Navigating a techno-dystopian present, the New York-based, community-driven collective RAPRAVE channels a shared vision: transforming alienation into connection, and chaos into catharsis. Inspired by music and energy from across the globe, RAPRAVE is rooted in creativity, exchange, and education for all, a platform that breaks down the barriers between creator and audience, genre and geography, and ultimately, individual and collective.

In December 2024 in SoHo at the newly opened By.Alexander, RAPRAVE held a celebration marking the end of RAPRAVE SEASON0NE. The event featured the inaugural launch of ZINE.001, a print release exhibiting “the raver’s fashion journal,” showcasing dystopian rave-wear by photographer Jess Farran and styled by HUIBEN. Accompanying the zine is a collectible poster insert and the RAPRAVE x USB Club USB, preloaded with a selection of releases from their past season.

By.Alexander transformed into a convergence of sound and energy, drawing attendees into RAPRAVE’s orbit. The celebration also marked HUIBEN’s first physical archive pop-up of the year, showcasing pieces styled in the zine, alongside a USB Club workshop offering exclusive, preloaded USBs. Sets from RAPRAVE residents and friends charged the space energetically, a place to catch up and hang at a lower decibel level, exhibiting the range of RAPRAVE’s activations.

This is in contrast to RAPRAVE's NYFW 2024 at Le Bain: a high-energy, all-night affair. A testament to the collective's ability to deliver varied experiences for their community's needs and desires. They follow up with their ongoing residency show at The Lot Radio spotlighting creators and special guests through their upcoming label releases, showcasing their impressive flexibility as a collective with a single release by Regis and Shushu.

It’s not just a party—RAPRAVE is a living, breathing phenomenon collapsing the distance between music and community, fostering a shared network of expression amongst friends, artists, and musicians alike.

RAPRAVE understands what people are yearning for digitally and irl in an age of disconnection. Curating events and experiences that resonate with an audience who seek a real-life platform for musical discovery, being put onto new artists that you really, actually vibe with, and events where that is the first impression: a good time with like-minded folks. Their approach is refreshing—bring on artists who make genuine impacts within their own communities while highlighting contours from all contexts and regions.

Over the past year, RAPRAVE has demonstrated its presence as a boundary-pushing collective through notable collaborations. Launching SEASONTWO in Toronto this January 2025, their partnership with Carhartt WIP has fostered creativity and community with supported events and an exclusive friends & family tee. Their ongoing collaboration with USB Club expanded with the release of a custom RAPRAVE x USB Club USB, available alongside their new zine, which will now be available at By.Alexander in NYC and at Domicile in Tokyo.

RAPRAVE is looking ahead to an exciting year, focusing on developing its roster of talent while showcasing their network on a global level. One of RAPRAVE’s artists, HiTech, is off with a bang in 2025, starting the year with the release of a new mixtape via Loma Vista Recordings, then an Australian tour, and a performance at Coachella. RAPRAVE will continue to spotlight its talent through exclusive events and label releases.

With exclusive access to never-before-seen imagery from SEASON0NE ZINE and in-depth interviews with the minds behind RAPRAVE, Coeval readers are invited to feel the heartbeat.

Can you share the initial inspiration and energy that sparked the creation of RAPRAVE?

RAPRAVE came as a natural reflection of our lives and experiences. The name pretty much says it all. When we would go out, our nights would often start at rap and hip-hop shows or parties. Then we'd eventually end our night on the dance floor in a warehouse or after-hours spot. The name itself came to us when we were listening to Max B on the way to Berghain... why not bring this all under one roof?

We cut our teeth working alongside friends in hip-hop for many years. At the same time, we always had an affinity for dance music, so eventually, we made a bid to merge the world's we appreciated for so long into something we thought our friends would enjoy. Our goal was always to connect the dots and bring our interests together in a way that resonates with our community.

What were some key moments and motivations that led up to the launch of ZINE.001?

The zine was born out of a desire to take people on a conceptual dive into the world of RAPRAVE—a space where music, fashion, and technology collide. We wanted to create a tangible relic that captures this intersection and feels timeless.

What are some of the core initiatives that define RAPRAVE’s world?

Beyond events, we have expanded into releasing original music through our RAPRAVE imprint. We are also dedicated to incubating global talent, managing emerging acts via our agency, and building a vibrant network of artists capable of elevated critique, collaborative label releases, and acclaimed guest mixes.

How does RAPRAVE balance its creative vision with the practical challenges of building an international community + brand?

Balancing creative vision with real-world challenges comes down to staying true to our roots while thinking globally. Before our first event, we spent time sharpening our mission and approach to music and nightlife—making sure the foundation was solid.

RAPRAVE is NYC-based but boundaryless in spirit and we believe that the RAPRAVE movement exists everywhere. We’re always trying to expand beyond our own channels to hit the far corners of the globe where artists and creators are innovating.

We’re constantly exploring new, under-the-radar locales and connecting our global community with the one at home. It’s a true labor of love.

What role does collaboration play in shaping RAPRAVE’s identity and projects?

Collaboration is at the core of RAPRAVE’s identity. We’re deeply community-oriented, building a global network that thrives on shared creativity and mutual inspiration. From booking talent across 10+ countries to throwing events in 6 cities and 3 continents, every project is a collaborative effort that blends local influences with our genre-bending vision.

How has the reception to ZINE.001 influenced or inspired future plans for RAPRAVE?

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and we can’t wait for more people to uncover this relic, but we’re also not driven by external perceptions. Instead, we’re fueled by the energy of our travels, the bold work of our RAPRAVE family, and anyone out there pushing the creative boundaries of what’s possible. As long as our community keeps innovating, breaking new ground, and doing things their own way, so will we, and ZINE.001 is only one tangible outcome of that spirit embodied in collaboration. That’s the kind of energy that drives us forward.

If you could describe RAPRAVE in three words, what would they be, and why?

Between blurred lines

We operate between blurred lines – whether it's the soundwaves that literally make up the music we play, or the two worlds of electronic music and hip-hop that we are blending. We are constantly trying to bridge the gap between sounds, cultures, and ideas that may not seem linked at first glance. With any given event, mix, or release, we might feature a familiar sound by a certain selector, or take attendees on a journey into new and unexpected sonic territories.