Kid rad
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| Kid Rad | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ross Alastair Dorrance |
| Born | 2 December 1990 |
| Origin | Birmingham, England |
| Genres | Hip-Hop House Music Electronica Drum n Bass |
| Instruments | vocals, synthesizer, drums |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | OYM Records (2005-2010) |
Kid Rad, also known as Ross Alastair Dorrance, is a British music artist, record producer and entrepreneur. He is most noted for his work with British singer/ songwriter Just Jack, as well as American rappers Masta Ace and Shade Sheist. He also holds the record for being the first British rap artist to perform live on BBC Radio 2.
His musical style is highly eclectic and is best described as a blend of Hip Hop, Electronica, House and DnB.
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[edit] Musical career
Kid Rad first started experimenting with music in his early teens, and before long, he started producing and recording songs on a small set up in his bedroom. By pure chance, these tracks were heard by a local record producer and label owner by the name of Peter 'Lunatrix' Jordan, who immediately signed him to his label, Occupy Your Mind Records, on a development deal.[1]
His first big break came in 2005 when he appeared live on HHB Radio, rapping alongside N Dubz. He impressed both the listeners on the show and also the group's management at the time, and former Mungo Jerry bassist, the late Byron Contostavlos.
Over the next two years, Kid Rad continued to develop his talent and began to incorporate other styles of music into his work. He released various singles with varying success, the biggest of which, "Signs", became popular within the UK grime scene and was featured on the internationally released compilation album UK State Of Mind.[2]
[edit] Debut album
In 2007, Kid Rad started work on his debut album, Disturbing The Sequence. The title was given to the project by the record's executive producer Peter 'Lunatrix' Jordan.
In December 2008, Kid Rad revealed on his Myspace that the album would be a blend of Hip Hop, Electronica, House and Drum and Bass, and that he had recently recorded collaborations with the likes of Just Jack, Masta Ace and Shade Sheist for the project.
The album was released on the 3rd of May 2010, and received largely positive reviews.
[edit] BBC 'Love Where You Live' campaign
As part of the BBC's 'Love Where You Live' campaign, Kid Rad performed three tracks from his debut album and was interviewed live on BBC Radio 2 on the 21st of May, 2009. In an exclusive interview with Janice Long, Kid Rad spoke about where he grew up, his first steps in music, and why his origins are still important to him. Two of the tracks performed ('I Begin To See' and 'It's You') were exclusive to this appearance and had never been heard before, with the final track being 'Across These Walls'. This made him the first British rap artist to perform live on the station in its 44 year history.[3]
[edit] Entrepreneurialism
Kid Rad set up his first music production/ songwriting company at the age of 17, which he described in various interviews as being his "bread and butter income" whilst studying at college.
He now owns and runs a successful music production, promotions and consultancy company (Kreative Entertainment Ltd), which is based in his home town of Burntwood, Staffordshire.
[edit] References
1. Interview with Peter 'Lunatrix' Jordan
2. Extract from Big Smoke magazine
3. BBC Radio 2's Love Where You Live Campaign
