Don’t mistake Ratking for one of your run of the mill hip-hop groups. They’re a live band, and it’s their performances in and around the underground venues of New York that put them on the map. Ratking has gathered a significant following in the five boroughs, and despite their lack of typical hip-hop ethics, have proved to be major innovators in the rap game. Wiki’s incredible agility and aggressive energy is something truly remarkable to witness; combine that with Hak’s contrasting smooth-like-butter flow, and you’ve got an impressive melding of minds. Add Sporting Life’s eclectic beats into the mix and you’ve got one of the sickest live rap groups in the city right now. On top of all that, they release their music and support their compatriots through their own record label, Letter Racer. They’re playing at SOB’s next Monday (8/04), don’t miss the show. – Jake Saunders
