BIO
RAH
RAH is the imprint of Richard Adolphus Harrison, aka DJ RichSource.
RICHARD HARRISON, aka Rah Harrison is an American drummer, music producer, DJ and recording artist from the Bronx, New York. Mr. Harrison as a child exhibited innate abilities and was considered a musical prodigy with a remarkable sense of meter.
In 1970, at the age of 8, Richie Harrison began acting and was trained by Chip Fields, (the mother of actress Kim Fields) as part of the Al Fann Mini Ensemble. Mr. Harrison was initially cast to star in motion picture film “Claudine” with Lawrence Hilton Jacobs playing the role of Francis when tragedy struck and the lead actress, Diana Sands died during filming. The studio decided to scrap the original film and recast it with Diahann Carroll. By the time shooting had resumed Mr. Harrison had outgrown the role.
Later that year, Richie’s sister Linda took him to meet Mr. Michael Bonds who managed the band named “Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band.” During the band’s break Richie proceeded on stage and played the drums. Recognizing the natural talent of young Richie, Mr. Bonds encouraged him to continue perfecting his musical abilities.
Richie received his first drum set at the age of 9 for Christmas and started taking drum lessons at the age of 10. At age 12, Richie began freelancing as a drummer. That year his mother and maternal grandmother took him on vacation to Ocho Rios Jamaica, where they visited the Playboy Club Resort as a birthday present. While there he noticed the drums on stage and would began playing them. One day the house band’s drummer found Richie playing on his drum set. Not missing a step he began to teach the young Harrison techniques of playing Calypso as well as encouraging Richie to play with the band during their regular performances. This experience solidified the start of Mr. Harrison’s freelance drumming career, which lead him to back popular professional musicians across all musical genres.
Richie is best known for his work with Radiance, Jack Sass, James Chance and the Contortions, James White and The Blacks, Defunkt, Les Rita Mitsouko, Eye & I, Grandmaster Melle Mel and The Furious Five.
Richard Harrison’s Career
At the age of 15, Mr. Harrison began a mentor-ship with drummer Kenwood Dennard which facilitated his entry into the world of becoming a professional musician. Later that year the young Mr. Harrison performed on his first recording, “This Is A Party.” With the group Radiance and music director, James McNary (WARE Records). In 1980, Mr. Harrison played drums on the hit single “Much Too Much” on the “Sassified” album by the band Jack Sass.
Growing up in the Soundview section of the South Bronx during the time when legendary DJ battles between Grandmaster Flash and DJ Kool Herc paved the foundation of Hip Hop music, Richie’s ability to replicate the “get down” parts of records, led to an opportunity for him to play drums with Hip Hop legends, Grandmaster Melle Mel & the Furious Five. He also did the MCs first European tour.
At age 17, Richie began playing drums in the punk funk band, James Chance and the Contortions. Mr. Harrison toured with the band and performed on the albums “Live at Aux Bain Douches in Paris and “Live in New York.” Mr. Harrison also performed on-screen as a member of James White and The Blacks in the film Downtown 81. Invited by Joseph Bowie to join the punk- funk- jazz-fusion band, Defunkt (1981-82), recorded the remake “Strangle Me With Your Love” and “On the Razor’s Edge”. In 1983, Mr. Harrison appeared in the groundbreaking show “Gimme A Break.” On the episode entitled The Big Apple – Part 1 playing the role of the street drummer backing Nell Carter‘s rendition of “On Broadway” (George Benson’s version) which featured a cameo by the Honorable Ed Koch, Mayor of New York City.
Recruited by Prince Charles Alexander, Mr. Harrison join and tour with the French band “Les Rita Mitsouko” (Paris 1987-90). While in Europe, Richie began acquiring equipment to produce music for independent rappers and musicians.
Upon returning to the United States, The New York City based band “Eye & I” signed a deal with Sony Epic Records in 1990. Formed in the mid 1980’s, Eye & I emerged from the Downtown New York Punk scene and the Black Rock Coalition, (a movement dedicated to development and support of black alternative music). Vernon Reid, Greg Tate, Konda Mason, and DK Dyson, (lead singer of Eye & I), founded the organization. Signed by Sony Music. Eye & I released their self-titled album in 1992 which feature “Virgin Heart” and “Venus In Furs,” a remake of the classic Velvet Underground song. Mr. Harrison and the band toured with Body Count, The Psychedelic Furs, and Ziggy Marley to support the album in. The tour ended in 1993. In 1996 Richie joined the female R&B group Xscape performing the DeBarge hit song “All This Love,” in episode #44 of New York Undercover (Sympathy For The Devil).
An accomplished session drummer, Richie has also toured with legendary musicians like, Evelyn “Champagne” King (1981-82), Oliver Lake (1983), Lilo Thomas (1983), Grandmaster Melle Mel and the Furious Five (1985), Freda Payne (1986), Johnny Copeland (1985-86), Junior Walker (1986), Atlantic Starr (1997), Ragan Whiteside (2006-18), Aziza Miller (2016-17), and in many bands featuring seasoned musicians in New York Tri-State area.
Malcolm Swisher (2000) started a music program in Harlem at the Boys Club of New York teaching NYC youths ages 6-19 the art of drums and percussion. Mr. Harrison was appointed as drum instructor from (2000-17). Two of his star pupils Shajuan Andrews, (endorsed by VIC FIRTH) and Shariq Tucker, (winner of the 2014 Guitar Center Drum Off) were awarded sponsorships with world-renowned cymbal manufacturer “Zildjian” as well as touring with the legendary Bassist Stanley Clarke.
Mr. Harrison (2016) recorded, preformed and produced the album “This Journey Of Love” by songstress Aziza Miller aka Linda Williams, (known for co-writing the hit song La Costa with Natalie Cole). Mr. Harrison co-wrote the single on the album called “Say Yes (Time To Get My Blessing)” and later produced a remix version of the song with world-renowned percussionist, Gary M. Fritz.
Mr. Harrison recorded and played drums on two tracks off the Treblemaker 2017 CD release (See You At The Get Down and Early Arrival) the album by contemporary jazz, neo soul, funk flutist Ragan Whiteside, as well as playing on a live remix of “Corey’s Bop” not included on the album, but charting in the Top 10 across All Smooth Jazz Radio stations, Billboard, RadioWave, Media Base, and Groove Jazz. An Active member of Ragan Whiteside’s band during her winning performance at the 2006 Capital Jazz New Artist Competition.
Richie (2018) accompanied jazz violinist, Michael Urbaniak, on the Urbanator Days tour, as well as the 25th Anniversary Concert Tribute to Miles Davis in Warsaw, Poland.
In 2020, Harrison has released his debut album entitled “God’s Music” available on rah1music.com and at all streaming outlets.
Established in 1995
Mission
To release inspiring music for the next generation to think outside of the box
Vision
To open up the chakras of your mind