Here’s something that might shock you, dear readers. I’m probably the last person you should ask anything about rap and hip-hop, for various reasons.
Yet, I frequently find myself approached by emerging artists in that space with requests to review their releases. After checking my playlists and posts on this blog, it also dawned on me that I actually follow a heap of acts repping the hip-hop movement.
So, I decided it was finally time to educate myself more about the genre that revolutionised music when I was younger. The result is season six of my Silly Talks Music podcast, with the first episodes dropping this week.
PART 205 OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE
Let me give you a quick overview of my rap education so far.
I grew up in the 1980s and 1990s when the hip-hop movement gained significant traction in youth circles. But even though these were my formative musical years, rap was never my go-to genre. I didn’t follow popular rappers or go to local rap battles, nor did I wear baggy jeans and oversized jerseys.
One of my first boyfriends was into the hip-hop scene, though. While I was fascinated with grunge back then, we respected each other’s musical choices. I had no option but to learn about and listen to Cypress Hill, Public Enemy, or Dr. Dre.
Many moons later, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in the London screening of Ice-T’s movie Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap and the Q&A with the artist.
That was also when I decided to follow the music journalism path. Funnily, one of the first professional courses I completed was on the four pillars of hip-hop. Quite a coincidence, hey?
Until that point, it was mostly about American and British hip-hop, though.
Coincidentally, when I lived in Oz, one of the first artists I had dealings with was Canberra-based punk rapper Kirklandd. Later, I was fortunate to work on a project with Amnesty International in Melbourne that engaged Aboriginal hip-hop artist Philly. The Bad Apples Music bossman Briggs spared some time for an interview on this blog a few years ago as well.
I have enormous respect for creators in that space. In fact, Kneecap – the Irish group who partially rap in their native language, the internationally famous British artist Stormzy, whose autobiographical book “Rise Up: The #Merky Story So Far” I read in one day, and Miss Kannina, the bad-ass First Nations muso making waves in the Aussie business right now, are amongst my faves in the genre.
Yet, I would never call myself an expert in the genre. On the contrary, far from it. So I reckon the best way to change that is to chat directly with musos shaping the hip-hop scene today.
Especially since I have a cool platform to do so. That is why I’m dedicating season six of my ‘Silly Talks Music’ podcast to the hip-hop scene in the Land Down Under.
And what a treat you’re getting to start with!
DEVAURA was born in New Zealand but grew up in Australia. She burst onto the music scene in 2023, stirring things up considerably since then. She frequently appears on the “ones to watch” rankings, has made notable appearances at BIGSOUND and SXSW Sydney and gained support from the influential Australian youth broadcaster triple j and the renowned Sydney station FBi Radio.
Interestingly, when we spoke on Zoom, one of the first things she stated was that she preferred calling herself a “student of rap”. And that, ladies and gents, is the perfect introduction to this season of the podcast. Because ultimately, that’s what I am as well, albeit on the receiving side.
In the two episodes this week, DEVAURA talks about being a part of the Western Sydney music scene. She also takes me through the creative process with her team from the perspective of someone with no formal music education. Lastly, she breaks down how she leverages storytelling in her lyrics and why world-building is the way to go to engage listeners.
More interviews are on the way. Bear in mind that they’ll be coming less frequently this time. Because it’s more about the right guests than about dropping the episode for the heck of it.
So don’t forget to follow or sign up to the pod on the streaming platform of your choice. And maybe leave a review somewhere if you dig the chat? 😉
More posts about Aussie hip-hop this way:
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Silly McWiggles blog & podcast 