Sprouting up from prairie roots running over 20 years deep, RationaL has slowly but steadily built upon a foundation of thick, layered drums, intricate sample arrangements and, of course, an unbridled passion for the pen. A career that started out in journalism for the independently published FEED magazine (Windsor, ON) has come full circle now as Rash is churning out exactly the type of music that he once wrote about.
R A . T I O N . A L
- Having or exercising the ability to reason.
- Of sound mind; sane.
- Consistent with or based on reason; logical: rational behavior.
March 30, 2010 marked the release of the official “Cocaine Cowboy” single and music video. Shot over a two-day span in the heart of downtown Saskatoon, the video was released to rave reviews and critical acclaim for its heart-wrenching visuals and storyline. Fast-forward to July 20, 2010 and the release of Hard Labor: The BirthWrite Prequel -- a polished, 6-song mixtape. Boasting features from Quannum Projects recording artist Pigeon John (Los Angeles, CA -- whose music was recently featured in the TV ad campaign for the all new 2011 Volkswagon Jetta) and Saskatoon super producer Factor (whose production credits include Hollywood actor and former Dr. Dre protégé Xzibit -- host of MTV’s award-winning Pimp My Ride reality television series). To top it off, September of 2010 saw the emcee embark on a 3-week tour through Kigali, Rwanda. Funded in entirety by the Saskatchewan Arts Board’s Culture on the Go pilot program, CTV news picked up on the artist’s journey airing a feature story on the tour. Crossing cultures, countries and boundaries with his music was an experience that Rash will never forget.
Enter: The BirthWrite LP -- geared for release in the second quarter of 2011. With a growing reputation for quality craftsmanship, Saskatoon hip-hop enthusiasts have anxiously awaited the 24-year olds debut full-length album. Having relished the opportunity of working with both Grammy and Juno award-nominated hip-hop artists, the passing of the torch is now. Hosting an energetic and interactive live-show, Rash has shared the stage with the likes of Pharoahe Monch (Brooklyn, NY), Zion I (Oakland, CA) and hip-hop super group -- not to mention Eminem’s newest signing to his own Shady Records label imprint - Slaughterhouse.
You’ve heard of reality TV? Welcome to reality music.