The Corner seems to really stand out as one of the best venues, sound wise, for hip hop gigs. I’ve enjoyed every show I’ve seen there, so I was looking forward to another good night.

Thundamentals opened the show with one of the strongest icebreaker sets I’ve seen. DJ Morgs and Tommy Fiasko were onstage first, playing some tasty beats and cuts to get the audience awake, and then the two emcees jumped up. I’d not had the chance to catch these guys play before, nor really heard any of their stuff, and I must confess I was initially a little skeptical. Perhaps they would veer towards the formulaic… however I ended up pleasantly surprised. It took a few tracks for me to really warm to them, but eventually I saw through the cheeky larrikin-style rhymes, to find the deeper and more insightful side.

Thundamentals originally hail from the Blue Mountains, and they reminded me of the weather in the mountains there. The set seemed to start with a light mist, a smattering of rain. The frontmen MC Tuka and Jeswon have a kinetic and electric energy, with an almost theatric air, backed up by lovely stomping beats with a splash of Latin grooves and an almost reggae or ska feel. Soon enough Thundamentals came in hard, like a storm bursting forth like a force of nature. Lighthearted and fun without being too flippant, Thundamentals have the party vibe on lockdown with subtle twists of seriousness.

I was mainly interested in seeing Spit Syndicate tonight. There’s been some recent talk recently with them hailed “the future of Australian Hip Hop” in an Obese press release. When an act is talked up a lot I tend to become a little dubious, but I was definitely interested in seeing what all the fuss was about, so I approached their set with an open mind. No sooner had they taken to the stage, my mind was swiftly blown apart by their sheer brilliance. Nick Lupi and Jimmy Nice make up the duo, magically backed by the cuts and the dulcet tones of DJ Joyride. Spit Syndicate take the listener on a journey that’s joyful and beautiful, moody and spectral. They’re anomalous amongst a quagmire of acts trying to outdo each other at the same thing, so they could very well be the future of the scene. It’s not that they’re the “best” act per se, but with Australian hip hop having become comfortable within its own sound and style, it takes acts like Spit Syndicate are to push the boundaries.

I can’t wait to get my hands on their album. The singing style and quirky poetic nature of their rhymes are inimitable, yet they still hold their own place with a distinctive Sydney feel. Spit Syndicate pour their heart and soul into their performances, and tonight they graced the stage with an unprecedented routine. They’re a prodigious pair, and they’re impressively talented emcees with a lot to say so I’ll be watching with great interest to see what they have to offer in the future. I have a lot of ‘favorite’ Oz hip hop acts, but these guys are truly something different. I was impressed and hope they continue to stay true to their creative talent, never trying to conform to any “successful” or marketable mold.

Pegz finished up the show with what I must say was a rather lackluster performance compared to the last time I saw him live. Although I can see why, because previously it was his album launch and the final show of a successful tour in his home town, so the energy was high. Tonight I kind of got the feeling that perhaps Pegz was happy to step aside a little, letting Spit Syndicate take the spotlight. Pegz has done well to get Spit Syndicate aboard the Obese train. Overall, another night of quality hip hop from the Obese stable.