With the recent release of a string of infectiously catchy singles including ‘With The People’, ‘Wax On Wax Off’, followed shortly by the impressive full length effort With The People local rapper Citizen Kay is showing no signs of slowing down during the tail end of 2015.
With The People follows on from Citizen Kay’s Demokracy mini-album, which yielded several acclaimed singles and was picked up by a number of US college stations, breaking into the Top 10 of the CMJ hip-hop charts.
Currently on tour in support of the release, we fought up with the ridiculously talented MC to chat about the evolution of hip hop in Australia and how retro funk inspired his new record.
The New Record
“The way I’ve always written is to have the music first, work out a theme/concept, write the lyrics to that and then if needed, work the music back around the lyrics. I worked along side Ben Garden, who produced WTP and being able to have him and that second ear throughout the whole process was basically a first for me.
I was definitely listening to a lot of old school 70s and 80s funk/disco jams during the process
Recording for this album was surprisingly easy – just before we began the album, I begun committing my lyrics to memory before recording so that I’d really be able to perform, rather than be reading off a page. Doing that made coming into the recording stage that much easier and I was really able to convey the feels i wanted and focus solely on that!”
The Current Evolution Of Aussie Hip Hop
Australian hip hop has gone though quite evolution recently, as a local hip hop artist is that something you’ve noticed? “Absolutely! I personally knew very little about Aus hip hop before I began this project but the little that I knew at the time was very different to what it’s become/becoming now.”
Major Changes In The Scene
“In the short time I’ve had the pleasure of being apart of the scene, I’ve really noticed a sense of freedom with fellow hip hop artists – not being afraid to experiment and step out of your box a little and to experiment outside of traditional hip hop but still have it under that umbrella. Being able to evolve like that is incredible in my eyes.”
The future of Aussie hip hop? “Nooo idea! And thats the beauty of it. Any music, not just hip hop shouldn’t be particularly predictable ”
Favourite Act Right Now
“Recently came across a girl by the name of ‘Sampa The Great’ – she absolutely kills it!”
Plans For The Next 12 Months
“More shows for sure! I’ll also be working on my other project I have with my younger brother (The Ansah Brothers).”
Upcoming Show
Friday, 6th November 2015
Cats, Adelaide
Tickets On The Door
Wednesday, 11th November 2015
Sosueme@ Beach Road Hotel, Bondi
FREE ENTRY
Friday, 13th November 2015
Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
Tickets: Oztix
Saturday, 14th November 2015
Sol Bar, Maroochydore
Tickets: Oztix
Thursday, 26th November 2015
Goodgod Small Club, Sydney
Tickets: Moshtix
Saturday, 5th December 2015
Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth
Tickets On The Door
