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Live Review: Triple One's top ten Aussie emerging hip-hop acts

10 August 2018 | 12:32 pm | Caitlin Medcalf

TRIPLE ONE are arguably one of the most exciting emerging hip-hop acts coming out of Australia right now. There's no doubt that there's a global hip-hop renaissance occurring right now, but what's most exciting is the sounds that are being created right here on our shores.

The foursome have created a rich tapestry of sounds and ideologies that continue to be both empowering and powerful. The group is comprised of rappers Marty Large and Obi Ill Terrors, producer Billy Gunns and vocalist Lil Dijon. 'Friends with benefits' they've dubbed themselves.

The group has had a massive year, playing sold out shows in both Sydney and Melbourne on their 'EastConnex' tour, being named triple j Unearthed's Feature Artist of the Week back in June and to add to this huge list of accolades - they've joined the Bigsound lineup too.

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This year's lineup is insane, boasting over 139 acts spread over two announcements. Triple One are part of this next cohort of outstanding up and comers, so we thought it would be cool to see who this next generation of hip-hop artists are frothing right now. Sus their top ten emerging hip-hop acts from within Australia below.

WOMBAT

Wombat may be tucked away down in Tasmania, but he's since established himself as a national treasure but pretty much destroying every track he spits on. How does he rap this fast and this articulate? One of life's great mysteries. He laid a verse in our studio once and bodied every single one of us. It was silent afterwards because he had us questioning our career paths.

RAJ MAHAL

Raj Mahal raps in an American accent... but that's because he's actually from America. Raj is the Boston beast, he's frequently shirtless and barks over pulsating electronic beats. Very abrasive yet nice on the ears, someone please make him the official host of Defqon.1. Stay tuned for our collaboration with him.

CHILLINIT

ChillinIt is very good at campaigning for the legalisation of marijuana, but he is better at killing rappers in the booth. He can go in over grime, trap or serenade you over an acoustic guitar, which are pretty much the only three skills you need in life. We have a track with him and Mitchos Da Menace coming very soon.

LIL SKNOW

Lil Sknow's outfits cost more than our studio. He has a Louis Vuitton puffer jacket that we are scared to touch. Anyway, Sknow opened for our last show in Melbourne and threw money on the floor, we managed to pick up a $20 note which helped us break even.

TASMAN KEITH

Our boy Tasman Keith has been picking up a lot of buzz lately. His music sounds both contemporary and traditional, honouring the Indigenous spirit in his own unique way. He's actually playing a show this Saturday night in Sydney (come along and have a lemonade) with a bunch of our mates, including Slim Set. Speaking of...

SLIM SET

A lot of grime artists and Western Sydney artists take themselves too seriously. That's why Slim Set stand out from the rest; their beats bounce into your earholes from another galaxy, their verses are filled with weird chants and noises, and they always look like they're having fun. It doesn't make sense, but it works. A real head-scratcher, these lads.

IMBI THE GIRL

Part hip-hop, part R&B, part spoken word, imbi the Girl's music doesn't really fall into any genre which is something that we also aspire to. We were lucky enough to play One Day Carpark Carnival with them and we have been fans ever since.

MITCHOS DA MENACE

A few years back Mitchos came out with a track called 'Still West' which is still a fucking burner. We're from the Inner-West, which isn't the West at all, but thankfully we still got to chill with Mitchos at shows in Sydney and Brisbane. Very lovely fellow.

NERVE

Nerve is Brisbane's best export since Tonie Carroll. The guy makes his own beats, spits over grime, raps over hip-hop, mixes and masters tracks, and has great hair. His album Sober is a thumper, get stuck into it. A one-man machine if we ever saw one.

HUSKII

Wollongong's finest. Only this guy could have a classic opening line about stealing designer garments from David Jones. Just look at the numbers Huskii is putting up on YouTube, nobody can write sad anthems like this.

Catch Triple One playing at the triple j Unearthed showcase at Bigsound on Wednesday, September 5.

BIGSOUND

4-7 SEPTEMBER, 2018

FORTITUDE VALLEY, BRISBANE

Words by Caitlin Medcalf

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