Words by Christopher Kevin Au // Images by Sticks & Stones Agency //
2017 might be the year that Australian hip-hop broadened its horizons, but Sydney rapper Phillabu$trr still managed to raise plenty of eyebrows with his new single, ‘Get You Off.’
A half-rapped, half-crooned anthem that features a dominatrix leaving Phillabu$trr bound and gagged, it’s surely one of the year’s most out there releases, arriving to give the tail end of 2017 a much-needed shake-up. Following the release of the single, we chat to Philla about the message behind his new song and video, the giant Versace tattoo on his back, and just how much unreleased heat he’s going to drop in 2018:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHgycoEe5g8
Congrats on your new single ‘Get You Off’ – what has the response been so far? It’s a pretty intense song/video combination.
The response to the video has been nothing but love! It was made to invoke a reaction (especially from close minded people) the reaction so far has been insanely positive. It makes me really happy! I’m at the point where it feels like people are ready for this now.
In the video you have a big cameo from Mistress Tokyo, a dominatrix who basically beats the shit out of you. What can you tell us about her, and how did you guys link up?
Mistress Tokyo is an amazing person. She introduced me to a dark, dark world that was completely unfamiliar to me. She is the loveliest woman, until she gets in character then is honestly one of the scariest people I’ve met, mad Jeckyll and Hyde! I met her through my stylist friend Kurt Johnson, after explaining to him the concept of the video.
Was it awkward at all, getting bound and gagged during the video? Did you and Mistress Tokyo undergo any icebreaking activities first?
It was pretty intense! The chemistry between us was beautiful though. We met up several times to story board and explore her love dungeon. By the time it came to shooting there was an understanding of what was in store for me and became very comfortable with her. The awkward part came from the dozen crew members I barely knew, watching me dangle like a pin cushion from the ceiling.
The choice of having a dominatrix was very intentional on your part. What message were you trying to get across?
Honestly, my thinking is that men use women as objects, especially within hip-hop culture. The basis of the idea was a visual punishing of misogyny and subverting the male gaze and flipping the accepted power structure.
That touches on your views on objectification of women in hip-hop. Do you think that’s changing with the new generation of artists?
Maybe a little bit, but honestly no, almost all rappers still talk about women as needing five of them, or things that drain you of your money and time. Artists like Future and Uzi are amazing, but still often say things like “don’t need the bitch” and “never love a ho.” These attitudes demean women and generally set back society. The more people that think that mentality is okay, the more oppression we see within the sexes.
In the video, we also get a peek at your extremely large Versace tattoo on your back. How long did that tattoo take, and how long before you get an official Versace sponsorship?
Haha, honestly that was a Thailand scar that I don’t really remember getting! I woke up in the morning with my buddy and he got his mate’s initials on his knee in big 90s grafitti bubble writing. I woke up, checked my skin for ink and found none… when I got up to go to the bathroom my friend screamed “Oh my god, you fucking idiot.” Then I saw what I had done in the mirror.
No sponsorship on the table right now, but when I️ walked for (French label) Faith Connexion last year, the Creative Director took a photo and exclaimed, “She will love it” in a quirky French accent. So I think they’ve seen it.
If we paid you $100,000 to get a Skechers logo tattooed on your forehead, would you do it?
Honestly I like Sketchers a lot, especially those D’lite joints with the glitter and fat heel. I’d probably do it, I’ve never really had much regard for being taken seriously and, if given $100,000 I’d definitely be able to do some cool shit. Maybe this is the birth of MC Skechy.
Last Christmas you collaborated with Kwame and Bad Santa. Any local rappers you’d like to link with before the year’s end?
I’ve mountains of respect for Kwame and the boys over at Bodega Collective, they’re all good boys. Definitely wouldn’t mind doing another joint with Kwame, he pushes me to be better when we record because he’s so damn fire, it’s hard to keep up. Other than him, would love to do some stuff with Cult Shotta or Manu Crooks, they make me proud to be from here.
What gifts is Philla hoping to get this Christmas?
Hey, honestly just enough money to pay rent, Sydney’s crazy like that. We bought some Christmas costumes for my cat, that’s seriously all I’m looking forward to… Actually, maybe a jet ski.
What’s on the cards for Philla as we head into 2018?
2018 is the year I️ do everything I️ said I️ was going to do. You heard it here first. I️ know as an artist I️ haven’t done enough to be where I️ want to be. I have 82 unreleased songs ready to go next year. I️ hope to push a positive message of equality through the sexes and challenge people’s concepts of what they think is socially acceptable, especially within hip-hop.
I️ will be back and forth from here and America (Los Angeles) working with artists and creators. I️ have huge plans for next year, the future is the only way forward! Thank you for you time.
