Rip has been on the hip hop scene since the early 90s, writing/producing/breakin/scratchin/smokin/ and creating/hosting the local hip hop night since 1997/and the original/1st Shambhala Music Festival; hip hop host/DJ/emcee while bouncing from club ta club, with well over 1500 live shows! All the while keeping a steady following with the likes of DJ Adept, Jonny B, and DJ Switch, who were known as the Loki crew, Nelson’s first hip hop crew. Years later joining forces with Cypha.nex, DJ Digs, VS, and State of Mind, and then producing/DJing for Deeper than Bottomless, Payne, Junkie Juggler, and Depths (WT recs). We toured canada 3 times in the early 2000s with our album Iron Soul Poetry, with Abstract Rude and the ATU team. Rip can also be found killin’ it with the likes of, Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, Zion-I, Busdriver, Atmosphere, The Beatnuts, Del the Funky Homosapian, Blackalicious, Lyrics Born, Buku One, Killa Kela, Mike Relm, Stylust & Emotionz, Freshcoast, Mat The Alien, Awol One, Masta Ace, Cunninglyngiusts, Wordswerth, & 2LIVE CREW!!!! Just to name a very FEW!!

Rippel is now on a solo trip, makin’ and producin’ all his own music as well as beats for other emcees and singers with a conscious vibe that the Kootanays creates. He has produced more than 100 beats for hip hop artists all around Canada, and is now kickin’ down doors as a truly live party rawkin DJ/emcee in the bassface scene, rawkin hip hop/reggae dub bass from Canada to Mexico. Recently becoming a member of Dubstep Mexico, bridging the gap between west coast Canada bass and dub Mex..

You’ll be sure to see more of his diverse reggae/hip hop/dub style, on his soundcloud or add the Don Rippel on Facebook or join him @ Finleys in Nelson every 2nd thursday for hip hop night!