Tag Archives: Hip Hop

Mac Miller + The Tongue – The Enmore – 20.2.13

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Mac Miller

A hot Wednesday night at the Enmore Theatre only got hotter once the night kicked off at 8pm. The Enmore was a choice venue for the event; its sloped floor perfect for a good view of the stage by all.

At 8:45 The Tongue walked on stage to a booming crowd, and blew us all away with his signature flow. With tracks like ‘Drums’ the whole crowd was in form, dripping off every syllable. While the DJ layer down a beat, The Tongue freestyled to words of the crowd’s choice; ending up with Ralph Lauren, weed, and pussy. Despite the sophisticated wordbank, The Tongue impressed the crowd once again – his performance could easily have been mistaken for the headlining event.
After a short intermission, and no sign of the crowd slowing down, an artwork of Mac Miller lit up the back of the stage, and anticipation for his arrival with Most Dope started building.
Mac took the stage, and when I say took I mean he grabbed it by the balls, and took control of the crowd. Any attendee to this event had zero chance of disappointment, as Mac went through fan favourites from his entire discography; from 2003 to a song to be released with his next album. All I can say is that Mac Miller has a long, strong hip-hop future ahead of him – his music covers it all, from steady, cool rap to heavy, bass dominated hip-hop, he has it all. I, and from my perspective, 99% of the crowd was absolutely impressed by his performance – hyped by his high expectations of Sydney, Australia. By the sounds of it he was impressed, but who wouldn’t be?
A brilliant close with ‘Donald Trump’ left the crowd beaming, and a high vibe (unrelated to the constant substance inhalation in the concert) spilled out into Newtown. Mac Miller’s debut performance in Sydney, Australia was one to be remembered.
Rating: 4.5 / 5

Sketch The Rhyme “No Sleep ‘Til Adelaide” Tour – The Standard (15.02.13)

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Sketch The Rhyme

Sketch The Rhyme is an incredible invention for Aussie Hip-Hop.
The show kicked of with The Hi-Tops Brass Band, who gave off strong Aussie hip-hop vibes through their crisp, complex brass melodies. They really set the atmosphere for the whole show, hyping the crowd for themselves, and for the MCs and artists.

Ellesquire made a special appearance in their closing song, widening the grins in the front row of the crowded room. After a break, Sketch The Rhyme stepped into gear with P. Smurf, Ellesquire, Urthboy, Rapaport and Verbaliser (standing in for Tenth Dan).

After only having seen P.Smurf as part of Daily Meds at a show in Katoomba during 2012, it was awesome to see that Big Village is getting great Aussie Hip-hop out there, after he dropped the first track of his debut EP on the day of the show.

Sketch The Rhyme created a very in depth event with the MCs, we not only shared their laughs and emotions, but watched them as good friends literally, just doing what they love and having a sick time.

If you don’t know what Sketch The Rhyme involves you can check out their facebook page here, however, basically it’s a bunch of awesome freestyle games, with big names.

Games including Perfect Snatch, “Dead, Celebrity Heads” e.g Marilyn Monroe, a new game involving sketched bodies and rap battling (where Verbaliser battled P. Smurf, and Ellesquire Battled Rapaport), and ‘Last Mand Standing‘. The crowd loved this one which ended in a face off between P. Smurf and Ellesquire where the word was ‘Jungle’. P. Smurf took a nice win.

More The Messier was a crowd pleaser, and Guess The Next Topic closed the show with a bang. BIG ups to Big Village for setting this up.

The art was impressive on the night, the freestyle, sketching combo worked out perfectly at The Standard. Artists were Mie Nakazawa, Sam Clouston, Edgarr & Duckman, and Days One.

For more info on Big Village Records visit: http://www.facebook.com/bigvillage

Rating: 4/5

Macklemore + Ryan Lewis + Diafrix – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (15.02.13)

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Macklemore Enmore Theatre

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis made way at their final sold out show at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney last night. They didn’t expect this kind of success for their single ‘Same Love’ from album The Heist to reach number one spots in Australia. Originally their show was to be held at the renowned (and average-sized) Oxford Art Factory in Sydney. However it sold out instantly, so a second show was held which also sold out ‘in the blink of an eye’. An upsize of the venue was necessary, and the Metro Theatre seemed sufficient, however, due to the overwhelming response from fans, the show was taken to the Enmore Theatre in Sydney! The fans were spoilt with many treats last night.

