Every so often, we in the ACT get treated to some seriously worthwhile interstate visitors, and thanks to Nurcha Records and Maxlutz, the Pegz album launch for Burn City was arguably one of 2007’s highlights for Canberra hip hop, and music generally. Along with MC Patto and DJ Bonez, the newly renovated Venue quickly filled up with a phenomenally supportive crowd. As if that wasn’t enough, Canberrans were lucky enough to experience the entire Nurcha Records roster, as well as Drake MC, Coptic Soldier and local crew Lyrical Wax. What ensued was a top night of hip hop which well and truly set the tone for the party season.

Lyrical Wax kicked off proceedings early on in the piece, and for a crew who have only been performing together for under a year, they have certainly matured and developed in their track choice and stage presence, as well as having amassed a loyal group of followers. It’s difficult enough to find room on any given stage for 2-3 people all bouncing around, let alone double that, so props to the lads for executing a tight performance with such limited space.

Drake MC and Coptic Soldier followed up Lyrical Wax’s set, and with their collaboration in full swing, and having supported the likes of Def Wish Cast and Planet Asia, we can expect to hear more of their eclectic and individual choice of beats in the near future. Let us also not fail to mention DJ Illa, who provided a fresh mix of his own tunes and the funkiest hip hop out, as well as supporting several of the Nurcha artists. Natural Causes provided the crowd with an energetic and tight set as always, performing tracks from the recently released Incidental Noise Demo. In particular Be Cheesy got the crowd well excited and all the more pumped for the acts which were to follow. Double and Big Lu similarly provided their audience with some inspirational beats to bang to and rocked a tight set.

Last Credit were riding high off the release of their first album Breakfast of Champs in August of this year, and their conduct on and off the stage was as per usual professional and uplifting. They have endured a magnitude of good feedback and exposure from their release, and their performance reminded us as to see why these boys are so deserving of their success. Mind over Matter have also experienced a fantastic year with the release of their video for Proud, and their album Keepin’ it Breezy due to drop in early 2008. They amped the crowd with their electric chemistry and delivered a masterful execution of their tracks, whipping the crowd into a frenzy in time for Pegz’ set, which was essentially the highlight of a night packed with dope artists.

The CEO of Obese Records certainly didn’t fail to impress either. His October release Burn City was a range of jazzy, funky and soulful tracks which defied predictability and provided for a diverse and fortifying set. With featured artists such as Muph, MC Patto, Planet Asia and the Funkoars just to name a few, Burn City should indeed reap the rewards of long and hard work, and which will inevitably contribute further to his accomplishments as both an artist and a CEO.

All up it was a spectacular night and not one artist disappointed. If this gig has set the benchmark for what we can expect of Canberra hip hop, then bring on 2008.