Rap Ireland Magazine is Ireland's only Urban Music Magazine.
History
Rap Ireland is one of the most established names in the Irish Hip-Hop industry. Ireland's top selling Hip-Hop publication, Rap Ireland Magazine has been on the shelves just over 3 years.
Rap Ireland magazine was founded in 2004 under the name "Hip-Hop Ireland" by Kev Storrs. The magazine initially focused on upcoming Irish Hip-Hop artists while also interviewing underground artists from abroad. As the magazine grew in notoriety Rap Ireland began to secure high profile interviews and consistently sell impressively, due to the efforts of the dedicated street team and specialist stores.
In late 2004 Rap Ireland enlisted the talents of Tim Dogg and DJ Frank Jez to lend their support to the growing movement. As the magazines content and reputation developed further, Easons agreed to distribute the magazine nationwide, bringing Rap Ireland to regions that never knew Hip-Hop in Ireland existed.
This has been a period for rapid growth with the company expanding into various other areas of the music industry including artist management and event promotion.
Magazine
Rap Ireland Magazine is released monthly nationwide in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Designed by the award-winning 3Style Productions, the magazine has doubled in page count and tripled sales in the past 12 months. With an impressive team of writers which includes FM104's Tony D and Frank Jez, former Westcoast editor of The Source Adisa Banjoko, alongside the best writings from local Hip-Hop lovers the content of the magazine is of the highest quality. Submissions and Subscriptions are always welcome and should be forwarded to [email protected]
Club Nights
Rap Ireland club nights have become some of the most successful and enjoyable witnessed in Ireland for many years. Merging the talents of Rap Ireland's roster of DJs and live performers with the credibility of the brand name has ensured ever-growing turnouts to these events.
Rap Ireland screamed onto the scene in June 2005 with a sold out launch party at Dublin's Hub Nightclub and have since gone on to host official parties and shows for the likes of MOP, Whoo Kid, Bigg Steele, DJ Cokee and G-Unit. Regular club nights have resulted, with weekly events in K3, Mischief and Sub Lounge over the last number of months. The success of these events has largely been attributed to the stage experience of performing shows with some of Hip-Hops biggest names.
Lethal Bizzle performs "POW" at Rap Ireland Party
In the last year the Rap Ireland team have performed onstage with Nas, Snoop Dogg, The Game, Ja Rule, Black Eyed Peas and Lloyd Banks. In previous years Rap Ireland's DJs have opened shows for the likes of Destiny's Child, Eve, DMX, Eminem, D12, Kelis, Mark Ronson, Guru, Obie Trice, Xzibit, Dilated Peoples, Beenie Man, Cypress Hill and Rahzel.
Rap Ireland support Rihanna at RDS Simmonscourt
Rap Ireland & Rihanna RDS Simmonscourt (Day 2)
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Rap Ireland Team
Kev Storrs - CEO/Founder
P Diddy & Kev Storrs
Kev Storrs is the Irish Hip-Hop entrepreneur. Founder and CEO of Rap Ireland, Storrs founded the magazine off his own back in the winter of 2004, an investment that was both necessary and lucrative. At the time no outlet was available for Irish Hip-Hop talent to shine though this was soon to change with the introduction of Rap Ireland Magazine (originally published under the name Hip-Hop Ireland). Through the widespread popularity of the magazine, Rap Irelands name began to ring out in the streets and clubs and Kev turned his attention to finding a team to take it to the top. Enlisting the help of DJ Frank Jez (the infamous 3-hour mix DJ on FM104) and fellow Hip-Hop entrepreneur Tim Dogg (Timi Martins) Rap Ireland was on to a winner.
Kev Storrs with Xzibit & Macy Gray
Having launched the magazine at just 19 years of age, Kev Storrs was learning the ropes quickly and soon had established a strong readership thanks to a nationwide distribution deal with Easons Wholesale. With the advent of the magazine came the opportunity to move with some of the worlds most famous and respected rappers, which bred relationships that would lead to some of Irelands most successful Hip-Hop club nights ever. Before turning 21, Storrs was already throwing parties for the likes of 50 Cent and G-Unit, on the back of successful weekly slots in K3 and Mischief Nightclub. With exclusive club performances from the worlds most sought after rappers, Rap Ireland club nights were gaining a notoriety money cannot buy.