By 8pm fans had already packed the venue front and back in time to see the aptly chosen support act for the night (and only support act) Melbourne based hip hop duo, Diafrix. Although it seems that much of commercial hip hop promotes promiscuity and homophobia, excessive use of drug and alcohol, crime, money, fame with a heavy use of derogative language (all as a norm of societies across the world), Diafrix seem to break the stereotypes and misconception with a positive approach.

Their album Pocket Full Of Dreams is what could be described as a genuine compilation of narratives from cultural and personal struggles and exchanging it for more positive outcomes and a change in common attitudes and thoughts. So I am all for positive hip hop, and it’s one thing to immerse oneself into their pre-recorded music, but witnessing a live delivery of their album took me on a whole other level. Diafrix spread good vibes throughout their set leaving all to look like perspiring sardines. The front row were pushed up against the media barricades – sweaty, thirsty, had full bladders, but weren’t prepared to give up their spot on the floor. Security yanked out a few overheated (and a little intoxicated) fans from the crowd. Diafrix definitely owned the stage. Aussies definitely need to check these guys out live if you haven’t already done so. Any one looking for a live hip hop act, these are the guys to hit up.

The 30-40 minute wait was well worth it for Macklemore fans, as he made way to the stage and crowds roared in reverence to see the man himself, Ryan Lewis and the band. Fans joined in singing familiar songs from his latest release The Heist. Each track received the “same love” as his hit singles ‘Thrift Shop’ and – ‘Same Love’. Through witnessing various hip hop gigs in town, the crowd was well behaved for such a large cohort. Brilliant production work by Ryan Lewis throughout the album and at the live show in Sydney.

Fluid rhymes by Macklemore and his fans to match especially throughout ‘Jimmy lovine’. We got treated to the soulful voice of Ray Dalton who also joined Macklemore on tour with ‘Can’t Hold Us’, which got the crowd clapping and singing along like a gospel choir. We can’t forget the awesome trumpet playing by Macklemore’s official trumpeteer Owuor Arunga. But it was not until the number one single ‘Thrift Shop’ began to play, that the audience screamed with excitement. Shortly after it eased in with the second number one hit single in Australia ‘Same Love’ (renowned song that supports same-sex marriage). At one time I was wondering who the chick was with the long blonde hair that entered the stage. Yup, it was Mr Macklemore himself. Never once did he fail to entertain and constantly delivered great music and remained animated.

It’s about time Australia got to see the men behind the Thrift Shop song Macklemore, Wanz and production work by Ryan Lewis. It goes to show that if one is an artist of some sort, keep making art. You never know how far you can go. Macklemore sure didn’t expect to top 2 singles in the last few months in Australia. Looking forward to seeing him flourish worldwide!

Rating: 4/5

Click on the image below for photographs on the night taken by Liza Moscatelli and Jackie TeAroha from Mosca Media Australia.
Screen Shot 2013-02-17 at 3.59.57 PM

Check out the links below for more info:

www.macklemore.com
www.facebook.com/ryanlewisproductions

Sketch The Rhyme: “No Sleep Til Adelaide” Tour

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No Sleep ’Til Adelaide Tour

Big Village is proud to present the first East Coast tour and Adelaide Fringe Festival season of Sydney-based live art hip hop gameshow Sketch The Rhyme. The strikingly entertaining show pits teams of artists and rappers against each other in a fast-paced, MC-driven battle of wits, played out with the accompaniment of a live band, and not-so-serious nods to famed drawing duels: Pictionary and the legendary Mr Squiggle.

