Words by Declan Whelan // Images via Facebook

We’re not entirely sure where the first three months of this year have gone but with March pretty much wrapped up, we look back on some of our favourite local hip hop releases of the month.

Raj Mahal ‘All Aboard’

The Boston-born, Sydney-based rapper kicked off the year with an eye-catching verse on Triple One track ‘Jitter’ and has kept that momentum going with the release of two singles since. True to form, ‘What Da Deal’ packs more punch than an uppercut after wisdom tooth surgery while his latest one, ‘All Aboard’, is an I Digress produced pearler that shows a more refined approach to the relentless ferocity for which he’s established himself as one of the most exciting voices in Sydney. You can catch Raj Mahal live at Waywards for the official ‘All Aboard’ single launch in Newtown tonight. A few last minute tickets are available via the link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqSQXMiMQfY

Naeem ‘Shiraz’

Originally released back in 2017, the track was picked up and re-released on Gangster Doodles’ highly regarded collaborative project Gangster Music Vol. 1. The Sydney-via-Perth rapper is the only Australian inclusion on the collaborative effort which also features tracks from Kaytranada and Madlib. That’s a really unique achievement in itself but Naeem’s flow is butter on the effortlessly smooth track and feels perfectly at home alongside such elite company on the record. Naeem is keeping a low profile for now but stay glued for more to come from this supremely talented rhymer.

Triple One ‘Butter’

‘Butter’ is a bit of a change of pace for Triple One who collectively lower their guard on this really personal track. The song is hook heavy and has a lighter beat in juxtaposition to its heavier content that’s disarming in a way that takes the edge off a conversation around mental health without taking anything away from the subject matter. It’s ok not to be ok all the time, and it’s really refreshing to see that vulnerability being opened up on in hip hop. The boys are taking ‘Butter’ up and down the East Coast in June. Event info and tickets via the link.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psBCp2_qiRI

Lauren. ‘Move That’

The second Bodega x Mozaick match up to feature on this list is Lauren.’s fierce new single ‘Move That’. The track picks up where 2018 singles ‘Sushi’ and ‘You Broke’ left off and once again features Kwame production that perfectly complements her hard-hitting delivery. Lauren.’s raps crackle with confidence and ‘Move That’ is another statement of intent from an artist coming for hers with purpose and precision. Watch this space.

Yaw. ‘Free Zone’

Known across social platforms as @yawdoesitall, Yaw. (which rhymes with now, not law) really is doing the most. The 21 year old has been making moves behind the scenes in film and photography for a minute but with the release of ‘Free Zone’ the cat is well and truly out of the bag. A technically gifted rapper, ‘Free Zone’ is a smooth and funky number that meshes different sonic elements to his 2018 debut single ‘The Man’ and has dope visuals to boot. Keep an eye out for new new from the young man who seems to be defining and refining his sound with each release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCki2FmBcjA