Having emerged fully formed in 2013, the success of Run The Jewels is a remarkable feat of marketing and complimentary personas. Presenting themselves as a classic hip hop duo, with all of the swagger and energy that comes with that … Continue reading Run The Jewels – Festival Hall, Melbourne (5/1/18)
One of the most essential hip hop records released this year comes from a 23 year old Botswana raised, Zambian born, Melbourne based female rapper. Those facts are not what make Birds To the BEE9 so impressive though, nor that … Continue reading Interview: Sampa the Great
On Birds And The BEE9 Sampa the Great continues her artistic journey with a musically rich and thoughtful update to the sound established with 2015’s debut, The Great Mixtape. It’s interesting that once again she has chosen to label these … Continue reading Sampa The Great – Birds and the BEE9 (2017 LP)
‘Spread your arms if you really need a hug’, said Q-Tip in 1990, and on their first album in 18 years, A Tribe Called Quest look out at their country and decide that this sentiment is needed more than ever. … Continue reading A Tribe Called Quest – We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service (2016 LP)
As DJ Mathematics dropped the opening bars of 1993’s Bring Da Ruckus and the packed arena went predictably nuts, RZA strode out, in total command of the stage. Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Masta Killa and GZA each followed, delivering their verses … Continue reading Wu-Tang Clan – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne (23/02/2016)
2013’s Twelve Reasons To Die saw Ghostface Killah cast as the lead character in a concept album, created and produced by weirdo soul/hip-hop musician Adrian Younge. Number two is a more focused and interesting record than its predecessor, and while … Continue reading Adrian Younge & Ghostface Killah – Twelve Reasons To Die II (2015 LP)
Ever since first working together on Ghostface Killah’s remarkable FishScale album in 2006, the rap world has been waiting patiently for the promised album by the duo now known as DoomStarks, being Ghostface and DOOM (formerly MF Doom). Despite the … Continue reading Rap City ft. Ghostface Killah + DOOM + Chino XL + Ceicmate and Newsense – The Forum Theatre, Melbourne (09/06/12)
It has been three years since Atmosphere last graced our shores, and six years since this writer has seen them perform, a period of time which has seen them transform from an outfit based around a microphone and turntables, which … Continue reading Atmosphere – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (10/05/12)
This was the last night of the Kanye West Big Day Out tour and The Sidney Myer Music Bowl was buzzing with excited punters. At 8:30PM the words “ACT 1”, followed by a cheesy painting of Roman statues, was projected … Continue reading Kanye West – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne (31/01/12)
Dressed in a long skirt, shirt and tie, huge black-rimmed glasses and a new short haircut, Jean Grae looked like she sounds – quirky, sassy and cool. Aided by her affable onstage sidekick and DJ, Mr. Len, and a female … Continue reading GZA + Pharoahe Monch + Jean Grae – The Espy, Melbourne (05/01/12)
The Box Rockets opened the proceedings at The Prince of Wales Bandroom, delivering a set of tight, danceable rock – a little funky in parts and catchy as hell. They seemed to have their sound together and were damned enjoyable … Continue reading Phrase + DJ Flagrant + The Bowers + The Box Rockets – The Prince Bandroom, Melbourne (21/10/11)
Opening proceedings at Melbourne’s Palace Theatre on Friday night, Theophilus London, an energetic artist from Brooklyn who found fame by being championed through various trend-setting European blogs. With the aid of a DJ and guitarist, London whipped the excitable young … Continue reading Big Boi + Theophilus London – The Palace Theatre, Melbourne (02/09/2011)
words by watts 