Sydney Hip Hop Events March 2014

EVERY WEEK...

WEDNESDAYS

Hip Hop Cinema/ Hip Hop Arcade

It's time to settle into a new routine, and a new cure for the mid-week blues.  Hump day's the new happy day! Come pull up a comfy couch, and welcome this fun, relaxed hip hop night to it's new location! If you're sitting at home watching movies and playing video games anyway you might as well do it with friends! With hip hop inspired movies and classic arcade games on the big screen plus DJs spinning your favourite tunes, you really couldn't ask for much more. 

Hermann's Bar, University of Sydney

4pm-late

FREE

THURSDAYS 

DJ Prolifik

Manning the decks every Thursday for your pre-weekend pleasure is one of Sydney's own heavyweight producers.  And I'm not talking about weight class here, I'm talking about experience.  Only in his mid-twenties, he is already producing and DJing for 3 different Sydney groups (High Noon, Bustacap, Broken Thought Theory) and he's only at the very beginning of what you can tell will be a long career in the industry.  From his performance at the Australasian Beatmaker's Invitational we know he can command a crowd just from the drop of his skilled hand on the decks. Look out because I predict you will be seeing more and more of this man in the near future. 

BRKLYN Bar, Manly (basement Steign Hotel)
9pm-late
Free

FRIDAYS

Jazz Hip Hop Sessions

These nights are a chance for some real spontaneous music making.  The vibe of the audience can really influence the artistic flow in the room.  Although members of the crowd are allowed to come on stage and share at different points of the night, this is more than just an open mic.  This is different to any hip hop night you have been to before, guaranteed.  First up, be prepared to take a quiet seat, at least to start with, as the room is fitted with tables throughout.  Don't worry you'll have a chance to bust a move as well, just be prepared to be one of the few.  The stage is set with an entire jazz band just jamming away, this is really free music making.  Next a variety of singers and emcees will sprinkle themselves into the set, adding to the music as they see fit.  This is really anything goes, make-it-up-as-you-go-along music.  And the places that they will bring you to, though not planned, will really blow you away.  Element of surprise.

This week's special guests: Beaten Bodies
Foundry 616, Ultimo
11pm- 1am
$5 (on the door)

SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS

SYD Def Jam

This Sydney institution is celebrating 30 years this year.  That's 30 years of playing you classic hip hop both local and international.  30 years of bringing that real old school hip hop vibe to create a sort of block party bringing all the elements of hip hop together.  But mainly the DJ, just don't forget it's all about the DJ as DJ A$K and DJ R.U.S. would say.  This summer the party is coming to you weekly.  Also they are selling T-shirts and hats to raise money for Street Uni Mount Druitt.  Check out their online store here. 

North Bondi Beach
3pm-sunset
Free


GREAT NIGHTS OUT...

WEDNESDAY 5th

Public Enemy

This iconic hip hop group has spent over 30 years perfecting their skills and honing their craft. Their fine tuned, energetic show is sure to be a crowd pleaser. The energy and intensity that Flavor Flav and Chuck D put into their show would blow you away if they were in their twenties, but it's downright shocking to see men of their age command the stage in this way.

Metro Theatre
Tickets $82.90
Doors 8pm

FRIDAY 7th

Broken Thought Theory

This crew has been laying in wait. Flowing and creating and calculating behind the scenes, awaiting the perfect moment to begin dropping you with the goodness, and that moment is finally here! Returning from a successful tour in North America they have been in the studio non-stop and have returned with a beautifully polished gem in the form of their new single "Creature of Habit." They're bringing some friends along for moral support/ to also bring you fresh beats and rhymes: Deadbeat and Hazy, Daniel Peace, and Pro/gram

FBi Social, Kings Cross
8pm-12am
Tickets $10

Kosmic Culture
This is a brand new group which formed about 6 months ago. Consists of three emcees Culture, Mumbles, and Abrupt. Although they are very young, both as a group and in age, their sound is very developed and from what I've heard so far I quite like it. Check them out here. They have done very few shows so this is a great chance to get a preview of what this group is capable of. Stay tuned.
Beach Road Hotel, Bondi
8pm
FREE

SATURDAY 8th

The Chop

This is a very interesting new style of hip hop night which focuses not on emcees and DJs but beatmakers. This is a chance for beatmakers to really show off their skills by bringing their choicest beats along and cutting them up for a live audience. This month featuring live beat sessions by DJ Prolifik and Jae Moon. Plus Raine Supreme holding it down on the ones and twos.

Play Bar, Surry Hills
8pm- 12am
FREE

Robert Glasper Experiment

This isn't just your average hip hop show; this is a completely different and unique experiment. Its brilliance lies in its simplicity, what better musical genres are there to blend than jazz and hip hop? It’s interesting to know that the vocals on the album include a roll call of the biggest R&B and hip hop stars including Jill Scott, Faith Evans, Snoop Dogg and Jean Grae along with much more. The live show, with a beautiful full jazz band will be an experience to witness to say the least. Joining the tour are jazz legends Roy Ayers and Lonnie Liston Smith.

