When the opportunity to review FOMO Festival came up I had the option of travelling to Adelaide or Sydney. I had never attended a music festival in the South Australian capital and was keen to see how it compared to other cities. A week before the festival Empire Of The Sun were forced to pull out due to flight issues and Slumberhaze were also unable to attend this leg of the festival, but that didn’t stop Adelaide punters heading out for a day of electronic and hip-hop music.
Arriving in Adelaide I checked the weather reports, which said things like ’43 degrees’ and ‘Avoid outdoor activities’, good thing I was going to a music festival. Arriving at the Adelaide Gaol, I noted how small the setup for the festival was inside the space. It really felt like a boutique festival in a major city, a nice change from the usual hectic pace that comes with touring festivals. DJ Hannah Wants was spinning onstage as a small crowd of hardcore partiers vibed along with her deep house beats. Many punters planted themselves under trees or in the shade, attempting to escape from the oppressive heat.
Photo: Facebook
Desiigner announced his arrival to the stage with his trademark ‘BRRAAAAP’ which sent punters running to the stage. The Brooklyn rapper opened with his New English mixtape’s lead track Caliber. Whilst the energy was there, and fans were keen to see one of G.O.O.D Music’s newest signees in the flesh, it was disappointing to see how little he rapped live. During Freestyle 4 he really brought the heat, smashing his guest verse, but when the moment came for major key tracks Timmy Turner and Panda (which he performed three times) Desiigner spent more time ad-libbing and making noise as the backing track rapped for him. Festival goers seemed unbothered by this though and hyped along.
Local George Maple swaggered onto stage, with a complete shift in tone and energy. A real strength of FOMO Festival was the diverse nature of the acts. Maple brought her signature sound of dark r’n’b flavoured with bass heavy beats. ‘Thank you for coming out to see me when it’s so hot, I really appreciate it!’ she said as security guards hosed the mosh in front of her.
Photo: Facebook
Tech problems marred GoldLink‘s set, as his DJ’s decks wouldn’t play the song correctly. Launching into his set in spite of this, a professional through and through, he soldiered on performing tracks from his latest project And After That, We Didn’t Talk to a crowd mixed of diehards and people keen to check out new music. I caught GoldLink at Laneway 2016 in Melbourne and the crowd was a similar size, why are people sleeping on one the best talents in the game right now?
Conversations with punters at the bar hinted that many people may not be familiar with the hip-hop acts on the bill and had chosen to come along for the electronic acts instead. Closing his set with his Kaytranada/AlunaGeorge collaboration TOGETHER, he was hit again with further tech problems but made the most of it and finished the song a capella, showing off his formidable flow.
Metro Boomin’ was the next act on the bill and presented an interesting experience. Producers often don’t get the credit they deserve for the projects they make, and unless you’re a hip-hop fan you may not be familiar with Metro, one of the hottest producers in the game right now, but I guarantee you’ve heard his work. Seeing him spin live it struck me just how influential this young producer has been on the scene. Every song he dropped was hit after hit, punters who maybe were unfamiliar with his name came around quickly just hearing his vast body of work.
Blending with other hip-hop bangers, Metro Boomin’ was a highlight of the festival and easily a crowd favourite. Towards the end of his set he announced ‘I got to work with one of my idols last year, can I do a few tracks from that album?’, there were raucous cheers of excitement, knowing what was coming. In quick succession he dropped FML, Waves, Facts (Charlie Heat Version) and Father Stretch My Hands Part.1 all from Kanye West’s latest release The Life of Pablo. A perfect way to close a set.
Photo: Facebook
British grime talent JME was an interesting choice for the festival. Often described solely as ‘Skepta‘s brother’ (despite making solid music in his own right), it was really interesting to see how grime has been taking off and resurfacing around the world, very much thanks to JME’s label Boy Better Know. I was sadly a little disappointed by his performance though. Maybe it was the crowd just weren’t feeling it, or the hype from Metro Boomin’ was too hard an act to follow, but it felt like the energy dipped. Even heavy hitters Man Don’t Care and That’s Not Me (one of the best releases of 2016) seemed to fall flat. I’m saying it now though, don’t sleep on JME. Go check out his 2015 album Integrity> and let the grime goodness into your lives.
