About Me
4 Wheel City is a Rap Group/Movement started by Ricardo "Rickfire" Velasquez (Producer) and Namel "Tapwaterz" Norris (Rapper) two talented
hip hop artist in wheelchairs.Their mission is to use hip hop music to inspire people not give up in life no matter what happens. In addition show the world that people with disabilities can still have talents, dreams, and deserve to be treated equal.
The duo became friends 7yrs ago in the Bronx NY, after suffering spinal cord injuries caused by gun violence. A closecousin accidentally shot Norris in the neck during his sister's Sweet Sixteen celebration in 1999. Velasquez was shot in the back by a stranger on the way home from a party in 1997.
Though faced with many challenges the two found salvation in
their love of hip hop music. They began recording music in
Velasquez's home studio just to have something to do to take
their minds off being in wheelchairs. In the process they realized the
power their music had and decided to use it to give a voice to people with
disabilities, and the movement soon followed.
They began making songs to inspire, educate, advocate, and entertain
-informing people about disability and the injustices. It's through music
that they reach their audience� with a disability or not. They also motiva-
tional speak & perform for newly injured spinal cord patients in hospitals
and kids in inner city schools.
It's also through hip hop music, the pair got back to living their lives.
Namel went back to school and graduated from Lehman College with a B.A in Business Management. Velasquez is designing a hip-hop clothing line and works hard on his music everyday. The Tandem now co-own their own independent record company 4 Wheelz Records and not-for-profit organization also named 4 Wheel City (www.4wheelcity.com)
They've performed/appeared in The Daily News, Fox 5 News, VH1, HOT 97, XXL Magazine, New 12, City Hall, Lehman College, Mount Sinai hospital, and many more.
Compared to the popular gangster rap and party music, the rappers say,
theirs is more reality-based.
>Video: 4 Wheel City
