Experience ‘jazz drill’ with SAIF, the young Aussie-Bangladeshi rapper, as he unveils his fifth album, Pablo.
“I stay humble, true to the hustle”, proclaims SAIF on Pablo’s titular lead single. Considering the album’s main lyrical themes concern hardships in the music industry, these opening lines are thematically on-point.
Amidst the sun-soaked landscapes of Australia, a distinctive hip hop fusion blossoms, infusing the nation’s rich cultural tapestry with an unwavering commitment to artistic expression, producing a resonant sound that transcends borders. Embracing Sydney as a second home, SAIF’s evolution in Aussie hip hop and R&B has been nothing short of remarkable, illuminating the scene with a dazzling discography that continues to dazzle.
From his conceptual debut album Blue City in 2016 to the introspective and heartfelt approach of 2019’s Roses, SAIF keeps offering new musical styles to his fans, grounded within the lore of modern hip hop.
Considering SAIF’s incorporation of live instrumentation combined with electronic sounds in many of his other releases, it’s fitting that ‘Pablo’ begins with dreamy electric guitar, channeled through the retro atmosphere of medium-fidelity sampling.
True to form, rapid trap hi-hats and punchy deep bass enter shortly after, jolting us to attention while SAIF delivers his rhymes. Later in the track, the jazzy sounds of a saxophone mingle vividly with the instruments chosen to be on display.
Like all great rappers, SAIF meticulously crafts the beats to captivate and amplify the lyrics, not overshadow them. Once more, he proves he’s risen like Pompeii from the ashes.With conscious, rapid-fire lyrics that are earnest, easygoing, cocky, and unpretentious in equal measure, SAIF is indeed a complex character.
Moreover, SAIF’s music is a colourful tapestry woven with a vibrant array of influences. Whether it be the integration of his South Asian Roots through being born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, his Islamic faith or broader Australian culture, his music is loaded with substance and soul, which is balanced with toughness and elegance.
Over the years, SAIF’s impressive talents have taken him to some high-profile performances at big-name Australian venues. When not engaged in frequent touring, SAIF has captivated audiences in places such as Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Fishers Ghost Festival in Campbelltown and Think+Do Tank at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.
Wrap your earholes around Pablo:
Review By Corin Shearston