Shifting the genre back into electronic were Peking Duk, introduced by David Hasselhoff, and teasing their mega hit with Nicole Millar High from the very top of the set, the crowd was whipped into a frenzy by the Canberra electronic duo. With insane drops and grooving melodies married with killer visuals and lights, Peking Duk showed Adelaide why they are two of the darlings of the Australian music scene. Current hit Stranger went off and by the looks of this performance, plus FOMO’s cheeky promo of the single when it was #3 on the charts, the Duk may have another number one on their hands.
Photo: Facebook
Headliners Flosstradamus were easily the most hyped artists of the festival. Each person that approached me, chatted to me in the crowd and at the bar talked about how keen they were to catch them for the last time, the band announcing their separation earlier (though Curt Cameruci will continue to perform under the Flosstradamus moniker though). Blending remixes and originals, they brought the house down and were a perfect closer to the Adelaide leg of FOMO.
Hot, sweaty and tired from a day of partying hard people began heading home or kicking on to various after parties showing that Adelaide can party as hard as Melbourne or Sydney.
Image: Facebook
At the top of last year’s XXL Freshman Class was New York rapper Desiigner. His debut single Panda is one of the catchiest releases in recent memories, and he’s ridden its wave to near exhaustion. It was first heard as a sample on Kanye West‘s The Life Of Pablo, hit the top spot on the Billboard 100 and has gone on to be one of the most heavily rotated songs on all radio stations ever. Now busy working on his debut album The Life of Desiigner, follow-up single Timmy Turner arguably proved that he wasn’t a one hit wonder. All in all, 2017 looks promising for the 19-year-old.
Desiigner is currently in Australia for FOMO Festival in Brisbane, Sydney, and Adelaide and is hosting headline shows in Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth, and we headed along to his Melbourne show at 170 Russell. Not knowing much of Desiigner’s catalog except a few features and his two singles, I was unsure what to expect from his set, particularly after hearing that his sets were littered with numerous reruns of Panda.
Kicking off the night were DJs Liz Cambage and MIMI, before local MC Ivan Ooze and crew jumped on stage. I see Ooze open for a lot of big names with varying fanbases, but he never shies away from the energy. He brings amazing vibes to the stage, building a rapport with any crowd in any mood. Dropping tracks like District 9, Mt Moon, and Fire definitely got the crowd amped for the headliner. Ooze is one of Australia’s better live performers and I look forward to seeing him at his own shows this year.
Photo: Michelle Grace Hunder
After Ooze’s set, Cambage brought out a cake and everyone sang him Happy Birthday. MIMI delivered half an hour of bangers, until Desiigner graced the stage, staring intently into the crowd without blinking. Before long, his shirt came off and the energy was turned up – but it wasn’t what it could have been.
Desiigner spent his short set jumping around the stage and into the crowd yelling sound effects into the microphone, and not doing a lot of, well, rapping. It felt childish, frankly, as if he was more obsessed with being famous and loved by an entire room, than putting on a memorable performance, or much of a performance at all. High energy is one thing, but totally failing to back it with actual rhymes is just disappointing.
Photo: Michelle Grace Hunder
When he finally launched into Panda, the reason we were all there, he brought more people up on the stage than were left on the floor.
We give Desiigner a lot of credit and love for his recorded music, but in a live setting he has a lot of work to do. I’ll keep listening to the bangers, but I won’t be rushing out to see him again until he and his performance mature.
Photo: Michelle Grace Hunder
Check out the rest of the photos from Desiigner’s show here.
Image: Michelle Grace Hunder / Howl & Echoes
Panda superstar and signee to Kanye West’s coveted G.O.O.D Music, Desiigner was in town this week for his debut run of Australian performances. The rapper was in town for FOMO Festival across Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide, as well as a trio of headline shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
Desiigner enjoyed a huge 2016; not only did Panda continue to dominate the charts, bringing overwhelming commercial success to the young artist, but he released his debut mixtape New English and was featured as an XXL Freshman, among other highlights.
