Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop’s birth, we explore Western Sydney’s standout artists.
It was 50 years ago, 11th of August,1973, that DJ Kool Herc and friend Coke La Rock were entertaining a back-to-school party when DJ Kool decided to try something different with the turntable; extending an instrumental beat, allowing the crowd to dance longer and giving Coke La Rock the chance to begin rapping over the top of the beat, thus creating history.
This is widely referenced as the birth of hip-hop. To commemorate what is an iconic piece of music history, Happy looks at our favourite hip-hop artists of Western Sydney.
The triple treat of artist, producer and engineer that is Big Skeez combines the afrobeat and reggae influences of his childhood with the modern Western Sydney upbringing to create
He uses his music to create conversation about his multicultural background, encouraging African Australians such as him to dive into the histories and legacies of their cultures. This is highlighted in his latest release ‘Go Back Home’, reflecting on his determination to return to his African homeland.
The Ghanaian-born, Sydney-raised rapper began his musical career playing drums at church, saying that’s what taught him the importance of rhythm and timing. From there, he picked up the guitar.
The broad mix of genres in his music, such as hip-hop, R&B and grunge can be traced back to his taste in music growing up and his top musical influencers; Kanye West, Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain.
Born in South Granville, A.Girl is an R&B/hip hop artist with a ‘music or nothing’ mentality that has helped transport her to legendary status.
She uses that status to speak on topics such as turf wars and building a better future for the next generation of Polynesians. This is seen specifically in her 2021 single ‘Vision’.
With his debut album ‘Area Famous’ being described as a moment when the Australian rap scene shifted and expanded, B Wise was immediately celebrated throughout the Australian music scene.
From there, he has since unified the Australian scene through his collaborations with a wide variety of artists, from ONEFOUR to Sampa the Great.
His powerful mix of storytelling skills and ability to defy genres has since earnt him countless awards.
“The experimentalism of Brockhampton and the laid-back confidence of Vince Staples” is an impressive title to earn and one that Kwame holds.
The hip-hop prodigy first made a name for himself in 2018 after his first release made him one of the most-played artists on Triple J Unearthed.
Since then, he continues to grow in popularity, working with the likes of Holy Holy and Bensen.
If you were to look up steeze, Yibby would be the first result.
Self-described as ‘old school with some new touches’, he couldn’t be more right.
The Ethiopian-born rapper has cited his musical influences as Joey Bada$$ and Earl Sweatshirt.
An icon in the Sydnney queer community, Jamaica Moana is a leader and resident commentator of the Aus ballroom community.
Known as ‘The Non-Binary Rapper’, Jamaica has been compared to new-age rappers such as Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj.
As a proud First-Nationer, Barkaa describes her music as ‘unapologetically truthful and unapologetically Blak’ as well as an expression of her story and the issues that impact First Nations people.
Proudly calling herself ’rough around the edges’, Barkaa doesn’t shy away from speaking her truth.
And there we have it, with Western Sydney’s gifted artists leading the charge, the hip-hop legacy set in motion five decades ago continues to flourish, casting its rhythmic spell across generations, genres, and hearts.