Conceived by Big Village Records MC, label manager and creative director Rapaport, Sketch The Rhyme was developed during the 2008 Underbelly Festival, Carriageworks, through collaborations between esteemed visual artists, freestyle MCs and improvising musicians. Spurred on by the sheer fun and creativity of those initial brainstorming sessions Sketch The Rhyme has gone onto to feature at Edinburgh Fringe Festival [2011], Woodford Folk Festival [2009 & 2010], Melbourne Fringe [2009] and the Sydney Comedy Festival Great Debate.

Bringing together Big Village MCs Rapaport, P.Smurf from Daily Meds and Jeswon from Thundamentals, Sketch The Rhyme teams the label mates with artists Claire Nakazawa, Duckman, Sam Clouston, Edgarr and Mie Nakazawa, whose expertise in a range of visual disciplines from street art and graffiti, to comics, cartoons and painting creates one hell of an engaging hip hop show.

WATCH SKETCH THE RHYME COME TO LIFE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vli4cgZ4URM

CAN YOU POZIBLY HELP SKETCH THE RYHME?

Big Village and Sketch The Rhyme need your help getting this show on the road! Why not watch and share their Pozible video, support their campaign and tell your friends about Sketch The Rhyme on Facebook or Twitter? Sketch The Rhyme will thank their Pozible helpers with sweet rewards: from artwork and props to workshops or even a Sketch The Rhyme show in your own home!

CHECK OUT THE REWARDS
www.pozible.com/sketchtherhyme

“No Sleep ’Til Adelaide” Tour

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Fri 15 Feb – The Standard, Sydney, NSW
Feat. MCs Urthboy, Rapaport, P.Smurf, Ellesquire and Tenth Dan
Supports from Hi Tops Brass Band + DJ Migz
Plus artists Claire Nakazawa, Mie Nakazawa, Sam Clouston, Edgarr, Duckman and Days One
$15 + BF / $20 on the door

Sat 2 Mar – Speigeltent, Melbourne (11am show), VIC
Buy Tickets

Adelaide Fringe Festival

Thu 7 March – Gluttony: The Pig Pen – 11.50pm

Fri 8 March – Gluttony: The Pig Pen – 11.50pm

Sat 9 Mar – Gluttony: The Pig Pen – 11.50pm

Sun 10 Mar – Gluttony: The Pig Pen – 11.50pm

Mon 11 Mar – Gluttony: The Pig Pen – 11.50pm

Tue 12 Mar – Gluttony: The Piglet – 6.45pm

Wed 13 Mar – Gluttony: The Pig Pen – 11.00am

Wed 13 Mar – Gluttony: The Piglet – 6.45pm

Thu 14 Mar – Gluttony: The Pig Pen – 1.00pm

Thu 14 Mar – Gluttony: The Pig Pen – 11.50pm

Fri 15 Mar – Gluttony: The Pig Pen – 1.00pm

Fri 15 Mar – Gluttony: The Pig Pen – 11.50pm

Sat 16 Mar – Gluttony: The Pig Pen – 11.50pm

Sun 17 Mar – Gluttony: The Pig Pen – 11.50pm

www.bigvillagerecords.com.au

Hermitude’s The Villain Tour featuring Fishing – Oxford Art Factory (11.02.13)

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Hermitude 3rd Sydney show 2013

‘Hermitude’s rise over the past year has been remarkable. The duo recently took out FBi SMAC Awards for Best Live Music Act and Best Song (HyperParadise Flume Remix) and were shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize.’

It’s inevitable that once you hear Hermitude‘s first Sydney show of the Villain Tour was sold out, then the second, you’d only hope they would make a another one. Especially after hearing they also sold out in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, one was considering to go the extra mile to make it. But gladly a third and final show was announced in Sydney on Sunday night at the Oxford Art Factory.

Hermitude were supported by Sydney-based band, Fishing. I’ve heard a lot about them lately and was pleased to finally see what the fuss was about. They filled the night with dope MPC generated beats and in turn – a room full of sweaty people. They were definitely the appetisers for the night making sure we warmed up for the headline act. Full of energy and charisma, Fishing was definitely a winner to the crowd. I enjoyed the playlist in between sets too. Pulled out my iPhone and Shazaamed nearly every song. Never heard of some of the artists that popped up but enjoyed the electro-hip hop infused tracks bringing heavy bass and head-banging beats. Some of the tracks included ‘Yaow!’ (Baauer), ‘Cbat’ (Hudson Mohawke), ‘F**kin’ Problems’ (A$AP Rocky feat. Drake & 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar), ’110%’ (Jessie Ware) and ‘Gold Lion’ (Yeah Yeah Yeahs).