Kev Storrs with Pharrell Williams & J Prince
As the sun set on 2006, Rap Ireland CEO Kev Storrs had the beginnings of Irelands very own Hip-Hop empire. With both magazine and club nights growing in popularity, Storrs delved into the world of management, plucking the fresh sounding group The Elements from the abyss of Irish Hip-Hop and taking them under the Rap Ireland wing. It is hoped that with the combination of the groups raw talent and Rap Irelands industry contacts the door can finally be beaten down for Irish groups to progress. Already a firm favourite with visiting Hip-Hop artists, Kev Storrs star looks like it is only just beginning to rise.
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DJ Frank Jez - Head of Entertainment
DJ Whoo Kid & DJ Frank Jez
DJing in clubs since the late 1990s, Frank Jez has become one of the UK and Ireland's hottest Hip-Hop, R'n'B, Dancehall, Reggarton, Funk and Old School DJs.
Over the past 6 years has worked in many well known hot spots in Ireland and the UK such as Spirit Dublin, The Redbox, Crawdaddy, POD, Temple Theatre, Wrights Bar, Club Milk, Thompsons, Funk Base, The Radisson, Ice Dragon, Club M, The Point Theatre, Ambassador Theatre, Olympia Theatre, Vicar St and Sin Nightclub amongst others.
In 2003 he began a new primetime radio show on Dublin's FM104 on which he plays his infamous 3 hour mixes which lead him to be nominated for the PPI Radio Awards in 2004.
Frank has opened shows for the likes of Nas, Snoop Dogg, The Game, Ja Rule, Black Eyed Peas and Lloyd Banks, Destiny's Child, Eve, DMX, Eminem, D12, Kelis, Mark Ronson, Guru, Obie Trice, Xzibit, Dilated Peoples, Beenie Man, Cypress Hill and Rahzel.
Frank is currently head of Promotions at Rap Ireland Magazine, resident DJ at Spirit Nightclub and primetime radio DJ on FM104.
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Tim Dogg - Head of Advertising
Jeru Da Damaja and Rap Ireland's Tim Dogg
CEO of Xynx Inc, Organiser of Streetball and Advertising Manager at Rap Ireland Magazine, Tim Dogg's skills don't end at the boardroom. Lead artist in the group Staks, Tim Dogg (Timi Martins) is an accomplished MC and rapper. Working as hype man for Rap Ireland shows, Tim Dogg has brought his charismatic styles to audiences at numerous concerts such as Nas, Lloyd Banks and Black Eyed Peas. As part of Staks Tim Dogg has worked with the best in the Irish Hip-Hop scene and has numerous connections throughout the world, most notably in his native land of Nigeria.
Timi Martins with Kelis, and beside poster with The Game & Rap Ireland Concert
Bringing energy and enthusiasm, coupled with genuine skill, Tim Dogg has scaled the urban music industry with relative ease. The success of Streetball over the last 3 years has gained Martins a respect among his peers that is sought after by many. The young businessman, now in his mid-twenties, has many plans in the pipeline and through his position at Rap Ireland is hoping to open many doors for those following in his footsteps. With unquestionable ambition and drive, who knows where Tim Dogg will reach in his career.
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DJ Mo-K
A new addition to the Rap Ireland brand, DJ Mo-K joined the Rap Ireland ranks through his role as DJ for Irish rap crew The Elements. Former radio DJ on Dublin's Vibe FM, Mo has played some of the most renowned Hip-Hop clubs in Ireland including Shooters and Temple Theatre. Mo-K recently opened for Rap Ireland's debut night in The Market Nightclub in Limerick City. Such was the response to his set, the young DJ looks set to be headlining many shows in the coming months.
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DJ Tando
DJ Tando
The newest addition to the Rap Ireland ranks, DJ Tando is a firm club favourite. Playing regular slots in Dublins hottest venues, from Spirit to The Vaults, Tando has been on the club and mixtape circuit for many years. Independantly releasing mixtapes that have consistently sold well and a tireless grind on the club scene have earned the 21 year old DJ many fans and supporters.
