Straight from the block, some of Perth’s roughest, rugged and raw rhyme slangers are set to bring you a dose of bangers at The Sewing Room with Saturday Hip-Hop on Saturday, October 19. BRAYDEN EDWARDS speaks with some of our hottest up and coming rappers in Early Bird MC, Diabetic, Erny D and Tyron D to find out their story to date, their favourite rappers, one liners, and who to watch in the rap game both locally and abroad.
How did you get into hip hop and how long have you been doing this for?
I got into hip hop in high school when my mate showed me 2001 by Dr Dre at a kick-on when I was 14.
What artists have influenced your style the most and why?
Artists that have impacted my style are predominately The Butlers, Eminem, 50 cent, kennybeats, DJ Premier and Mos Def. I like their music and their beats.
Where do you source your beats from?
@pushxrman, YouTube mainly.
Best hip hop artist ever and why?
Eminem. Em’s accolades in the industry includes three consecutive best rap albums from 1999-2002. He spits mad frees, but also because he’s white in an industry where the culture is built from African Americans.
What up and comers should we look out for, either locally or from elsewhere?
Look out for Ernest Dwyer, Diabetic, and Early Bird. Come through to the show on October 19 and witness poetry in motion.
Favourite one liner?
Xzibit on What’s the Difference: “what’s the difference between me and you? About five bank accounts, three ounces and two vehicles” (RIP because he’s broke now).
What is next for you musically, any further plans for 2019 and beyond?
I’m the kind of guy that just goes with the flow, hopefully do more shows and rap freestyles with the boys, at kick-ons is where I come alive.
How did you get into hip hop and how long have you been doing this for?
I’d say I first got immersed into hip hop and its culture, especially the Perth hip hop scene, back in 2011 when I was just a young buck when my life long friend Cody Clark showed me local legends Omac and Complete, which I quickly gained love for through the familiarity of the references to the city of Perth that I had grown up in.
Around that time I moved down to the rural country town of Waroona where I met a good friend of mine by the name of Big Q who introduced me to the 90s American West Coast scene where I took an interest in artists such as Westside Connection and 2pac and Dr Dre as most do. It was around 2012 when I first got into the East Coast scene that I feel are my true influences. Funnily enough I was in an indie rock band from my High School called Bookie Skunk Funk as a singer until mid 2016. When the band split it gave me a chance to broaden my horizons and try my hand at becoming an emcee.
What artists have influenced your style the most and why?
There’s always so many influential artists to choose from but largely I’d have to list Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Mos Def, Gang Starr, Drapht, Big L, Big Pun, Biggie Smalls, Big Daddy Kane, Binary Star, Masta Ace, Mobb Deep, Supastition, A Tribe Called Quest, Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, MF Doom, Tyler the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, Czarface, Heltah Skeltah, Artifacts, OutKast, Black Moon, The Beatnuts, Knomad, INAZONE, SCORCH and Early Bird MC.
My music is all about consciousness and a vibe as well as a journey of self development, every single one of these artists have played a role in my sound being what it is today, especially my original crew with Early Bird (and) Rhythmic Soulz. Knomad in particular has been a large part of my inspiration for this year, having been the artist that I work with most along with J.H. forming a collective that we’ve called Instant Vintage.
Where do you get your beats from and how do they shape the songs?
I pretty much use mostly beats from my local Perth Homies, J.H., TheGreenReefr and Soulside for the most part. Big shout out to you boys!
Best hip hop artist ever and why?
I honestly couldn’t name just one, but if I had to pick best debut solo album, it’d be Nas’ Illmatic.
And what up and comers should we look out for, either locally or from elsewhere?
Watch out for the entire Perth Rap scene. Perth is on the rise with so many up and coming artists with some completely fresh styles and skills to match, Look out for myself (DIABETIC), Early Bird MC, Erny D, Tyron D, Knomad, SCORCH, Mic Midas, BURKEY, Rezidue, Lone Lunacy, T.W.W.R., KOTA, SURAJ, DVSTY, ANSA, ZEFFER, DISTRACKT, Greesey, All of Rhythmic Soulz, All of Wisdom & Knowledge and All of Tuf Luk with so many more to name. Outside of WA everybody on Lakeside Collective which some of us Perth rappers are a part of but a special mention to the founder Yzl, and to St Bedlam who is my favourite female MC in the whole of Australia.
Favourite one liner?
Binary Star’s Reality Check: “Honestly, my number one policy is quality, never sell my soul is my philosophy.”
What is next for you musically, any further plans for 2019 and beyond?
