Raggamuffin: Gappy won't pull rank with fans

Fans of reggae artist Gappy Ranks get the chance to meet and mingle with him in the crowds this weekend at Raggamuffin 2013.

Gappy Ranks is a dancehall musician of Jamaican and Dominican origin.

He has worked with American rapper Twista, UK MC Lethal B, Zimbabwean dancehall artist Winky D, producers Kray Twinz and dancehall collective Suncycle.

Although he has visited New Zealand before, this weekend's gig will be his first time at Raggamuffin and in Rotorua.

And while he's there, don't be too surprised if you bump into him in the crowd.

He said when he wasn't performing on stage, he'd definitely be checking out the other artists on both Friday and Saturday, mixing with fans and having a good time.

"If you don't network, you don't get work," he said.

"It's going to be great."

He said he'd be out in the crowd answering questions, meeting people and having photos taken with fans.

He said he didn't know a lot about New Zealand's reggae artists - although he has been on the same festival line-up as Fat Freddy's Drop in Germany - but knew the country had a strong reggae music scene.

He believed reggae music was so popular because of its reality - he said people could relate to it all around the world.

"New Zealand has a lot of reggae acts and DJs and it's quite a big scene over there.

"I'm sure on this journey I'm going to be more educated on the music and the scene."

He was looking forward to being part of the same festival as artists including J-Boog, Lauryn Hill and Toots and the Maytals and couldn't wait to perform for New Zealand audiences.

"My expectation is not of the people but more of myself, what I'm going to deliver ... interact with the people ... my show is full of emotions."

Meanwhile, the weather for Raggamuffin is looking good. According to the Metservice, Friday is expected to be fine with some morning and evening cloud and light winds with a high of 25C, while Saturday will see cloudy periods and some evening drizzle with a high of 24C.

Conditions of Entry

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  No alcohol or illegal substances to be taken into the stadium
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  No chilly bins, cans, glass bottles, video cameras, glass objects - including perfume bottles, offensive weapons, umbrellas and gazebos or other devices that in the opinion of stadium management have the potential to create injury or public nuisance will be permitted into the stadium
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  No gang patches or clothing representing gang affiliations permitted
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  Cameras with a lens of more than 200mm are not permitted
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  Nobody aged under 3 permitted
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  Anybody causing a disturbance or refusing to comply with requests from stadium management or event personnel may be evicted without refund from the stadium
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  Smoking on the premises is allowed only in designated areas and not within seating areas or grandstand
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  Stadium management or event personnel have the right to search bags or other items that might conceal anything should patrons wish to bring them into the stadium
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  Food and drink - small quantities of unopened/sealed drinks and non-commercial food such as sandwiches and fruit will be allowed into the stadium for Saturday only. No commercial food or opened drinks will be allowed.
• 
  No food or drinks are allowed on Friday night

- Source: www.raggamuffin.co.nz

Top 3 Raggamuffin survival tips

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  Wear a hat and heaps of sunscreen
• 
  Pace yourself and drink plenty of water
• 
  Look out for your mates

- Source: www.raggamuffin.co.nz