Through Rap Ireland Tando has now expanded his market to Belfast, playing regularily in the most popular mid-week club Thompsons, alongside fellow Rap Ireland DJs Frank Jez and Ahmed.
With a new mixtape in the pipeline and shows flying at him as fast as he can handle, DJ Tando looks like a name to watch out for in the future. Long regarded as one of the tightest club mixers, Tando is on the rise.
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DJ Ahmed - Events & Promotions
DJ Ahmed & The Game
Twenty-four year old Ahmed Idris (aka DJ Ahmed) is the latest DJ signing to Rap Ireland. Despite DJing for just a short number of years, DJ Ahmed has advanced rapidly through the DJ ranks and established himself as one of Irelands most sought after Club DJs. Having performed throughout Ireland in diverse locations from Leitrim to Wexford, it is in the countrys capital city that Ahmed has built a sturdy reputation, regularly rocking crowds in the citys hottest nightspots. Through his weekly radio show on Pulse FM, DJ Ahmed has garnered an almost cult status among the youth of Dublin, which has led to sold out shows in the Ambassador Theatre (capacity 2,000) among others.
Blending Up-Beat RnB and commercial Hip-Hop, Ahmed has recently secured a place alongside fellow Rap Ireland DJ, Frank Jez, at Dublins Spirit Nightclub, with regular appearances in The Vaults and Mischief Nightclub bolstering the young mans already burgeoning portfolio. With Club Thompsons in Belfast taking a keen interest in the radio and club DJ, the UK is beginning to stand up and take note.
With his recent signing to the Rap Ireland brand (The Biggest Urban Magazine in Ireland), DJ Ahmed will be helping to provide news from the urban scene and help move both parties to another level.
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DJ Hix - Rap Ireland North
DJ Hix & DJ Premier
DJ Hix is one of the UK’s most exciting new DJ talents. Born in London and currently based in Belfast, Hix is generally regarded as one of the finest RnB DJs to ever come out of the island of Ireland. His sound stretches across RnB, HipHop, Soul music, but what makes him stand out from the rest is his ability to create a unique, party vibe whenever he plays, and he is renowned for making even the quietest crowds go crazy, cutting and scratching his way through anything that’s funky!
Hix has worked with some of the finest DJs and artists in the business, including DJ Cash Money, DJ Premier, Clinton Sparks, Rhymefest, Ryan Leslie, Fatman Scoop, Shortee Blitz, Steve Sutherland & Trevor Nelson to name just a few, as well as warming up for Jurassic 5 during their UK tour.
Hix is unquestionably the number one urban DJ in Northern Ireland, and is the top man in the urban club scene there. He is highly regarded by artists, DJs, agents, and record labels from all parts of the globe, and his infectious sound and distinctive DJ skills can be heard regularly filling the dancefloors of the hottest clubs in the land. He is also responsible for creating some of Belfast’s biggest and most respected clubnights, and bringing some extremely high-profile guests to them, some of which were never-before-seen in this part of the world.
Hix is also rapidly developing his career as a radio DJ. He is the first and only urban club DJ from Ireland to have a show on national UK radio, broadcasting on the mighty BBC 1Xtra.
His music selection of RnB, funky Hip Hop and Neo-Soul, along with his heavy mixing, has caused a big stir on the airwaves. The strong bond with 1Xtra continues, and he can be seen spinning at some of their hot live events, most recently at the 1Xtra Comic Relief party at a secret location in the heart of London.
Hix is also a music journalist, and writes for Blues & Soul Magazine, which is the longest running black music publication in the world with 40 years in the game, published fortnightly in the UK. The iconic magazine recently re-invented its entire brand, and Hix was asked to produce a podcast in honour of Blues & Soul’s 40th anniversary. The podcast turned out to be one of the sites most popular downloads, and is still available at www.bluesandsoul.com
The pace at which DJ Hix’s career continues to rise is increasing by the day, and 2007 is sure to see him reach even more new heights. There’s no doubt that DJ Hix is on a fast-track to becoming one of the top RnB club and radio DJs in the UK and through his signing to Rap Ireland he should prove unstoppable.
For further information contact : [email protected]
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