The Hi Fi, Moore Park
Doors 730pm
Tickets $83-$130 (include meet and greet)

Sunday 9th

45 Sessions
This isn't just a one off Sydney event, this is is a global event originating in Oakland, California with DJ Platurn which is hosted locally by Funkdafied. They are pleased to announce that this special show will be headlined by one of Japan's most well known and respected hip hop artists and notorious crate digger, DJ Muro. His whole style is sure to impress and his 90 minute set is sure to include a lot of rare samples. He will be backed up by artists Frenzie, Gian Arpino, JC, Graham Mandroules, DJ Makoto, and Koolade all playing 45's.
Secret Location
2pm-10pm
Tickets $28




FRIDAY 14th

Vent
This is a real laid back fun loving monthly hip hop night which includes an open mic and cypher at the end, once your creative juices have been kick started by watching some live local talent. With a mix of local and potentially interstate acts hand selected by the talented Izzy himself of Izzy and the Profit fame, the night is certainly set to be a fun one no matter what happens.
This month's acts: Bayside Wreckers ("Wreckfest" Mashtape launch), Saul Good ("Flat White" album launch), Edy Brock, Ben Iota, & Mitus
Valve Bar, CBD
8pm-late
$10 (on the door)

SATURDAY 15th

DJ Busta & DJ Raine Supreme

Local Sydney DJs getting down at an amazing venue. If you haven't check this place out yet, come and have a peek. The atmosphere itself will get you comfortable; the sounds will have you getting your groove on. Small enough to be intimate, big enough to give you space to move, beautiful artwork on all the walls.

Play Bar, Surry Hills
8pm-12am
FREE

SUNDAY 16th

March in March

You might say this isn't a strictly hip hop event, but it is VERY hip hop. This is a chance for Australia to unite in protest of the Abbott government, and not just that but oppressive governments and tyranny the world over. This is a chance for everyone out there to walk to the walk rather than just talk the talk. It's easy to complain about how things are on facebook or even to make a song about it. It's quite another to take to the streets and actually DEMAND the change that you so desire. We're too comfortable here in our beautiful easy life, let's join the revolution which has been happening all over the world and show them that we won't be beaten. We won't be quiet any longer.

Belmore Park, Central
from 1pm
join the facebook group

TUESDAY 18th

Jurassic 5 Reunion Tour
The originally scheduled March 19th show sold out in just over a week! Australia is hungry for this group to make another appearance on our shores after a six year break. Don't miss tickets to their second and final Sydney show.

Enmore Theatre

Doors 9pm

Tickets $89.60

FRIDAY 21st

DMC Eras
Do you view the 90's as the "golden era" of hip hop? Here's a new series of shows celebrating the different eras of hip hop by showcasing the DMC representatives who really set the tone of the hip hop scene in Australia during different eras of time. Starting with the best one, the 90's!
DJ A.$.K. and DJ Dizar will be holding it down all night to bring you back to that classic time.
Play Bar, Surry Hills
6pm-midnight
Free

SATURDAY 22nd

Knowledge

This is a new hip hop club night at a brand new venue featuring L-FRESH THE LION and also Crossing Red Lines, The Fresh Testament, 2Face, Madame Wu & Elise Graham, and Decipher Us.  There are some great acts here, bringing the wisdom and knowledge that is sometimes lacking in hip hop. Come down and support real thought provoking hip hop. L-FRESH has been one of my favourite local acts since the first listen. But his live show is really something to behold. He can captivate a crowd and bring them together to create a peaceful buzz and genuine unity that is so rare. His show and people like him are the reason that I will week after week go out to experience live music. And not only does he unite you on his message, but you can easily see that his message is a universal one. It is the truth that we are so desperate to seek. Support him, support the scene, support HIP HOP and watch us grow.

The Roller Den, Eskinville (basement of the Imperial Hotel)

730pm- late

Tickets $15

Bondi Beach Live Street Art
Part of Art Month Sydney
Bondi Beach Skatepark
12pm-5pm
FREE

SUNDAY 23rd

Speech Therapy
Ever wanted to get up close and personal with some of your favourite emcees? Speech Therapy is a monthly night focused on poetry, spoken word, and story telling. It allows the artists to get out of their comfort zone and get more intimate with their audience. Meanwhile it allows the audience to learn more about the emcee on a personal level as well as see their rapping style broken down.
This month features: Dialectrix, Sky'High, and Jimmy Nice
Work-Shop, Redfern
6- 9pm
Tickets $20

Up Close and PersonalThis is a new night to introduce emerging local DJs and producers in an intimate party environment. And it's a really small club, so when I say intimate, that's literal. This month's installment includes sets by Set Mo, Klue, and Spoonty.

