Words by Christopher Kevin Au // Image by Jack Bennett

Sydney emcee Miracle has been a part of the local hip-hop scene for some years now, but 2016 marks his biggest evolution yet: WVS.

The recently-launched label has come armed with a new sound that’s unfamiliar to Australian rap, championing the more ominous and melodic soundscapes that are usually reserved for international artists. Indeed, the beat for ‘Blowin Up‘ is one of our favourites of the year so far – seeing Miracle team up with frequent WVS collaborators Manu Crooks and Dopamine, the latter of whom has been gaining spotlight for producing beats for recent Elefant Traks emcee B Wise.

Now, WVS has officially launched along with their first signees in Anfa Rose and Travy P, and are looking to change the face of Australian hip-hop as we know it. We had a chat to WVS head honcho Miracle about what he hopes to achieve with his latest venture:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3juqpnj4NdI

Can you tell us who exactly is WVS and what are you looking to create?

WVS is an independent record label, created to push the culture and start the new sound of Hip Hop in Australia.

You have been working with guys like Manu Crooks for a few years now. What inspired you to consolidate those relationships and build WVS?

A bunch of us have been working together for a while now. We all share a similar idea of what good music is and are inspired by each others talents. I guess it really just came down to the fact that I was tired of amazing talent being overlooked and I was tired of the lack of progression in Australian hip-hop. There’s a movement that’s not being heard, I just wanted to help create a platform for the culture.

WVS has a dedicated studio space in Alexandria. What made you guys choose that location and what is the energy like inside when you make music?

The studio space isn’t directly affiliated with WVS. We’ve had the space for a couple years now, it’s made up of a bunch of artists, producers, singers and songwriters. We all came together under one hub to have the creative freedom to make whatever music we want. The energy inside is always vibes, it’s a lifestyle. We’re there every single day collaborating and pushing each other to be the best in the country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4zXv6ys2t4

You have been dabbling more with production recently including tracks for heavyweights like Triple J’s Hau. How do you think this creative process differs from rapping?

The difference between the two is huge. For me writing came easy, production is making something from nothing. It took a year for me to properly learn how to put the right sounds together and make dope beats. I still don’t consider myself a producer – I still think I have so much to learn. Production is something that’s constantly evolving and forces you to continually adapt. If you don’t, your sound becomes outdated.

You also count producer Dopamine as a close collaborator on WVS releases so far. What do you think he is bringing to the table that Australian hip-hop hasn’t seen?

Dopamine’s going to be one of the biggest producers to ever come out of Australia. He brings the hardest knocking beats with soul – you can feel the emotion through his production. His beats tell their own story which coincide with whichever artists he chooses to work with.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03yqfaRtQpY

Dopamine has worked on a lot of releases with B Wise. How does it feel seeing B Wise sign to Elefant Traks – especially when that label has a whole separate fan base that might not have heard of you guys before?

B Wise is making moves, from the days with K1 he’s been paving the way for young ethnic Aussies who otherwise might not have been able to relate to or identify with Aussie hip-hop. Him signing to Elefant Traks means that the doors are starting to open, and the older heads are realising that there’s more than one way to do something. He is the new Aussie hip-hop.

How do you see WVS in relation to the rest of the Australian hip-hop scene?

I don’t, I don’t see any relation to the rest of the Australian hip-hop scene and that’s the point. It’s a new wave. I think the music will speak for itself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0n_l3cFtTA

Some other websites have compared your sound to OVO and the ilk. How do you feel about rappers like Drake and Young Thug injecting more melody into their bars in recent years? Do you feel its necessary to be able to rap and sing in 2016?

I feel like an artist should be able to do whatever he or she wants to do – the term rapper to me is outdated. Today’s rappers are artists. I don’t think its necessary though, if you can’t sing, don’t sing.

You made your first signees with Travy P and Anfa Rose, the latter of whom already collaborated with you on ‘Squad’. What can you tell us about these two artists and why you made them the initial members of WVS?

Anfa Rose is the most versatile artist I know. Everyone knows him for his singing but he might possibly be one of the best rappers in the country and I’ve never seen him write down lyrics. His worth ethic could match any international artist, he’s recorded enough songs to last him until 2018. Travy P is a white boy from Brisbane who has the sauce. He’s a character and isn’t trying to be anyone but himself. The first time we worked together we made three songs in one day. I believe that they are the best representations of what WVS is all about.

What should we be looking out for from WVS in 2016/2017?

Anthems. Songs that the kids around the world will relate to in various ways and projects from Anfa Rose, Travy P, myself and new artists to come.