealand-based organisation Parachute Music.
The band made pop/rock music and spanned over two generations of musicians.
1995–2006
The first Parac ...
performing their new songs and beginning to build up anticipation for the upcoming album.
On 4 November he posted on his Twitter that the new Rapture Ruckus album was almost finished and on 19 November he confirmed that they were now mixing the new album.
On 25 November 2009 it was announced that Rapture Ruckus was being signed to BEC Recordings, a sub label of
Tooth & Nail Records and that their upcoming 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 29 January at Parachute Music Festival 2010, the band released a limited edition EP labelled "
Hold On
Hold On may refer to:
Music Albums and EPs
* ''Hold On!'' (album), by Herman's Hermits, 1966
* ''Hold On'' (Trapeze album), or the title song, 1978
* ''Hold On'' (High Inergy album), 1980
* ''Hold On'' (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album), 1987
* ...
" 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 (Brandon Ebel Company) Recordings is a Christian rock record label that is an imprint of Tooth & Nail Records. The label was formed in 1997 in partnership with the EMI Christian Music Group.
The label promotes bands with more adult Christia ...
in March 2010. Only 640 copies were released and all were sold within the first 24 hours of the festival. The EP charted at No. 7 on the NZ Top 40 albums chart and No. 1 on the NZ Independent albums chart.
On 20 April 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 may refer to:
Music Albums and EPs
* ''Hold On!'' (album), by Herman's Hermits, 1966
* ''Hold On'' (Trapeze album), or the title song, 1978
* ''Hold On'' (High Inergy album), 1980
* ''Hold On'' (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album), 1987
* ...
with a slightly different track listing and title "Rapture Ruckus". "Hold On" would be released fully in New Zealand on 8 June 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, formerly known as Breaking the Silence, is an American 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 Ant ...
in support of the album.
During late 2010, the band toured New Zealand with
Manafest
Christopher Scott Greenwood (born July 19, 1979), known by his stage name Manafest, is a Canadian Christian rapper and rock artist from Pickering, Ontario, Canada. He has won multiple awards for the GMA Canada Covenant Awards, GMA Dove Awards, ...
,
Newworldson
Newworldson is a Canadian Christian pop/soul band based in St. Catharines, Ontario. Their musical style is very eclectic, but is principally soul music. The band is signed to Inpop Records and has toured extensively with the Newsboys. The band h ...
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.
Open Your Eyes (2011–2012)
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 27 September 2011. The album debuted at No. 11 in New Zealand before peaking at No. 9; it was nominated for a New Zealand music award for "Best Christian Album". The band also announced a 2012 tour with Family Force 5.
Invader Vol. I & Invader Vol. II (2013–2020)
In 2013, Rapture Ruckus announced via their Facebook page that they wanted their fans' help to fund two new albums and a music video. Their fans worldwide quickly met the amount, and frontman Brad Dring announced the two fan-funded projects would be dubbed "Invader Vol. I and II". The band had previously released one single at
Parachute Festival 2013, "In Crowd". The band re-recorded the song for studio release in the first album, and Invader Vol. I was released on 25 February 2014. The release of the album was accompanied by a music video for In Crowd, featuring
Soul Glow Activatur
FF5 (formerly known as Family Force 5, The Phamily, Ground Noise and The Brothers) is an American Christian rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. The band formed in 2005 by brothers Solomon "Soul Glow Activatur" Olds, Joshua "Fatty" Olds, and Jacob " ...
, formerly of
Family Force 5
FF5 (formerly known as Family Force 5, The Phamily, Ground Noise and The Brothers) is an American Christian rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. The band formed in 2005 by brothers Solomon "Soul Glow Activatur" Olds, Joshua "Fatty" Olds, and Jacob " ...
. Invader Vol. II was released 7 April 2015. They recently released a new single, "Volcano", featuring Swedish artist
Jonathan Thulin
Jonathan Andreas Thulin (born May 7, 1988), also known as Andreas Moss since his switch to pop music, is a Dove Award Nominated, Swedish recording artist and songwriter. He is best known for his singles "Dead Come to Life", featuring Australian ...
.
They opened for The Newsboys' "We Believe" tour in 2014. They also came back to New Zealand to headline Ulbricht Management's "Worship Experience II" in Auckland. They are scheduled to come back to New Zealand in January 2015, to headline Ulbricht's Cloud Festival at the
QBE Stadium
North Harbour Stadium is a stadium situated in Albany, in North Shore City, New Zealand. It was opened in 1997, after nearly a decade of discussion, planning and construction. Rugby union, association football, rugby league, and baseball are a ...
.
The band had their final show at Festival One 2020.
Members
* Brad Dring (Rapture Ruckus) – vocals (2001–2020)
* Geoff Duncan – guitar, keyboard (2006–2020)
* Josh Stein – drums (2011–2020)
* Doug Aitofi – backup vocals (2001–2006)
* Rob Oliver – DJ (2003–2007)
* Caleb Robinson – bass (2006–2008)
* Gio Lesa – drums (2006–2010)
* Soane Tonga – DJ (2007–2010)
* Ross Nansen – drums (2010–2011)
* Mike Aitofi – bass (2010–2013)
Discography
Albums
* ''Rapture Ruckus'' (2002)
* ''
I Believe'' (2006)
* ''
Rapture Ruckus Live at World's End
''Live At World's End'' is the third 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 C ...
'' (2008)
* ''
Open Your Eyes'' (2011)
* ''
Invader
''InVader'' is the fourth album by Finnish glam metal band Reckless Love, released on 4 March 2016 through Spinefarm Records.
Track listing
All songs written by Olli Herman, Pepe Reckless, and Ikka Wirtanen, unless otherwise noted.
Reception
Wr ...
'' (2015)
EPs
* ''Rapture Ruckus'' limited edition EP (2006)
* ''
Hold On
Hold On may refer to:
Music Albums and EPs
* ''Hold On!'' (album), by Herman's Hermits, 1966
* ''Hold On'' (Trapeze album), or the title song, 1978
* ''Hold On'' (High Inergy album), 1980
* ''Hold On'' (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album), 1987
* ...
'' (2010)
* ''
Rapture Ruckus
Rapture Ruckus was a Christian hip hop and 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 ...
'' (2010)
* ''
Invader Volume 1'' (2014)
* ''Invader Volume 2'' (2015)
Singles
* "I Believe"
* "Freight Train"
* "Lose Control"
* "No Matter What"
* "Tonight"
* "All Things New"
* "Hold On"
* "This Little Light"
* "In Crowd"
* "In This Together"
* "Mindfield"
* "Volcano"
Guest appearances
* Creation Festival
* ''House of Breakthrough'' – Zero T
* ''Blown Away'' – Magnify
* ''On Fire'' –
Rawsrvnt
* Joshua Early
* FLOOD: A Christian event located in North America, USA, Indiana, La Porte at the Civic Auditorium – Ethan Smith
*
Acquire the Fire events throughout America
* "Worship Experience II" with
Lecrae
Lecrae Devaughn Moore (born October 9, 1979), mononymously known as Lecrae, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record and film producer, record executive, actor, and entrepreneur.
He is the president, co-owner and co-founder of the ind ...
.
* "Cloud Festival"
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
BEC Recordings artists
New Zealand hip hop groups
Christian hip hop groups
Performers of Christian hip hop music
Musical groups established in 2001
Rap rock groups