Fishing finished off their set which seemed so suddenly, but politely acknowledged the band that people came to see. I made a slight transition from the front to the back of the OAF and was greeted by familiar late-comers who walked into the venue and clarified – ‘We’re here to see Hermitude’s show!’. It was apparent as the venue started to look like a can of sardines – heat and condensation kicked in and the crowd were pumped as ever.

Hermitude played everything from their earlier tracks to the new school stuff from the Hyperparadise LP. The highlight tracks were…. pretty much everything from ‘Get In My Life’, ‘Hyperparadise’ as well as the Flume remix, ‘All Of You’, ‘Flood’, ‘Golden’ and ‘Cloud City’. What went off was ‘Speak Of The Devil’ with guest Chaos Emerald. The Oxford Art Factory incorporated a brilliant light show especially during ‘Speak Of The Devil’.

If you haven’t been to a Hermitude show, you could try catch them before they work on another album. They will be playing at the Corner Hotel, Melbourne on Thursday 21st February and The Big Pineapple Music Festival in Queensland on Saturday 20th April.

For more information on Hermitude check out www.hermitude.com and www.elefanttraks.com/hermitude

Rating: 5/5

Set List
Engage
All of You
Sloucho Darzx
Can’t Stop
Galactic Cadillac
Golden
HyperParadise
HyperParadise (Flume Remix)
Ghosts/The Presets (Hermitude Remix)
The Hunt
Get In My Life
Cartridge Kings
Frayed
Let You Go
Splendid Isolation
Speak of the Devil
The Villain
Cloud City

Fishing
Hermitude

Speak of the Devil

Mac Miller’s debut Australian Tour February 2013!

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Mac Miller Flier

This February will bring the long-awaited first Australian tour of Pittsburg rapper Mac Miller, after his release of his latest album Blue Slide Park in late 2011, and mixtape Macadelic in mid-2012.

As his debut studio album, Blue Slide Park was extremely well received, achieving new levels of refinement and inspiration through which Mac has made his name. Macadelic only strengthens Mac’s character as a persona and a rapper, fully exploring his perspective on what it is to live life to the fullest.The success of these productions is a perfect lead up to a tour; there is huge anticipation among Aussie fans for this tour.

Mac Miller’s Australian Tour this February will visit Sydney (20th), Melbourne (21st), Brisbane (22nd), and Perth (23rd).

Tickets are available from Ticketek for the Sydney show, Ticketmaster for Melbourne, and Oztix for Brisbane and Perth. Be sure to get yours now!

Niche Productions and Live Nation have worked to make this tour possible, check out their websites below to see what else they’re up to, and for more info!
www.oztix.com.au

ISHU – Hand Made (2012 LP)

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Hand Made is the ultimate gift for your mate who’s the chilled type. The newly released LP is produced, mixed and arranged by Melbourne-based producer ISHU. It’s also his second release. Its intricate and deep bass lines and electronic beats is enough to get you hooked. Definitely a bag of mixed goodies showcasing chopped sample based melodies and synth infused rhythms. The album features contributions from Mighty Joe (USA) and very familiar names such as Mantra, Jeswon (of Thundamentals), One Sixth, Candice Monique and Omar Musa.

The first track off the album is an instrumental track called ‘El Gato’ – Spanish for “cat”. It seems almost coincidental that it actually sounds as if a black stray cat is wandering through the streets and side alleys at night. Quite eery. But dope. Could definitely see it being used as a backing track to some sort of animation clip alongside the third track ‘Say Goodnight’.

We already know that ISHU produces his own music – but he also shows off his smooth singing vocals to the chorus from his first single off the album, ‘Way To Go’. It also comes with a nice hop hop beat and features smooth lyrical flows from the Mighty Joe (USA).

