The exciting and progressive future of Australian Hip Hop

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The exciting and progressive future of Australian Hip Hop

Australia’s hip hop landscape has been going through some exciting changes over the past few years. A more inclusive, electronic based culture has meant young artists have been able to revolutionise the genre. This platform has seen many young MC’s redefine the essence of the genre.

Aussie hip hop has been a staple of Australia’s music scene for the past 20 years. Artists such as Hilltop Hoods, Bliss n Eso, Drapht, Urthboy and Horrorshow have worked to provide a credible platform for the always expanding genre. Often known for their explosive live shows, these artists have ensured that there will always be an Aussie hip hop artist flying the flag at any given local music festival.

While they have been integral for the development of the genre of the years, there are a tonne of exciting young artists that are taking the genre to greater heights. Keeping in stead with their U.S and U.K counterparts, young Australian rappers are using their greatest asset, the internet, to find new fan bases, producers and sounds to experiment with. With a number of different platforms available (the two main ones being Triple J Unearthed and Soundcloud) artists have greater potential for reach than ever before.

Adding to this changing landscape is the genres continual interaction with Electronic music. Prior to the rise of Australia’s electronic music scene, Aussie hip hop was still very much influenced by sample based production. While artists such as Hermitude and M-Phazes were always experimenting outside this traditional scope, Flume’s single On Top (feat. T-Shirt) was influential in changing the production landscape, which has allowed for many young hip hop artists to find a place in the scene,  in turn giving young voices from minority social groups a chance to amplify their say on an international level.

While acts such as The Herd (led by Urthboy)Briggs and Trials (recently collaborating as A.B.Original) have always used their voice in hip hop as a political tool, this new environment has seen a new generation of artists emerge, taking the baton to bring to the fore social issues.  Artists such as Sampa The Great, Miss Blanks and Baker Boy have all be able to use this their music to address social issues such as race, sexism and equality for all.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the most exciting, up-and-coming artists in the Australian hip hop world that you need to get around. Let us know who you’d add!

Arno Faraji

The winner of the 2017 Triple J Unearthed High competition, Perth based MC and producer is killing the game with a killer flow and well rounded production style.

Baro

The young Melbourne rapper who’s use of Soundcloud (as well as undeniable talent) has seen him rise to great heights already.

Miss Blanks

Miss Blanks has been going from strength to strength in a very short amount of time. The Brisbane artist has started popping up on festival lineups all over the place including Formations this weekend.

Mallrat

The young Queenslander turned heads so fast with ‘Uninvited’ that we all copped serious whiplash. It still hurts today. I’m not kidding. She just dropped a new track called ‘Better’ and is heading on tour later in the year!

Manu Crooks

We had the pleasure of catching this dude at BIG SOUND back in September and can attest to there clear stage presence and energy he brings to his performances. That on top of a truly unique sound and aesthetic make Manu Crooks one to watch.

Carmouflage Rose

If you are yet to hear ‘Late Nights’ from Carmouflage Rose, you are BEYOND missing out. The Brissy local was another impressive set at BIG SOUND that we took away from the event.

Lil Spacely

Hard-hitting lyrics and huge energy are just some of the attributes that Lil Spacely boasts. The music video for ">‘You Know It’ really says it all.

Poppy

Poppy came into our view via our good mate Spenda C and we couldn’t be happier about it. She has a lax, lyrical finesse that is unlike anything we’ve heard out of Aus.

Phil Fresh

A Sydney local, Phil Fresh dishes up a soothing take on Hip-hop, with a unqiue lyrical style matched with eclectic production that really sets him apart. Give his debut album a spin here.

Kwame

Another Sydney head on the scene with some big love on triple j Unearthed, Kwame has been steady building up a solid career of the past few years with his high-energy catalogue of tracks and features.

If these 10 artists are anything to go by, I’d say we’re in for a big few years for Australian Hip-Hop.

Who are some artists on your radar that are going places in the scene? Be sure to share them with us for part 2!

This feature was done in collaboration with our accommodation partner ibisPLAY.

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