Opening for Desiigner was Elizabeth Cambage, MIMI, and local Melbourne rapper Ivan Ooze, who also enjoyed a massive year, including releasing a spitfire track featuring none other than Ghostface Killah.
We caught Desiigner and co live in Melbourne at the Corner Hotel on Wednesday, January 10 2016.
Elizabeth Cambage
MIMI
Ivan Ooze
Desiigner
Images: Michelle Grace Hunder for Howl & Echoes
Although only in its second year running, FOMO Festival has not only spread from one city to three, but its lineup has quickly catapulted it to the top of the party pile for 2017. The festival itself takes place in Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide, and now a handful of sideshows have been announced for Desiigner, Metro Boomin and JME.
DESIIGNER
Panda superstar Desiigner has announced shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The Sydney show is for under 18s only, and will see a slew of diverse homegrown talent, with Desiigner recruiting Slumberjack, Ivan Ooze, Benson and Liz Cambage for the festivities.
Monday 9th Jan: Enmore Theatre, Sydney (Under 18s)
Tickets (on sale now)
Tuesday 10th January: 170 Russell, MELBOURNE (w/ Ivan Ooze, Mimi & Liz Cambage)
Tickets (On sale Dec 21)
Wed 11th January – Metro City, PERTH
Tickets (On sale Dec 21)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5ONTXHS2mM
JME
FOMO may not be coming to Melbourne, but grime sure is. Catch JME on January 3 at his only FOMO and Beyond the Valley sideshow:
Monday 3rd January – Corner Hotel, MELBOURNE
Tickets (On sale now)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rivFCwwvoh8
METRO BOOMIN
Metro Boomin has had a better year than most. At just 23 he produced for some of the year’s biggest albums and artists, including three tracks on The Life of Pablo and several more for Future, Tinashe, and of course, his own collaboration with 21 Savage, Savage Mode, which spawned gold and platinum singles. Catch him in Melbourne and Perth:
Friday 13th January: 170 Russell, MELBOURNE
Tickets (On sale now)
Sat 14 January: Villa, PERTH
Tickets (On sale Dec 21)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wtwpUwxQik
FOMO 2017 LINE-UP
Flosstradamus*
Empire Of The Sun
Peking Duk*
JME*
GoldLink*
Metro Boomin*
Hannah Wants*
Slumberjack
George Maple*
Feki
Maribelle
Lastlings
STRICT FACE†
TXNK†
DANCESPACE†
Special Guest Desiigner*
* Appearing in Adelaide
† Only appearing in Adelaide
Friday 6 January | Adelaide Gaol, Adelaide
Saturday 7 January | Riverstage, Brisbane
Sunday 8 January |The Crescent, Parramatta Park, Sydney
Since hip-hop’s conception several decades ago, there’s no doubting the culture and musical genre itself have gone through a lot of changes. All throughout the 80s, 90s, 00s, and now the 10s, the sound, the image and the message behind it have constantly evolved. Despite this continuing evolution, many, be they fans or artists, still hang onto the music of their time and treat new sounds and trends quite often with disdain.
Take legendary 90s producer Pete Rock ,who came out last week saying that this breed of emcees “don’t match the world that we live in, making this kinda nonsense or not reppin’ the culture right.” Going on to say that the rappers are “breeding these stupid ass fans with no fucking brains. So we gonna have a world full of that?? Really???”
Targeting the group who are branded as so called ‘mumble rappers’, a term which blew up seemingly overnight, Pete represents one of many who criticise this latest craze. Yet, whether you like it or not, G.O.O.D. Music signee Desiigner and the more cheerful Lil Yachty among others are taking over global airways with their infectious mix of auto-tuned vocals and booming trap beats.