ISHU brings us with a sophisticated intro to the track ‘Right Or Wrong’ with the Spanish style mandolins. The track features the sweet soulful vocals of Candice Monique. I definitely felt a sense of nostalgia, as it reminded me of the time I saw her perform for the first and last time at the Oz Soul Collective launch earlier last year at Tone, Sydney (unfortunately it has closed down now). She was amazing. So it was great to hear her sing again on this album. Before that I’ve only ever seen her name on a poster on a Melbourne Street reading ‘Candice Monique and The Optics’ a couple of years ago.

‘Smokin Barrels’ comes with a catchy hook that features Jeswon of Thundamentals. Dig the beat work too. ‘Your Chamber’ features Mantra, an eloquent artist who has the capacity to tell us story well through his narrative-style rap on this track. It’s pretty deep storytelling, however he definitely does grab ones attention. ‘Eyes On You’ is definitely a favourite as I enjoy the lead up to the song with the soulful rhythm and vocals by Gary Dryza (the man himself, ISHU) and backing vocals by Melbourne soul and hip hop artist Syrene Favero also known as SYRENEYISCREAMY. I’m definitely familiar with Syrene’s work with runforyourlife and also the Oz Soul Collective. She’s got a powerful and amazing voice, however, it was nice to see that she was harmonizing subtly in the background to add to the main vocals. Beautiful combination of the two.

‘Maybe This Time’ has a more digitalised electro-soul feel to it and is well suited as 1/6 features on this track. I think the best thing about this album that each track is unique and one can’t simply pigeon hole this album into categories. It’s got hip hop, soul, electro, neo-soul, latin influences.

The final track ‘Ends With A Beginning’ has a nice balance of heavy bass line and the poetic and soothing narration by Omar Musa. I could listen to his poems all day. He keeps it simple and engaging leaving one to envision his insightful statement through poetry.

I love the album cover artwork by Adam Cicchini that I had to order myself a t-shirt. Which I’m wearing right now!

Check out what the fuss is about and get your copy of Hand Made via iTunes

Rating: 4/5

ISHU is currently working on an east coast tour expecting to launch in 2013. So keep your eyes peeled for more details!

For more information on ISHU and his music visit http://ishumusic.bandcamp.com/

Deep Sea Arcade + The Preatures + Fishing – Metro Theatre, Sydney (30.11.12)

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Deep Sea Arcade. Photograph by Nicole Michels

It’s 8:30 by the time my friends and I show up at the Metro, already a little drunk and more than ready for a bit of poppy fun to end the sweltering Sydney day. We must look like a pretty unlikely bunch; my hipster chef friend donning a pirate earring and obligatory moustache, my lawyer/philosopher friend, short with glasses and a business suit, and myself: long haired, un-showered, un-shaven and underslept.

By the time we arrived The Preatures are more than half way through their set, and we’re pretty drunk. The lead male vocalist is prancing around the stage without his guitar, making funny singing faces like an Australian Idol contestant.

I spot Doug from Fishing in the crowd during The Preatures’ set, and head over to chat with him. I don’t know him very well, but he’s always polite and happy to talk.
‘We played for an hour and a half’ he tells me. ‘The whole all ages thing was weird; one guy jumped on stage at like 8:30… who jumps on stage at 8:30?’. He tells me that Fishing are planning to release some new material in the near future, and that they’re currently directing a video for Urthboy of all people.

Doug also remarks that even though he doesn’t listen to this style of music, he’s thoroughly enjoying the Preatures’ set. He comments on the crispness of their instrument tone, and the girl singer’s pretty voice. I have to agree that their strong point is in their arrangements, not their songwriting, but it works in a live context and they do a great job of corralling the crowd, obviously really enjoying themselves.

The wait between sets is short, but there’s heavy anticipation from some of the younger audience members. When Deep Sea Arcade take the stage, they get straight to business, opening with one of their catchier tunes, ‘Seen No Right’. The instrument tone and mix are perfect and every song has the crowd dancing and singing along.

