Ratpack

Ratpack was formed in 1985 by DJ Lipmaster Mark and MC Evenson Allen. Evenson Allen began as a DJ and vocalist for Locomotion Soul Sound, focusing on Reggae, Soul, and Hip Hop. Mark, a keyboard player and human beatbox, collaborated with Evenson by providing beats during his sets. The Acid House movement in 1989 marked a shift in their artistic direction. The duo started organizing their own warehouse parties. A pivotal moment occurred when a scheduled DJ failed to appear; Mark stepped in to DJ, and Evenson began engaging the crowd with singing and MCing. This spontaneous collaboration, which was unconventional at the time, established them as the UK rave scene’s first DJ/MC team, subsequently leading them to perform globally.

Over their career, Ratpack achieved significant recognition with hit tracks such as “Searching For My Rizla,” “Captain of The Ship,” and “Brothers/Sisters,” along with “The Old Skool Masters” Trilogy. Their career has involved continuous development, incorporating various music styles while maintaining their core identity. They are currently finalizing a new album, which features artists such as Baby D, Stephanie Smart, Nu Brand Flex & R1, and Secret Agent. The album will present a range of genres including House, Break-beat, Drum&Bass, and Dub-step, showcasing their musical adaptability. These achievements and adaptations have solidified their status as significant figures in dance music.

Ratpack has performed at numerous major events and venues, including Glastonbury, Moondance, Raindance, Trinity, The Warehouse Project, Fantazia, Global Gathering, and Ministry of Sound. Their international touring schedule has taken them to Australia, Japan, Canada, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Greece, Poland, USA, Ibiza, Mallorca, Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, and across Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. Their continued touring and releases demonstrate their ongoing impact and relevance within the global dance music community.