The aforementioned Lil Yachty is at the forefront of this mumble-rapping craze, the 19-year-old bearing a large amount of criticism. His reaction to this beef is simple though, “hip-hop isn’t the same anymore” he explained in an interview with The Breakfast Club, people “just don’t like me because I’m not lyrical enough. If you ever read comments and click on their profile, they’re like super old.”
What stands out in Yachty’s response is his attitude towards those who paved the path for hip-hop. It’s not the first time he’s come under fire for perceived disrespect to his forebears, infamously admitting that he “honestly couldn’t name five songs’ by Tupac & Biggie.” Lil Uzi Vert, another artist on his way up, was slightly blunter, flat out stating “If you put on one of them old beats, I’m not rapping on it.” Do comments like this justify Pete Rock’s and others’ outrage when it comes to these mumblers and their attitude towards the culture?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=251cxou3yR4
At the end of the day, maybe it’s not the sound that’s the problem, but the apparent disrespect that these artists seem to have for the culture. Whilst everyone has their musical heroes, these artists are solely looking at the 2000s, the Kanye Wests, Lil Waynes and Soulja Boys of the time, which is fine, but it’s when they rashly insult the culture’s history that there’s a problem.
Anderson .Paak spoke up about the craze, sending for Yachty in a Twitter message, “Don’t be cocky in the fact that you don’t know anything about hip-hop history.” But it’s Lil Yachty’s reply that makes you understand his perspective, “I think it’s funny how people feel like you HAVE to like something just cause everybody else does,” Yachty explained, “Where in the handbook of hip-hop does it say u must know this list of songs to make music.”
Khal, editor for Pigeons and Planes, puts it perfectly in his article, “The genre has grown to a point where someone’s point of reference doesn’t have to be the four pillars of hip-hop, or Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash.”
It’s not just the so-called-mumblers who speak out against the Golden Era which lingers over them. Critically acclaimed Long Beach rapper Vince Staples is constantly branded as the saviour of hip-hop, yet even he feels the 90s were overrated. This controversial statement sparked a fair amount of outcry from his older supporters, but his rebuttal once again shines light on the differences each generation faces. “Urban and aggressive, is that what we mean by real? Someone saying they want to go to a party is real, they probably just want to have a good time. Your music is about your outlook on life.” He continues, “You’ll find someone who hates Jay-Z but loves Lil Boosie…then find someone with the same IQ who feels the opposite because it’s more relative to their lifestyle.”
Something which is often failed to be mentioned is that the audience of hip-hop has diversified so hugely in the last ten years alone. From it’s early days where it represented solely urban youth, it has now expanded into every nook and cranny of 21st century life, something which explains the rapid expansion of that easily accessible party sound.
So sure, it’s not the most lyrical, and with lines like “Aye aye, and my bitch ass fat, I told that bitch never to stop eating bacon” it’s pretty hard to take them seriously. But at the end of the day, these rappers-who-don’t-want-to-be-rappers are just creating the music that they like, which applies to their lives, and funnily enough there are people who like that too.
Whether you are for or against the mumblers, and whether you think this is a fad or not, there’s no doubt that this is going to live out it’s time in hip-hop, and will continue to inspire the next generation to come. Just remember, there’s plenty of room for both of these styles to run side by side, just because one is becoming more prevalent with the teens, it doesn’t mean that the audience for the lyrically minded isn’t there. Let’s not forget that the biggest artist in hip-hop right now is Kendrick Lamar, a man whose lyrics are among the best of all time.
Times are simply changing and hip-hop is evolving with them in some ways, as it has always done. Just because you don’t like it, it doesn’t mean the culture is dead, you just have to dig deeper.
Image: Highsnobiety
Do you like comics, specifically Marvel ones? Same. Do you like hip-hop? Of course you do, that’s why you’re here. Now we’re all on the same page, you might be aware that Marvel does a very good, wonderful, amazing thing called hip-hop comic cover variants, wherein comic covers are illustrated in the style of classic, buzzed-about, or seminal hip-hop cover art. The first wave of this thing-we-never-asked-for-but-have-since-realised-we-need-more-than-air was nothing short of incredible; it featured tributes to Run The Jewels, A Tribe Called Quest and many more, with over 50 covers in total.
