| Raymzter | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Raymond Redouan Christiaan Rensen |
| Born | 1979 |
| Origin | Almere, The Netherlands |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | Virgin |
| Website | Raymzter.nl |
Raymond Redouan Christiaan Rensen a.k.a Raymzter (born 1979 in Almere, The Netherlands)[1] is a Dutch rapper.
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Raymzter was born in Almere to a Moroccan father and a Dutch mother.[1] He developed an interest in hip hop music early in life, after listening to a Public Enemy album he received from his aunt. He started writing song texts in English but later switched to Dutch. He starts creating his own beats and in 2000 he forms a band with Dominiq Dorwart (Dj-Do), Glenn Gaddum, Jason Chocolaad and Rowin Tetteroo. With this group he participates in the "Grand Prix of the Netherlands Talent Show" and they win the first place in category "hip hop". He also wins an MC battle Geen Daden Maar Woorden ('Not Words But Action'). He gradually starts making a name for himself in the Dutch hip hop scene.
In 2002, he contributes two songs to Compilation CD "Homegrown - Dope Dutch Hiphop Talent", Kaapwerk ('Capework') and Altijd Laat (Langverwacht Maar Toch Gekomen) ('Always Late (Long Expected But Arrived Anyway')). In June that year he wins the "Essent Music Award", earning him a gig at Lowlands festival. In September his first and highly-controversial single "Kut Marokkanen ??!" (Fucking Moroccans ??!) is released. The title is reference to Amsterdam alderman Rob Oudkerk's slip of the tongue and is his take on the country's swing towards right-wing populist politics after 9/11. Raymzter's full-length debut, Rayalistisch ('Rayalistic') comes out early 2003. Raymzter plays at the Noorderslag conference. Brainpower is prominently featured on the video to Down Met Jou. The debut album Rayalistisch is released in April. For the second consecutive year he performs at the Lowlands festival. Together with D-Men (Lange Frans & Baas B) and Opgezwolle Raymzter performs live in Amsterdam's Melkweg on the Rap4Right night, an educational project for third world youth. Raymzter's career seems to suffer from the huge popularity of rapper Ali B. Then in March Raymzter presents his second album Rayacties in Bitterzoet, Amsterdam. The album is recorded with producer/DJ Mass (Massimo Baudo). Late June hiphop movie Bolletjes Blues!, in which Raymzter plays a small part, is shot. Fusion flute player Chris Hinze contributes to the single/video Vechten Op Het Schoolplein ('Fighting At The School Yard'). The collaboration leads to a theatre tour by the two, dubbed Serieuzere Zaken ('More Serious Business'), featuring members from their respective bands plus Moroccan singer More Rajae el Mouhandiz.[2]
Albums
Singles
Compilations