With many touting the Melbourne native’s flow to be one of the most impressive in the country, the promising 22-year-old is set to release his debut album The Stratosphere LP and taking on tour dates supporting GZA & Muggs.  Rezok catches up with him to talk about the release.

Tell us firstly about the origin of the name?

I figured I wanted to choose a stage name or pseudonym that I could relate to; so instead of choosing something corny I wanted to choose something different. I thought about what people try to do, everyone tried to be perfect, so I set this kind of ridiculous benchmark, I see it as something free of not being able to weaken and fall down.

And the name of the album, Stratosphere?

With stratosphere, I thought ‘where do I want to be?’ A lot of people frown on Australian hip hop, in terms of lyrics or music, people are too busy talking about beers, and I’m going to set a benchmark, so even if I get half way there I’ll be really glad. It’s the highest point on the scale and I’m striving for it.

Tell us about Aussie hip hop right now.

I’ve been in the scene for a few years; I released an EP when I was 18, so 4 years ago. There’s a whole bunch of new talent out there now; this new guy signed to Solid State Records; Haiku is releasing a new record in 2 months – and generally a lot of people are coming up to the next level. As new talent comes from the shadows, there will be an old school and new school thing, so there will be some division. There are people rocking beer raps and real raps. Hip hop has always been about progression, so it’s a matter of time before the new takes over.

You had some tough times growing up, tell us why?

One of the joints on the album is called The Great Demise.  When I was a kid my dad went to jail and left the family in demise, so on that track I recall the way it affected me as a kid. A lot of people keep diaries, I keep raps, half my life is written down. People’s past is what builds them up to what they are, and struggles in life build your character. Would I still be rapping if it didn’t happen? Sure. I sucked back then. But its one of those things that’s me, listening to Informer and trying to impress girls, that’s how far back it goes!

And your musical influences?

My sister was getting professional singing lessons since she was 8, and was really good, winning competitions and stuff. I was the younger brother and thinking and listening about it all, and I though this music thing is alright – she introduced me to Rnb from an early age and it naturally progressed – then I started picking up hip hop CDs and now I made an album!

Tell us how you write – where does your inspiration come from?

I used to have an answer to this question. I would listen to a beat and let the beat inspire me, if the drums were marchy I’d make a kind of battle star rap. Now I write a verse and, I don’t really jot down notes, I love finding new inspiration. I’m even thinking about new thoughts for the next album. Hip hop is a natural evolution, you look at Nas, Rakim – you had Illmatic and then God’s Son. I will rap about all kinds of different things, but right here, I’m sure I got a good album.

So how did the album come about?

Basically after I put out my EP, after I put that out, it was a big learning curve. I thought this EP was ok, but after 6 months I thought I was over it, I was 18 and wanted to put out a record but needed to get distributors and somewhere to record and mix it down. Then, after I released it, I thought I needed to succeed in something and I hooked up with Lewis and started working with him and now he is producing big albums – he is about to explode, he had his finger in about a thousand different pies. Then I met with a guy, Josh – who used to run a night in the city. I said I wanna make a record and he said he would sign it, so he setup the record label, Taos, and we became the first hip hop label to sign to Shock Records. Mine is the first one, and we’re really happy with it – the positive reviews and all.

What about your hookups on the album?

I got Justice, Suffa, Weapon X, Phrase – they’re all mates and they bring a real international quality to the album. That’s what I’m striving for; I’m looking at being as good as any dudes overseas.

And what are you hopes for the album?

Getting it out to as many people as we can, money is secondary to it, hip hop is about expression and like minded people. I just want to reach people and inspire people and then my job is done, if I make money that’s fantastic, but it’s all about being a rapper – write about my feelings and my thoughts.

So you’re supporting Muggs and Genius – is that a dream?

Man, it’s ridiculous, I’m living my dream. Every day I speak to my manger on the phone, its Taos time! He’s always got time for me and I still can’t believe that we put in a submission and ours was accepted. I’m so proud to be rockin’ it with the best!

TOUR DATES (supporting GZA & Muggs)
Tuesday 9th May – Perth / Metro City
Thursday 11th May – Sydney / Home Nightclub
Friday 12th May – Brisbane / The Arena
Saturday 13th May – Melbourne / Metro Nightclub