Turning up early to Laundry, the place was still yet to fill out. After checking out downstairs I ventured upstairs to find Wasabi playing to a still mainly empty house. Venturing outside for a smoke (it’s CHINESE New Year that I’m going to quit) waiting for mates to rock up, back inside to watch Braydead’s set, which I was very pleasantly surprised by, I have caught a few of his sets here and there, and this was definitely the best yet.
Got my head nodding more than once, had some nice beats and the rhymes fit tight, he did great work as an opening act. Braydead is a true larrikin rapper, calls it how he sees it, he is who he is and makes no presence at being anything else, thus keeping it real.
Dazed and Flawless were up next and the venue was starting to fill up more. I’d not seen these guys before and I really enjoyed their set, they were well synchronized, the only thing I thought was perhaps they just needed to take it up another notch, perhaps push the limit a little more, a few of their tracks seemed to veer on the safe side of things. But they’re most definitely an act that I’d like to catch again.
Another smoke break meant I missed most of Jwaters’ set, however, I already know he is, in my opinion, one of the most original and talented artists in Melbourne right now. Lyrically he is awesome, he makes his own banging beats and brings to the table something that is entirely his own unique style. It works well live as well as on record, and I have gotten a lot of mileage out of his EP and always enjoyed his sets.
Affiks rocked some tidy tracks between sets, and by this stage the place was getting rowdy, kept popping upstairs for a quick look at the drum and bass, which was all top notch. And I must confess I also missed the most of 360’s set because of this factor combined with more cigarette breaks, however what I did catch I enjoyed. 360 is one very talented guy, and someone that I think will go far in taking his brand of hip hop out there and making a big impact on the Australian scene.
Minutz from 3to2 did a professional job as the host of the evening, and while the crowd was not huge, it did get quite packed, and there was an eclectic mix of hip hoppers, a bit of a cross over with the drum n’ bass heads from upstairs and a large contingency of the girl skaters turned up from the all girl skating contest the previous day where Gabi and Lou had played. On the topic of Gabi and Lou, they’re a seasoned duo that have been holding it down in Sydney for the last couple of years, really good to be able to see them down here for a couple of shows.
Gabi is one of the best freestyle MCs in Australia, and I make that call with certainty. Her written lyrics are bang on point, with intelligent killer savvy raps; she drives her point’s home with finesse and flair. A battle veteran and mental gymnast, the rhymes flip trickily, and the wit jumps slickly. And Lou’s cuts are outstanding, and she did the backups for Gabi incredibly well, Lou is also an adroit rhyme smith on her own right, both written and freestyle, although their new set is focusing more on Gabi’s stanzas and Lou on the decks and backups, and it all works exceptionally well.
The guys from Last Credit I have always liked since I saw them in Sydney a few years ago, and it makes me happy to see them doing great. Last Credit consists of MC JMC and MC/producer Maekism, and onstage they have such a champion rapport, their close friendship is obvious in the way that they communicate with each other, and the sterling way in which their rhymes fit with in each other. The beats were heavy and almost somewhat quirky, a bit of an electro edge I thought, as well of course their signature rock/rap hybrid edge type of hip hop. With their new album out now from Nurcha Records Breakfast of Champs, Last Credit are set to take Nurcha to centre stage. I think Last Credit have something authentic and different to offer Australian hip and will only be moving forward to greater heights as they continue.
Upstairs after the hip hop jam was over, with drum n’ bass DJ Shimone cranking out one of the best drum n’ bass sets I’ve ever witnessed; this guy really knows how to move a crowd. It was fun to rediscover my love of drum n’ bass. The Laundry does a great job in supporting live music in general, and especially is fantastic in the way that it supports the local (and interstate) hip hop acts. People should also check out Monday nights there, for free weekly hip hop and drink specials.
Ms Von D says...
was supposed to say braydead makes no PRETENCE not prescence but i dunno how to edit it
Ms Von D says...
was supposed to say braydead makes no PRETENCE not prescence but i dunno how to edit it
Ms Von D says...
was supposed to say braydead makes no PRETENCE not prescence but i dunno how to edit it
Ms Von D says...
was supposed to say braydead makes no PRETENCE not prescence but i dunno how to edit it
Ms Von D says...
oops and now i don't know how to delete my dum multiple comment