Deep Sea Arcade really are damn good at what they do. They play with plenty of class and professionalism, the long haired lead guitarist casually deals with a broken string half way through the set, the bass and drums impossibly tight, and the songwriting always perfectly tasteful and melodic.

They play most of the favourites from their debut album Outlands, including ‘Girls’, ‘If The Devil Won’t Take You’, and ‘Granite City’. Nick, the band’s singer and engaging-yet-modest front man remarks with a smile ’50 minutes ago I was in my room’, obviously stoked at playing to such a large and responsive home crowd. He gets his phone out and asks the audience to pose as zombies for a photo. They then play their Like A Version cover of The Chemical Brothers ‘Let Forever Be’ which, while being a pretty groovy track, is never really resolved and doesn’t go anywhere. Old Deep Sea Arcade classics ‘Lonely In Your Arms’ and ‘Don’t Be Sorry’ are really well received, and the band leave the stage to a satisfied applause. No one wants an encore, we’ve already had our fill. The hipster, the lawyer and I are all danced out, we pour onto the streets with everyone else to find taxis, busses, designated drivers or just to wander about in the summer night.

Rating: 3.5/5

Jay Sean + Justice Crew + Young Men Society – Enmore Theatre (26.10.12)

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Jay Sean – Enmore Theatre Sydney. Photography: Yasmine Minovski for Mosca Media

Written by Chamoniix Kotevski

The atmosphere at Jay Sean’s concert Enmore Theatre Sydney on Friday night was by far one to remember, with such an electric, warm and up-beat mood. Beginning with acts from Young Men Society, who really revved up the crowd and kept everybody wanting more.

Then moved on to Justice Crew whom did an extraordinary job entertaining and keeping the concert very much alive. Even though the supporting acts suffered from few technical difficulties they still managed to handle the issue so well and was hardly noticeable until they stated the problem.

Then the wait began, probably the longest wait of my life for the headliner act, Jay Sean to appear onstage. Although the wait was very much worth it, even though my ears are probably destroyed by the screaming of girls when he first appeared. He sang a large range of songs including hit singles ‘Hit the Lights’ and ‘Do You Remember’ along with many others. Jay Sean also gave us a taste of his newest mix tape, ‘The Mistress’.

The event catered for all varieties in the audience and was highly entertaining. Some of the back-up dancers’ moves almost made me cringe though, because just like many other girls, I just wanted to be her.

Overall, it was an amazing night and a beautiful atmosphere. All thanks to the venue, promoters, Jay Sean his, crew, supporting acts Justice Crew and Young Men Society. After Jay Sean plays his final show in Queensland he will continue his tour in Dubai. What a night!

Rating: 4/5

Seth Sentry – This Was Tomorrow (2012 Album)

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Melbourne MC Seth Sentry’s debut album is a fresh, innovative twist to the Aussie Hip-hop genre, from the first bar of the first track. The album is packed with energy and inspiration, produced with a mix of new-age beats and old school drum backing and scratching. ‘Campfire’ is a captivating opening track, which honestly blew my mind – I had no expectation of such impressive musical and lyrical ability from the first track of the album.

Seth Sentry has seemingly easily reinvented the wheel, while still slipping into the Aussie hip-hop genre. I have no doubt that this album will appeal to current fans of the Melbourne, Sydney and East-Coast hip-hop scenes, and additionally I feel that the album bears a great sense of accessibility to outside audiences. The progressive and momentous mood of the album reinforces the Aussie Battler typical ideology of Aussie hip-hop. This, coupled with the Australiana-esque instrumental backing from songs like ‘Ink Blot Test’ helps to produce a truly great record, which is patriotic without being tacky; like one of those “Aussie Rock” Father’s Day CDs you’d buy from Supercheap Auto.

In a scene of upcoming and rapidly succeeding Australian Hip-Hop artists including but hardly limited to Illy, Skryptcha, and One Sixth, this album is likely to shoot Seth Sentry to the same level – An impressively executed debut album which gives listeners a great insight into the MC’s personal perceptions, and his life philosophies. I really enjoyed listening to this album, great work.

Rating: 3.5/5