| Renegade: The Long Way Renegade was born in Helsinki, Finland. He started his musical carrier with playing drums with the Lauttasaari High School (Lauttasaaren Yhteiskoulu) big band. He joined also other jazz & funk & swing playing bands including the "In Deep" and "RMY" releasing some independent singles and a sigle for Johanna Label. When reggae was introduced in Finland more widely in the late 70's he started to study the drumming styles of Sly Dunbar, Leroy Wallace and Carlton Barret. Because of the lack of other reggae musicians it was only 1978 when the first real reggae band was formed in Finland although some attempts of introducing reggae were made before this time. The first Finnish reggae band was called "Soon Come" and in addition to Renegade (that time known better as "Babylon Burning" and "Ranking Carl") the original members included Spud "Underwall" Jussila (Bass), Timo "Skank" Loikkanen (Guitar), Yki "Reggae George" Buckbee (Guitar & Keyboards) and Esko "Isaacs" Nivala (Lead Vocals).The band was loosely connected to Daddy T-Roy's Black Star reggae import and production company receiving guidance and advice directly from the now late T-Roy. Also prominent reggae personalities like Juha "Maple" Vaahtera was part of the legendary Black Star Possee. (Simultaneously with "Soon Come" there was also a Lahti based "The Levitators" band active and releasing independently.) Despite of the popularity of "Soon Come" it never managed to release recordings due the small commercial interest to Finland based English lyrics reggae. (The only reggae band that signed recording contract at that time was the Tampere based "Top Ranking Eric And The Astronauts In Babylon" but they performed in Finnish.) Alongside studying different drumming styles of various reggae drummers and creating his own unique kick drum driven style, Renegade A.K.A Rappa Rene also studied the "DJ style" or "toasting". You can hear his early toasting in some still unpublished recordings of Soon Come still strongly influenced by artists like Mickey Dread or U-Roy. |
Round the end of 1984 Rappa Rene recorded a version of Sammy Dread's "She Run Come Call Me" playing all instruments and performing all lyrics including a DJ version called "Cowboy Stylee". This still unreleased recording displays already mature toasting with exceptional sense of "style" and it generated some international interest. (Tough Jet Star refused to release it due some copyright conflict with Junjo Lawes's Volcano label.) |
Year 1994 was the birth year of the so far most exceptional and successful Finland based reggae band: The Saganor. Renegade was one of the founders of the band with Mike Thomas (Bass), Ron Hardy (Perc.) Mohammed Quiat (Vocals), Zulu Sepp�l� (Guitar) and Tapa (Killer) Mattila (Keyboards). The Saganor became quickly the number one and in some unforgettable gigs when supporting international reggae stars like The Itals and Culture managed to "kill" the main act on stage. It was during this time when Renegade visited Jamaica twice and played and preformed in various locations in Jamaica including De Buss in Negril with some rising local reggae stars like Pantalon, Jah Love, Electric Dread among others. After participating in a talent contest with tunes "A1 Class", "Road Block" and "Way Down In Africa" he was on the spot offered a recording and management contract by a Canada based company, but he refused the bid because he wanted to sustain his independence as an artist, or like he says: "I know bout this recording business, I rather walk my own way and sing where and when I want to sing." When Saganor split late 1997 and Mohammed Quiat AKA Momo (the talented lead vocalist) signed a contract with Sony's Dance Label and started his solo carrier, Renegade formed a new band following a new concept. He had developed his musician skills gradually along the years and also mastered the midi. The new band consisted of three top class singers and Rappa Rene as the toaster. The singers were D-Flavour (Dom), Ezza (TNZ) and Marc (JAM). Renegade produced the riddims and the concept and the singers were responsible of the songs. The band performed in only few occasions but the response of the audience was immediate. Sweet harmonies, catchy lyrics and unmistakable DJ style of Renegade formed an unique experience to the listeners. During year 2004 Renegade was performing with THE SUHINATORS band alongside Papa Zai, Nesta and PeeJay AKA Puppa J. Suhinators established it self quickly. some of the high lights of the year were Reggae Fi Rescue concert in Tavastia Club and action packed evenings in Telakka Club, Tampere. Read what FACES festival writes about Suhinators here The first half of 2005 Renegade spent in Australia, returning for summer and gigs with the Suhinators band. The cooperation with Renegade and Suhinators continues year 2007 still alongside Puppa J., Nestori and Prince Levi. This vocal trio has become the standard front line not only for the Suhinators band, but this performance also constitutes the first line of attack of the high energy reggae in Finland. |
| In the year 1985 Renegade joined forces with the Lahti based Levitators band and released a track on the Levitators famous compilation album "Take A Ride". The track "New Stylee" performed under the name "Sir Rappa Rene" was a small hit in the tiny reggae community of Finland. Early 90's Renegade joined "The Levitators" on more steady bases toasting and playing drums. The band created wide interest performing with Jimmy Cliff among others. You can listen to Renegade under the name "Rappa Rene" on the independent singles "Sound Next Door" and "Never Grow Old" by Sir Skeleton and Massive Ossie. |
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