Rapaport - Rain Clouds
Single Release
Out Oct 1st through Big Village Records
Rapaport weathers the storm in barefaced love rap, ‘Rain Clouds’.
Rapaport’s latest single Rain Clouds is a weighted blanket for your ears. His uncomplicated flow pulses over a self-produced soul-hip hop beat which nods to UK Jazz lords Tom Misch and Oscar Jerome.
‘Rain Clouds’ follows on from Rapaport’s previous single ‘Dodo’ released in April 2021. Although contrasting in tempo and tone to Dodo’s grime production and charged delivery, both tunes showcase luminous concepts, deft flow, and candid storytelling. ‘Rain Clouds’ deals with the joys and the strains of supporting friends, family and people you love in times of need.
Rapaport handles vocals, production, guitars and keys, with long time collaborator Josh Ahearn (HELU, The Sticks, Sketch The Rhyme) on bass. The song is mixed and mastered by Jack Prest. Rapaport plans to launch ‘Rain Clouds’ with his live band of Josh Ahearn and Matt Lamb later in 2021
‘Rain Clouds’ features on Rapaport’s forthcoming Dodo EP due out late 2021 through Big Village Records.
BIO
Rapper, guitarist, producer, Rapaport (He / Him) articulates personal thought bubbles, survival mantras and opaque moments through a sound influenced by grime, art rap, jazz and soul. Dense lyrics, dry humour, electric guitars dripped in reverb and a slapping drum break are most of his favourite things. Rapaport lives and creates on Gadigal Land.
For over 15 years Rapaport has been leaving his mark on Australian grime & hip hop. He has released two solo albums, Village Idiot (2018), Laughing On The Inside (2008), and two albums with hip hop group Loose Change, Self Titled (2010) and Listening Party (2013). He was nominated for Best Song at FBi Radio SMAC Awards in 2017 for ‘What I Got’ and was a Winner of the Triple J Unearthed NIDA competition for Loose Change’s ‘Grown Up’ Ft. Jeswon (Thundamentals) in 2013. In 2018 he was the main support for Butterfingers 13 date National Tour.
Joel Rapaport is the co-founder & managing director of record label ‘Big Village Records’ which launched the careers of Tuka (Thundamentals), True Vibenation, Ellesquire & Suburban Dark and had critically acclaimed releases from Mathas & Omar Musa.
Press
“You know when it's new Rapaport that it's gonna be a locked down bars fest. Dude got the track buzzing here. Four Stars” - Dodo Single Review, Dave Ruby Howe – Triple J Unearthed, May 2021
“A+ storytelling on silken production.” - Steph Hughes Triple J Unearthed, 2/2/2018
“…the musicianship, dynamics, rhythms and sheer multi-tasking ability of the Rapaport duo was staggering…an intimate and fascinating set for music lovers and musicians alike. Rapaport and his astounding drummer Finn were unparalleled in their tightness.” - The Haze Mag, April 2018
“A rapid-fire tongue and some great messages … country twang in the riff, two-step beats and rap? I don’t really believe my ears or eyes.” - Scene Str, 16/4/2018
“Rapaport’s unassuming stature didn’t prepare the audience for the onslaught of fire and ferocity of his rhymes.” - Gigamov, 14/4/2017
“Rapaport of Big Village doth return with a grimey new single, FAM, … Rapaport nailing his signature flow and sharp-as-a-tack lyrics.” - Pile Rats, April 2018
“Rapaport’s lyricism is kept tidy and smart, sticking to simple repeated phrases and plays on words... What I Got employs diverse instrumentation including sporadic guitars and vintage-style sampling in a way that brings to mind the musical and vocal stylings of RATBOY.”
– AAA Backstage, Oct 2016