Wallace Wilson AKA Red Rat was born January 17th into a musical family in tourist area of St. Anns Bay, Jamaica. Incredibly, his first performance was at the age of four, “My brothers used to play in the hotels. They called me onstage and I started singing a Michael Jackson song, yeah ‘ABC!’ The audience went wild and Red Rat was hooked.|Red Rat’s recording debut “Can’t Live Without You” with his brother’s band brought him to the attention of Danny Browne the producer/musician CEO of Main Street Records. Impressed by the young performer’s musical abilities and natural stage charisma, Browne mentored Red Rat allowing him to nurture his talent and gain valuable experience alongside Main Street artists such as General Degree, Buccaneer and Papa San.
While still in school Red Rat recorded his first single “Itsy Bitsy” for Browne’s Main Street Records, however on his father’s insistence he decided to put his career on hold until completing his education. In 1996 after graduating from Meadowbrook High Red Rat under the watchful eye of Browne moved full steam ahead releasing a string of hit singles including “Shelly-Ann” and “Dwayne” that catapulted him to the top of Reggae charts Worldwide while showcasing his unmistakable voice, unique sense of humor and his unforgettable trademark “Oh-No!” |Red Rat’s debut album “Oh No…It’s Red Rat!” quickly became one of Greensleeves Records greatest selling with hits such as “Tight Up Skirt”, “Cruise” (featured in the movie ‘The Big Hit’) and “Big Man Little Yute” with fellow Main Street artist Goofy. The album’s success, steady radio play and demand for his outrageous live performances led to shows all over the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and beyond.
“I’m a Big Kid Now” followed in 1999 with yet more hits and critical acclaim. His musical diversity and mainstream popularity led to a series of collaborations with artists such as Treach of Naughty by Nature, Kele Le Roc, Renee from Zhane, NEXT and British icons Groove Armada. Especially close to Red Rat’s heart was a poem by Tupac that he arranged and performed for a tribute CD. Following the success of his sophomore album Red Rat decided to take a break from recording to spend time with his daughter Taiye while producing other artists.|The buzz from fans anticipating a new album inspired Red Rat to return to the studio where he hit upon a winning formula, combining dancehall flavors with a more commercial sound. Red Rat and manager Delroy Escoffery of D’Empire Management formed Rat-A-Kastle Records and immediately began recording new tracks in The Netherlands, Germany, the U.K., Jamaica and the U.S. with chart-topping producers including Salaam Remi, Kay Gee, Cool and Dre and Curtis Lynch Jnr. Red Rat has once again redefined his style with a new chic look, a crisp attitude, and a sizzling new website redrat.com ยท |