This year has been monumental for myself and reaching my goals having tallied up over 20 gigs doubling my set goal for myself as well as having completed a life-long goal of releasing my first CD End Of Adolescence Double EP which is available to purchase at Rhubarb Records in Victoria Park. I’ve made Spotify playlists created by influential Australian artists such as Tuka of Thundamentals and Bird Brain of THC TV and have featured on local radio stations all around the country. Before the year ends, expect to see an absolutely epic music video for one of my recent collaborations with local artist and producer SURAJ as well as some wicked summer vibe chill hop tracks coming very soon.
2020 is going to be the year of Diabetic! There are so many massive projects that I’ve been working on this year as a solo artist and collaboratively that I’ve been holding onto and still currently working on that are going to be finally released, such as my debut album which is looking like it’s going to be a 15 to 20 track LP titled Future Nostalgia which will be featuring some of Perth’s best artists and producers. I’m also working on a five track Lo-Fi EP with American Riddim and lo-fi producer TRENTCAST titled Lo-Sugar Lo-Fi. On top of all of this, there has been talk of a national tour for myself with Lakeside Collective, which could be something really exciting for the near future!
How did you get into hip hop and how long have you been doing this for?
I was always into hip hop music. It was always around me and one day I was at my homie’s house and he told me to give free styling a try when I was about 15 and so I tried and it went from there. We just kept having fun with freestyling till about half way through 2019 when I decided to get serious and dedicate myself to my art and really get out there.
What artists have influenced your style the most and why?
I would say 2pac and Snoop Dogg influenced my style the most. 2pac influenced me the most because he always rapped about real things going on and problems in society that don’t get talked about enough and I grew up listening to 2pac in my household. I say Snoop Dogg influenced my style too because his flow is so cool, calm and funky and I really feel like that that’s become a part of my style.
Where do you get your beats from and how do they shape the songs?
I get my beats from YouTube producers or local producers in Perth. I always make sure the beat is hot for my songs. I love my old school so my beats usually have an old school flavour to it.
Best hip hop artist ever and why?
I couldn’t say there’s a best hip hop artist. I think there are multiple artists that are great at what they do. Everyone has a different taste you know, like the saying goes “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.
And what up and comers should we look out for, either locally or from elsewhere?
I would say look out for me, Lil Mase, Diabetic, BLW and Izzar. Some of them have been rapping for a while but I feel like they’re still on the rise. There are so many artists out here in Perth and Australia it’s insane. Shout out to every up and comer in Perth! It’s all about the grind and who is going to stay consistent and relevant. I think Jaycee is definitely going to blow soon though, he’s been so consistent!
Favourite one liner?
2pac on Fuck The World when he said “never take your eyes off the prize, even if you getting high don’t ever hesitate to try, coz you could fall off or stay ballin.”
What is next for you musically, any further plans for 2019 and beyond?
I’m still building my foundation but there is an EP in the works with my homie Izzar and it’s gonna shake the game. I’m definitely going to continue working on my craft and keep recording songs in the meantime. There will definitely be more things coming.
How did you get into hip hop and how long have you been doing this for?
I first got into hip hop through Limp Bizkit, when I heard Redman and Method Man on a couple of their tracks. Best collab ever! That was about 20 years ago (laughs). I decided to dive right in and have been taking it seriously for the last three years.
What artists have influenced your style the most and why?
Definitely Method Man with the Wu-Tang warrior style, complex rhyme structures and untouched metaphors. Snoop Dogg with the smooth flow and G-funk style, Nas for his style and career, Jay Z and P Diddy for being inspirational motherfuckers!
Where do you get your beats from and how do they shape the songs?
I have gathered beats from all over the globe. Back in the day I got my first beats from Pauly P Hays and Creed Burch. I have been blessed with beats from Rhythmic Souls and Working Class too. All the beats off my new album come from producer Dramatic XL in the UK.
Best hip hop artist ever and why?
To be honest, for me, I can only really say Eminem. I gauge an artist by their message, style, production and overall career and when it comes to the greats, few have had as much of an impact on me personally and the entire globe as Eminem has. True legend.
And what up and comers should we look out for, either locally or from elsewhere?
Of course we got the Saturday Hip-Hop crew! Diabetic, Erny D and Tyron D. All amazing artists making big noise! Also there’s a good friend of mine MC Mike Slade who is an absolutely dope lyricist. The homie Myzphyt has an amazing style and message, watch out for him. Also Tarh One and MC Inazone from the Rhythmic Soulz!
Favorite one liner?
“A calm sea, never made for a skillful sailor.”
