RAH & The Ruffcats – MoonSun

As one of the most sought after and technically sublime working bands in the German live music scene, Berlin based Ruffcats are something of an institution. This eight-piece outfit made up of some of the country’s most revered session musicians, pool all of their diverse influences and come together as Ruffcats to create a unique take on the music they love.

Since forming in 2007, and via their live jams at Bohannon Soul Club in Berlin, Ruffcats have found themselves acting as the backing band for artists such as Georgia Anne Muldrow, Sweet Charles, Lady Alma, Jaguar Wright, Miles Bonny & many more.

In the meantime, and for over a decade, Rapturous Apollo Helios, better known as RAH, has been making a name for himself as one of Berlins’ most outstanding rappers, songwriters and vocalists. Originally hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, RAH’s music has always been influenced by his environment as well as a rich history of black music from hip hop to soul and, of course, Afrobeat.

Since relocating to Berlin, RAH has made waves in the German capital with his weekly Swag Jam sessions. At these live events he has not only been able to show off his prowess as an exceptional MC and something of an improvisational genius, but also attract such luminaries as Erykah Badu and Bilal to join him on stage.

Having crowned his journey from Lagos to Berlin with the release of his debut album, How Far? in 2018, RAH began the next stage of his sonic adventure by hooking up with long-time friends, the Ruffcats band. Their first single together, the Curtis Mayfield influenced Shifting Sands, dropped the same year to huge acclaim, and it wasn’t long before both parties looked towards working on a larger project together. After a pause for the pandemic, their collaborative process really began to bear fruit, and they are now set to release their debut full length LP, Orile To Berlin, in July this year.

MoonSun is the second single to be taken from the forthcoming album, and it’s something of a change of pace from the more furious and provocative previous single, Agidi. The track opens with warm, sparkling guitars over a lazy, easy percussive backbeat that make way for sunny horns and sultry keys, before RAH’s heartfelt story unfolds. The track is an unashamed love song and RAH’s earnest delivery illustrates his desire to let the person in question know that his intentions are true and serious, and that he’s waited a long time for this moment and is ready to bring things to the next level. It’s an Afrobeat ballad delivered in the most genuine and touching way, and is a thing of beauty.

These recordings are just the start of RAH and The Ruffcats burgeoning relationship, with more music and live shows planned, including a German club tour kicking off in November this year.