Artist description Fresh outta NYC.Hip Hop Music - Lyrical skills, word play, street-edged beats, combined with life experiences, intellect and the desire to entertain through musical originality - that is RAW TEXT. They balance the scales in order to maintain a traditional hip hop groove filled with universal sounds, culturally influenced instrumental riffs and deep "back seat of the jeep" bass lines. Blanketing the urban melodies are the words of two young New York lyricists, who pledge to change not only Hip Hop but also the world of music as a whole. According to the duo, the rhyme is the fun, the pain, the party and the struggle all intertwined in one unique art form. Hip Hop has allowed it's followers to express themselves, their personalities and their creative talents - RAW TEXT vows to do the same - UNIVERSALLY

Music Style HIP HOP

Musical Influences Anthony Spits – Rakim, Red & Meth as a duo. Ray Gusto – Fania All-Stars, Santana, Bob Marley, Rakim, KRS-One

Similar Artists A Tribe Called Quest, EPMD, Gangstarr

Artist History Following an ill-fated record deal with Ruffhouse/Columbia Records, Gusto decided to break away from a four-man group of M.C.'s to begin a solo career. He worked with several different producers in order to find the right sound for his music. After completing a number of projects, Ray still was not "feelin' the vibe."At the same time, Spits was building a foundation in a dark and dinghy, 40 bottled, smoke-filled basement "lab" with a crew of Yonkers and Bronx rappers. Droppin' freestyles over scratched up instrumentals spun by whoever wanted to touch the wax, and making home demos with an MS-1 sampler and a 4-track recorder was how it rolled. He decided it was to take it to another level and form a group with another Yonkers M.C., a local underground beat maker from the Bronx, and long time friend Ray Gusto. After six months, a demo, and a couple of local radio shows, differences separated the team, hence, the birth of RAW TEXT.RAW TEXT appeared in the October 4th, 1997 broadcast of It's Showtime at the Apollo's Amateur Night segment on NBC. They not only drew the attention of the 125th Street audience but also that of Jive Records A&R's. At the same time the duo also established themselves as members of Af the King's live, eclectic, hip hop band. Ray Gusto and Anthony Spits feature verses on Af the King's "Lovely" (ASHA Records), as well as add backing vocals, adlibs and hooks for Af the King's live performances. Not long after, RAW TEXT went back to the studio and built an arsenal of tracks to bring to the table. In March of 1999, TEXT hooked up with INFX Productions and went on to sign with ASHA Records.

Group Members Ray Gusto - Beats and Rhymes,Anthony Spits - Rhymes

Instruments Many

Albums Debut album "NEVER JUDGE A BOOK" on www.ASHArecords.com. Available OCTOBER 2000.

Press Reviews Debut album "NEVER JUDGE A BOOK" on www.ashaRecords.com. Available March 2000. RAW TEXT has been playing often all over the NYC area at venues including: the Bitter End, the Spiral Lounge, Under Acme, CBGB’s, Downtime and many others. Appearances Include: It's Showtime at the Apollo, 88HipHopLive, On-Line TV, Intel Music Fest, Digital Music Fest - sponsored by MTV, The Butta Zone on WARY.

Location NYC, NY - USA

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