Round two is a lot smaller than that, but it’s every bit as killer. There are three variants: Doctor Strange #1 riffs on Desiigner‘s smash hit Panda, Mosaic #1 references Earl by Earl Sweatshirt, and Black Panther #7 is a tribute to King Mez‘s Long Live The King. The comics will be released on September 28 (Strange) and October 12th (Panther and Mosaic).
Doctor Strange x Panda. Image: Marvel via Fuse
Marvel’s editor-in-chief Axel Alonso is passionate about the link between hip-hop and comics. In a statement to Fuse, he explained that the variants were “about two art forms shouting out to each other”, describing hip-hop as the “backbeat” for many artists & readers of comics. It’s clear he’s serious about fostering this connection: Run The Jewels soundtracked for the Black Panther video series, and Killer Mike even penned the forward for the previously-released variant book.
Black Panther x Long Live The King. Image: Marvel via Fuse
For his part at least, King Mez seems pretty feckin’ stoked: “Growing up a huge comic book fan, it was a dream to come true to even be a part of this. Black Panther at that? Mannn, it was automatic when Marvel reached out. Really cool way to have LLTK immortalised like that. Hope we get to do a variant collab on my new project too.”
Keep your eyes peeled in the coming months, too – more variants are set to be released. Dunno about you, but I for one will be spending some time trying to figure out how to get one of these babies blown up to poster-size.
Image: Marvel via Fuse
The 2016 XXL Freshman freestyles are officially done and dusted for the year – now it’s time for the cyphers, and first up is a hat-trick of hip hop’s finest: Desiigner, Anderson .Paak & Lil Dicky.
For anyone scratching their head right now, each year XXL matches up artists from their Freshman class along with a DJ, and together they film a freestyle cypher. The result is always entertaining, whether or not some perform better than others. To kick things off this year, this trio of buzz-worthy emcees are paired up with DJ Drama.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWL_hD26tUA]
Each raps in turn over a beat by Natexcharity, with Desiigner up first. He looks a tad nervous which is no surprise given his recent much-maligned XXL Freshman Freestyle, and he kiiiinda cooks it in a few places, but it has to be said that his voice is damn pleasant to listen to.
Anderson .Paak takes the opposite approach to Desiigner, opting for a clear narrative even if he’s going much slower. It’s funny, fresh, and super impressive, especially considering .Paak is really a singer, rather than a rapper. Best bit? Lemonade lemonade baby unfaithful/What more can I say?/I’m fucking the fleshlight to cope with the pain.
Lil Dicky doesn’t go for long (HA), but his flow is really consistent. Idk though, maybe this is just me but his middle aged dad Hawaiian button-up t-shirt and geeky maths-nerd curly hair made this part a bit uncomfortable.
Seems like they might agree. Credit – XXL
To each their own, though – who do you reckon came out on top for this?
Image: XXL
In just over half a year, Brooklyn emcee Sidney Royel Selby III aka Desiigner, has gone from a nobody to a worldwide success. Riding the hype-wave of the chart-obliterating Panda, he’s managed to join Pusha T, Big Sean, Hudson Mohawke and more on Kanye West’s label G.O.O.D. Music, and was even sampled in Pt.2 on The Life Of Pablo. He’s also been announced as one of XXL’s 2016 Freshman Class.
Now, Desiigner has finally showed the world that he has more than one song to offer. He’s come out swinging with his debut mixtape New English, aiming to squash the ‘one hit wonder’, although it doesn’t do much to squash the ‘he sounds like Future’ shade. A relatively dense mixtape, complete with interludes, auto-tuned bangers and heavy beats, the 14 track project does its very best to crush the haters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5ONTXHS2mM
New English opens with a string-filled Intro, before fast-paced trap tune Caliber, showing that Desiigner isn’t holding anything back. Spitting about how he’ll shoot to kill, this is certainly one aggressive opening. Make It Out is a little more stripped back, remarkably sans auto-tune off, showing off his rough, croaky tone. Shooters and Monstas & Villains feature two of the biggest, baddest beats on the tape. Unfortunately these are cut incredibly short, with Monstas & Villains limited to a meagre 37 seconds. Graaa?