Ching-a-Lings

4-10pm
Tickets $10 (best to purchase ahead, very limited capacity)

Thursday 27th

Sketch the Rhyme

If you haven't yet had the pleasure of witnessing one of Sketch the Rhyme's shows yet, you really need to get onto that! Sketch the Rhyme is a hip hop game show which uses the elements of live art, freestyle rapping, and live music to create a unique one of a kind experience. These guys are emcees as well as comedians, they will have you laughing along all night. This is the third and final installment of the COMBAT series featuring head to head battles 4 on 4 (two emcees and two artists). This one welcomes Scottish emcee Silvertongue to our shores. He has hosted Sketch the Rhyme events in his home country with the help of Rapaport in the past. Now you can cheer him on in this Scotland V Australia event. Scotland team includes Silvertounge and Jeswon while the P. Smurf and Ozi Batla hold it down for Australia.
The Basement, Circular Quay
Doors 8pm
Tickets $21.50

Hip Hop House Party
Monthly hip hop night back for the third installment. This is a night to celebrate all things hip hop. Last time there was an emcee comp which was a lot of fun. This time features a performance by the young internet sensation Miracle and an album launch from Egasm, "Big Dreams Small City."
Also perfomances by Sleazy Greazy, Electric Elements Crew, 316, and Mighty Ash.
Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst
8pm-late
Tickets $15


Friday 28th

Reverse Polarities
Whether you're a regular, or this is your first time, this Friday is a perfect opportunity to catch a live performance by this legendary Sydney crew.  RP is fresh off the east coast tour of their new album, "On the Contrary." If you happened to miss their epic performance of the whole album at Oxford Arts Factory last month, or if you just want more, make sure you make it out to Bondi for this free show.  If you want politically charged rapid fire lyrics, if you want socially conscious music which inspires change..... but you also want to dance, then this is the group for you.
Beach Road Hotel, Bondi
8pm-late
Free


Bustacap
Though I classify this as hip hop, this brother sister duo experiments with many genres.  DJ Prolifik, who works on a few different hip hop projects, seems to let loose on this one and bring out his heaviest hardest hitting beats.  This is electronic/rave/hip hop music.  His sister Thraxxy is a very strong powerful woman with a powerful voice.  She raps and sings making this project very unique.  "Just because we're blood doesn't mean you're getting another Angus and Julia Stone brother sister duo."  The other acts on the bill are manly electronic music. Bustcap hits the stage at 10pm.
Town Hall Hotel (The Townie), Newtown
8pm-late
Free


Saturday 29th

What happened last night??
This is a group art exhibition based on the theme, "what happened last night?" We've all been there, you were having so much fun at the bar, but it all got a bit blurry after the 3rd or 4th rounds of Long Island Iced Teas. You can feel the head splitting headache before you even open your eyes, and then comes the several minutes of panic when you do open them and don't recognize any of your surrounds, and then that ever increasing feeling of dread. What happened? What did I do? Did I embarrass myself? Did I do something bad? Illegal? Well don't worry you're not the only one, 25 Sydney artists will be bringing you their interpretation of that morning after feeling. So come and have a beer and a laugh and enjoy. This is a really cool little brewery as well so I highly recommend checking it out! After party will be announced on the day as well.
Just a few of the artists showing: Hules, Days One, Dboe, Multa, Jesse Brockis...
Young Henry's Brewery, Enmore
2pm-7pm*(Opening Night)
*Will be open for viewing every day except Sundays from 11am-7pm until the 12th of April.
Free



Rapaport & Silvertongue

You know him as head honcho at Big Village Records and one third of the rap crew Loose Change; not only that but Rapaport has had a hand in hundreds of projects all over Sydney for years. His witty rap style is undenyably one of the best in the country and his freestyle ability is unapparalleled. He hasn't played a solo show in quite a while so this will be a treat. He is teaming up with one of Scotland's underground sensations, Silvertounge, who he discovered while hosting a Sketch the Rhyme show in Edinburgh. Silvertounge is also a master of the freestyle so I'm sure there will be a lot of improptu rapping on the night.
Brighton Up Bar
Doors 8pm
Tickets $15


SUNDAY 30th

One Day Sundays

This is quickly becoming one of the most well known and well put together hip hop nights Sydney-wide. With humble beginnings as just some car park space that no one used, it has becoming a day which winds together all the elements of hip hop and more into a beautiful display of unity.  As it's an all day affair and runs well into the night you'll find that the party changes drastically.  So it can start out as a family friendly barbecue with live art and basketball and turn into a sweaty dance party under the stars.  It's a really open party so bring all your friends, or just make new ones:  you make it what you want.  

This month's guest DJs: Jaytee and The Tongue
Resident DJs: Joyride, Adit, and Ralph

Vic on the Park, Marrickville
12pm-late
FREE

Check it out Reverse Polarities have just dropped a new clip for their track "Dynamite Selection" off their new album.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckFpPWSnkLo

Stay tuned peeps... check back often!!
Love you xx