I was heaps stoked to hear that Braintax, Mystro and Disorda were not only gracing our shores, but were reserving a Friday night to play in Canberra. Beats 2 the Rhyme and 1NELINE ent. were the folks that made it happen, and they deserve much repsect for promoting such a quality international act.

I had almost had the chance to see Mystro play last time I was in Melbourne, but unfortunately I was too peasant to be able to catch him. Naturally, I was extremely geed up to see him in Canberra, and with Braintax, Disorda and the cream of the local crop on the bill, I couldn’t have asked for more.

I arrived to hear Buick winding down his set. It was still relatively early and people were loitering around the bar and sitting inconspicuously around the edges of the club. As of yet the dance floor was still empty, people preferring to sit, chat, and wind down after a hard week’s work.  

D’opus was next to step up to the plate, cranking out his signature lashings of funk-infused hip hop with a razor sharp edge.  He dropped “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” as a tribute to the recently deceased ODB, which got a response from the crowd. As he worked his magic, he slowly started luring people onto the dancefloor. The highlight of his set was when he scratched the fuck out of “Peter Piper” by Run DMC.  As one punter commented on his copious scratching:
“It’s Rossco land, where scratches are plentiful.” Damn straight.

Newsense of Hospice was up next, which surprised me a little, as it meant that the Aussie Digga’s had won the prime slot.  I guess I still see Hospice as largely being based interstate even though Newsense is now living back in Canberra.  Anyway, as the advertisements implied, it wasn’t the usual pairing of Newsense and Ciecmate, but Newsense and Paranoia.  Despite the absence of Ciecmate, fan’s had nothing to worry about, as Paranoia has been rhyming for many years, and was more than qualified to fill Ciecmate’s shoes for the night. 

The fellas performed with the usual gusto associated with the Hospice crew, giving the requisite shoutouts to those drinking and smoking.  Although most of the songs they did were songs by Newsense and Ciecmate, Paranoia didn’t miss a beat.  Even the new song or two came off without a hitch, (though Newsense assured me that they had hurriedly practised it the night before!) All in all their rhymes were punchy and elaborately structured, and they got a mad response from the crowd. They are definitely are of a national grade.

Next up were local heroes, Nick G, D.C. and Buick of the Aussie Diggas.  These fellas have built up a strong local fan base, and the progressively drunken crowd were increasingly jubilant in their support. They performed all the old favourites, with mates in the crowd singing along loudly. Their rhymes have really progressed and they have an obvious rapport on stage, which makes for a great live show. You gotta love it when the performers look like they’re having the time of their life.

One song I found pretty funny was “The Ultimate Pair.” The MCs kept going on about how rad they were, but didn’t give a shoutout to the man on the wheels of steel, Buick!  (Maybe something to think about in the future, boys.) They finished off their set by asking local dynamos Anton and Robbie up to the stage.  This was a definite highlight, as these boys have talent to spare. Gotta love the four MC mash-up. 

Last up to the stage were those geezers who need no introduction, Lowlife’s own Mystro, Braintax and Disorda.  Although the dancefloor had seemed a little sparse before they hit the stage, it was suddenly packed full as people strained to get a prime position for the show.  Braintax looked kinda like that nerdy guy in your science class, while Mystro, on the other hand, seemed like a charismatic ball of energy just waiting to be unleashed.  It may sound like an unlikley pairing, but when they started rhyming over Disorda’s beats they had a mad rapport. 

Although the turn-out was not quite as big as hoped, those in the know were fully getting into it, jumping around and singing along.  There was one very off-tap looking guy who could not hold back his excitement, insisting on shaking Mystro’s hand several times thoughout the show.  Highlights included “Birofunk,” “Move Yourself,” “Don’t Drag me in,” “Grip” and their blazing freestyles. Braintax also performed part of a song acapella, which was a true testament to his ability. Not many people can pull that kinda shit off.

The thing I loved most about these guys was that not only were their rhymes tight and insightful, but they were funny as hell!! Its obvious that they don’t take themselves too seriously, something that was made clear by their comic rendition of “Straight Outta Compton”, renamed “Straight Outta London.” They kicked into their energetic rendition with a mad b-boy pose, before rushing around the stage. They were in fact so energetic that Braintax fell over onstage, but was able to right himself just in time for his finishing crossed-arm posture. Nice one.

It was heaps refreshing to see an act of such amazing skill and energy, who are not only thought-provoking, but have the capacity to make you laugh.  Too often these days hip hop seems to be all about the ego. These guys showed that it can be about so much more then that. Definitely one of the tightest hip hop acts I’ve had the pleasure of seeing.  Big ups to all involved.