Pez, 360, Maya Jupiter @ The Hi-Fi Bar, Melbourne (21/05/2011)
As the queue outside the Hi-Fi Bar in Melbourne trailed further and further down the iconic Swanston Street, many passers-by enquired into the event which hundreds and hundreds of people lined the cold streets for, a stock standard happening. One passer-by in particular was answered eagerly by a group of excited young and older boys and girls more than happy to scream in reply the answer to their question, ‘PEZ!’. The ‘Change It for the Better’ Tour not only boasted Australian rap prince Pez, but also the exciting up and comer 360 as well as Maya Jupiter. A tour with the goal of uniting the masses through hip hop was an extensive reminder of the power behind music in its ability to unify.
To kick start the event, rapper and younger brother of the headliner, Tys appropriately warmed up the eager crowd. Songs such as ‘Higher’ received a great attention and interest from the crowd who proved to be great fans of any sort of quality hip hop which was to come their way. Displaying a very Australian hip hop sound, not dissimilar to that of his older brother, Tys showed a considerable promise and a true indication of his style of music to come.
Next on was perhaps closest to the headliner in consideration for the set of the evening, rapper 360 wowed the crowd from start to finish. Already harbouring a mass following throughout his clever use of audience through the implementation of various social media forms, it was almost as if the crowd had been immediately transported to a headline gig of his own. ‘Do You Have A Dollar?’, ‘Electric Feel’ and ‘Pass Out’, all incorporating samples were true refreshing highlights of the set. The command which he possesses over the crowd is a skill which takes many artists years to adapt, and is a true testament to the character, drive and quality of the man himself. It is the clever use of samples and hooks which sets 360 apart from common Australian hip hop, and his own dynamic creations ‘Boys Like You’ and ‘Throw It All Away’ featuring Gossling and Josh Pyke on vocals respectively, are a great indicator of the future of 360. With his debut album ‘Falling & Flying’ to be released this September, 360 is set to give Aussie hip hop heavyweights a run for not only their money but also is shaping up to be a welcomed significant push of the current hip hop standard.
Next on was Maya Jupiter, mostly known throughout her hip hop work at radio station Triple J and is also a TV presenter on Channel V. Though her work in music entertainment is not her only claim to fame, Maya has performed in a number of rap and hip hop groups and ensembles in both Australia and around the world. Exploring her talent through her solo ventures, with an approaching album release, Maya was out to prove that the girls can do it just as well, if not better, than the boys. Taking the stage in a floor length Grecian style dress, Maya preached politics through her music in a creative way, more so than a forceful and ultimately obnoxious noticeable way. Tracks such as ‘Phenomenal’ capture the message of respect which echoes throughout Jupiter’s tracks, a noticeable supporter of the government’s own message behind ‘The Line’, a sponsor of the tour itself. ‘Canta’ explores the Latin vibe, which is so evident underneath her set for the night which kept the audience dancing in preparation for the headline set to come. With a concluding of the music, the message and a brief ode to her fellow tour buddies, Maya exited the stage, leaving a content audience.
In the moment that many of the audience members had been eagerly awaiting, Pez ascended the stage to a huge applause from his hometown crowd. A more mature looking man impressed the crowd from the start, blasting into songs like ‘Lost’ and ‘Ain’t Got Time’, demonstrating a developed prowess in the execution and the involvement of the crowd. Pez, real name Perry Chapman, shared a number of new songs with the revelling crowd, one song featuring his brother Tys, all receiving crowd feedback just as great and positive as the well known songs. Songs such as ‘I Wanna Go’ and ‘Heavenly’ off his incredibly well received top 20 ARIA charting debut album ‘A Mind Of My Own’, garnered a huge response from the crowd who sung along to every word. Perhaps though, the most memorable moment of the evening came through the performance of the songs ‘Just Got Started’ and the hit ‘The Festival Song’ which welcomed 360 back onto the stage. With the crowd at their pinnacle, screaming along to every word had both Pez and 360 in their element, a great credit to their combined genius for these songs. In moments which seemed to sincerely humble the hip hop MC, Pez continually thanked the crowd, showing an intense appreciation also by thanking his family and friends, particularly his parents whom he dedicated his song ‘Shine’ to, in a moving performance which was certainly a highlight of the night. Pez then exited the stage leaving the crowd beaming and intensely satisfied after a set of quality and promising hip hop, although there is no denying any more offerings from him would have been considered more than welcome.