Following another calm and soothing interlude, auto-tuned out Desiigner is back with Talk Regardless, an anti-hater anthem. No matter what happens, “mothafuckas gon’ talk regardless.”
Jet provides the long-rumoured first link-up between Desiigner and his label’s president Pusha T. Utilising classic rap bravado, the pair talk about how they have so much money they could literally buy a jet.The theme continues with Overnight, addressing Desiigner’s overnight success. Coming at a price, he explains how people from his hood might not have the same opportunities and won’t make it out.
Simply put, Zombie Walk is a trap anthem (but how many more trap anthems do we need?). The last feature on the album, it has King Savage going back-to-back with Desiigner as they glorify smoking weed, killing and trapping – you know, all the basic necessities for living a good life. As per the hook, the track gets its name from the kind of zonked out look you get when you’re trying to walk while on drugs. At this point we think you should read our feature article about the problems of glorifying heavy drug use in hip-hop.
The final track is Panda. As you know, it goes, “Panda Panda Panda Panda Panda.”
There’s a lot of heat crammed into just thirty-six minutes, but there’s not much else. Is he changing the world? No. Is he releasing solid trap bangers with huge beats and endearingly undecipherable lyrics? You bet. He might not be a superstar in the making, but he’s more than a one hit wonder, at least. And for now, that’s all he needed to do.
New English is currently a Tidal exclusive, you can listen to it here.
Image: WWD
Brooklyn’s Desiigner has had an enormous 2016 already. With platinum-certified single Panda having stormed its way to a number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 off the back of Desiigner being announced as G.O.O.D. Music’s latest signee and appearing on Kanye West’s latest album The Life of Pablo, the Brooklyn trap star also recently made an appearance in the prestigious XXL Freshman List for 2016 — for which the young star performed a sing-song freestyle.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AP5zQrJRIg]
Eager to keep the ball rolling, Desiigner is also preparing the release of a debut studio album, The Life of Desiigner as well as a debut mixtape New English, which Desiigner has overnight premiereed at a TIDAL—sponsored event in New York City. Snippets of the tape have slowly begun to trickle out on to the web following the listening party, with listeners having reported hearing one song in particular featuring G.O.O.D. Music President Pusha T and a potential guest verse by trap mainstay Young Thug.
.@LifeOfDesiigner previewing new music off of #NewEnglish in NYC pic.twitter.com/5skvsHNvam
— STASHED® (@theSTASHED) June 23, 2016
Can always count on @LifeOfDesiigner to bring the energy #NewEnglish pic.twitter.com/1yqvIW4yJs
— STASHED® (@theSTASHED) June 23, 2016
“I dunno what I’m gonna do today” – Desiigner #NewEnglish pic.twitter.com/VxAreCkxTb — STASHED® (@theSTASHED) June 23, 2016
Pusha T makes a guest appearance on Desiigner’s #NewEnglish pic.twitter.com/tp75xP2tTa — STASHED® (@theSTASHED) June 23, 2016
With Panda not going anywhere soon, and Desiigner likely not either with his upcoming releases (as well as appearances on the G.O.O.D. Music compilation album Cruel Winter, also due later this year), hip-hop fans are highly anticipating what might come next from the nineteen-year-old. A worldwide release date for New English has not yet been announced, but it would seem fans can expect to hear the new project from Desiigner sooner rather than later.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5ONTXHS2mM]
With the snippet previews of New English to go by, hopes will be high that Desiigner will bring all the same energy and turned up hit-potential sound that has seen Panda achieve its enormous and largely unprecedented level of success. If nothing else, Desiigner will always have Panda, and so will we.
Image via Billboard