Words by Christopher Kevin Au //
Having already released one of our favourite tracks of the year with ‘Don’t Care No More‘ alongside Tornts, Perth emcee Shadow is ending 2018 with a bang.
He’s been bodying sold-out shows all year with his assertive approach to rhyming, and recently stepped into the triple j studios for a massive grime cypher with 11 other emcees. While he was up in triple j headquarters, Shadow also announced that he was the latest signee to veteran hip-hop label Golden Era, and unveiled his first release under their banner: ‘CREAM.’ The bulldozing track has since been gaining widespread acclaim in Australia and the UK, with Shadow’s buzz building confidently into 2019.
With so much happening in Shadow’s world, we took a few minutes to chat to him about his latest career developments, the Perth scene, and what he wants for Christmas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csaQ2usslUM
Congrats on signing to Golden Era. How does it feel joining a label that has such a rich history in local hip-hop?
Thank you brother. Yeah, it’s still hard to believe as I grew up listening to everyone on the label, but it does feel like an achievement!
Your latest track ‘CREAM’ has been getting a lot of love locally, but also from the UK. How does it feel knowing that producers and musicians from the UK are feeling your music?
It’s been good to see the reactions CREAM has been getting, I’ve been holding onto the track and clip for a few months now. Yeah the UK have been showing love a lot lately which is good, I feel like the Aus & UK scenes work well together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H0wn2OCikE
You came here from South Africa at a young age. What was your first exposure to hip-hop? Which artists did you take influence from?
When I moved here I met one of my day one homies, Marshy and he introduced me to Big L, Pun, Nas etc. which influenced me a lot. Especially Big L, I had to get him tattooed on my arm.
You’ve got an EP coming out next year, where you’ve said you’d like to expand beyond your grime roots. In what ways do you think you’ve grown/evolved on the project?
Yeah man, CREAM is going to be a lot different than just grime, to be honest I don’t think I have any grime beats on there but I just kept my grime flow. Hard and slower beats, also a couple of club bangers. I was really selective with my producers for this and majority come from the UK like GOTTIONEM, Shadow On The Beat and Mikabeats . Every track from start to finish is a banger and I can’t wait to show people. I feel like I’ve evolved a lot over the past 2 years as an artist and this project will show that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPVRgfwZ9F4
Shadow also likes his Air Max… what would the Shadow x Nike collaboration sneaker look like?
Haha maaaaaan! A Shadow x Nike, would have to say an Air Max 97 hybrid of some sort, or a Tailwind.
Some of the best hip-hop parties in the country are happening in Perth right now. What is the scene like in Perth right now, and who are some other Perth artists we should be across?
Perth is a weird but dope scene, I feel nothing pops in Perth unless people talk about it, the day drinking events like Seasons Pineapple Club and One Day are so sick! Dangerous, but sick. I feel like Perth needs to give artists who are popping in the city a shot though… Some artists to look out for next year are Jose Halftime, the OD Clan boys are working hard too, Call The Coroner and Jaycee also too talented.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5FbBZKy2Tg
We also hear you might have a collaboration with Perth label Streetx in the works… anything you can tell us about that?
Yeah me and Daniel have been talking about doing a Streetx & Shadow collaboration, we’re just waiting on designs and it should be good to go! Shoutout Streetx, always support your locals.
What are you hoping to get for Christmas?
Shadow would like both tigers and hyper blues for Christmas!
What can we expect from Shadow for the rest of 2018 and into 2019?
For the rest of the year I think I’m just gonna pattern stuff up, get videos ready to drop in the new year and start this takeover. So for 2019, expect shows and music you’ve never witnessed from me before.