While exiting the venue, one couldn’t help but be impressed and hopeful for the future of Aussie hip hop which has well and truly been ignited through the music of Pez, 360 and Maya Jupiter. A sense of pride rippled through the crowd as both they and the extended hip hop community eagerly await the releases of both Pez and 360, releases set to conquer the Australian charts, airwaves and audience once more.
Madeleine Green
To kick start the event, rapper and younger brother of the headliner, Tys appropriately warmed up the eager crowd. Songs such as ‘Higher’ received a great attention and interest from the crowd who proved to be great fans of any sort of quality hip hop which was to come their way. Displaying a very Australian hip hop sound, not dissimilar to that of his older brother, Tys showed a considerable promise and a true indication of his style of music to come.
Next on was perhaps closest to the headliner in consideration for the set of the evening, rapper 360 wowed the crowd from start to finish. Already harbouring a mass following throughout his clever use of audience through the implementation of various social media forms, it was almost as if the crowd had been immediately transported to a headline gig of his own. ‘Do You Have A Dollar?’, ‘Electric Feel’ and ‘Pass Out’, all incorporating samples were true refreshing highlights of the set. The command which he possesses over the crowd is a skill which takes many artists years to adapt, and is a true testament to the character, drive and quality of the man himself. It is the clever use of samples and hooks which sets 360 apart from common Australian hip hop, and his own dynamic creations ‘Boys Like You’ and ‘Throw It All Away’ featuring Gossling and Josh Pyke on vocals respectively, are a great indicator of the future of 360. With his debut album ‘Falling & Flying’ to be released this September, 360 is set to give Aussie hip hop heavyweights a run for not only their money but also is shaping up to be a welcomed significant push of the current hip hop standard.
Next on was Maya Jupiter, mostly known throughout her hip hop work at radio station Triple J and is also a TV presenter on Channel V. Though her work in music entertainment is not her only claim to fame, Maya has performed in a number of rap and hip hop groups and ensembles in both Australia and around the world. Exploring her talent through her solo ventures, with an approaching album release, Maya was out to prove that the girls can do it just as well, if not better, than the boys. Taking the stage in a floor length Grecian style dress, Maya preached politics through her music in a creative way, more so than a forceful and ultimately obnoxious noticeable way. Tracks such as ‘Phenomenal’ capture the message of respect which echoes throughout Jupiter’s tracks, a noticeable supporter of the government’s own message behind ‘The Line’, a sponsor of the tour itself. ‘Canta’ explores the Latin vibe, which is so evident underneath her set for the night which kept the audience dancing in preparation for the headline set to come. With a concluding of the music, the message and a brief ode to her fellow tour buddies, Maya exited the stage, leaving a content audience.
In the moment that many of the audience members had been eagerly awaiting, Pez ascended the stage to a huge applause from his hometown crowd. A more mature looking man impressed the crowd from the start, blasting into songs like ‘Lost’ and ‘Ain’t Got Time’, demonstrating a developed prowess in the execution and the involvement of the crowd. Pez, real name Perry Chapman, shared a number of new songs with the revelling crowd, one song featuring his brother Tys, all receiving crowd feedback just as great and positive as the well known songs. Songs such as ‘I Wanna Go’ and ‘Heavenly’ off his incredibly well received top 20 ARIA charting debut album ‘A Mind Of My Own’, garnered a huge response from the crowd who sung along to every word. Perhaps though, the most memorable moment of the evening came through the performance of the songs ‘Just Got Started’ and the hit ‘The Festival Song’ which welcomed 360 back onto the stage. With the crowd at their pinnacle, screaming along to every word had both Pez and 360 in their element, a great credit to their combined genius for these songs. In moments which seemed to sincerely humble the hip hop MC, Pez continually thanked the crowd, showing an intense appreciation also by thanking his family and friends, particularly his parents whom he dedicated his song ‘Shine’ to, in a moving performance which was certainly a highlight of the night. Pez then exited the stage leaving the crowd beaming and intensely satisfied after a set of quality and promising hip hop, although there is no denying any more offerings from him would have been considered more than welcome.
While exiting the venue, one couldn’t help but be impressed and hopeful for the future of Aussie hip hop which has well and truly been ignited through the music of Pez, 360 and Maya Jupiter. A sense of pride rippled through the crowd as both they and the extended hip hop community eagerly await the releases of both Pez and 360, releases set to conquer the Australian charts, airwaves and audience once more.
Madeleine Green