(RAS) Riders Against the Storm is a musical movement in Austin, TX that can only be described as ‘historic.’ As recent recipients of ‘Band of the Year’ honors at the 2014 and 2015 Austin Music Awards, Chaka and Qi Dada (husband and wife) represent a significant first in the ‘Live Music Capital.’ Over the past 32 years, hip hop has never received the top honor at the annual awards show. Winning the title twice in a row is an accomplishment shared by only a handful of bands, including: Spoon, and Los Lonely Boys.
As comfortable in small intimate venues as they are on large festival stages, RAS transforms every audience they reach with a refreshing magic and flair that few possess today. In everything they touch, ceremony scrapes the floor and atmosphere – hopping through, from seam to seam, cloaked in their own ideas of regalia and change, Riders Against the Storm cast out invitations to world – come and party. From beginning to end, audiences need to get ready for what Deborah Senguptah Stith (Austin American Statesman music writer) calls a ‘post-milennial second-coming of George Clinton’s mothership.’
Aside from headlining many shows throughout the country, RAS has opened for national recording acts, including: K’Naan, KRS-ONE, Wu-Tang Clan, Raekwon, Talib Kweli, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), Slick Rick, Pharoahe Monch, Dam Funk, Nas, Rakim, Damian Marley, ?uestlove (of The Roots), Jean Grae, Antibalas, Devin the Dude, The Coup, Michael Franti, Dead Prez, The Geto Boys, George Clinton, and Kid Sister.
