AUSSIE hip-hop pioneers Bliss n Eso could sense the scene was about to explode when they started making music more than 15 years ago. American-born Sydney-raised MC Bliss (Jonathon Notley) said it wasn't until local artists embraced the uniqueness of what they had to offer listeners that the fledging genre took off. "We knew once Australia got over its bullshit of dealing with the accent and realising it's cool to be where you're from, local hip-hop was going to blow up," Bliss says. "I don't know whether I would have envisaged the scene to blow up as big as it is now, but we always knew it had a massive potential." Bliss says rapping gave artists a completely different way of cutting through to audiences. "Whether it is a fun, happy or more introspective song, rappers want to connect, we want to resonate with people," he says. "Connection is really key and communicating through rap holds a hell of a lot of power." Bliss said there was an honesty to Australian hip-hop that set it apart from tracks produced overseas. He says it is refreshing that local artists have broken away from the "women, money, drugs" mantra ingrained in most commercial American hip-hop. "You don't have to talk about all this ridiculous bullshit and create fantasies in people's minds to connect the listener with the music," he says. "The MC in America is on a pedestal talking down at you, whereas in Australian hip-hop the listener and MC talk on a much more even playing field." After a 15-date tour in which Bliss n Eso trekked across the country for the past eight weeks, the hip-hop giants are heading to Tasmania. They are set to line up alongside Horrorshow and Seth Sentry in Hobart next week, performing the last instalment of their Circus under the Stars tour. Bliss says the hip-hop veterans have a few surprises up their sleeves for the all-ages outdoor show. "I don't want to spill the beans but they're going to be historical," he says. "For Bliss n Eso fans, it is like nothing you've ever seen before. "Get ready for Australian music firsts."
Bliss n Eso will perform in Hobart on May 31. WHO: Bliss n Eso with Horrorshow and Seth Sentry. WHAT: Circus under the Stars Tour. WHEN: Saturday, May 31. WHERE: Macquarie Wharf 2, Hobart. TICKETS: www.moshtix.com.au or call 1800GETTIX.
AUSSIE hip-hop pioneers Bliss n Eso could sense the scene was about to explode when they started making music more than 15 years ago.
American-born Sydney-raised MC Bliss (Jonathon Notley) said it wasn't until local artists embraced the uniqueness of what they had to offer listeners that the fledging genre took off.
"We knew once Australia got over its bullshit of dealing with the accent and realising it's cool to be where you're from, local hip-hop was going to blow up," Bliss says.
"I don't know whether I would have envisaged the scene to blow up as big as it is now, but we always knew it had a massive potential."
Bliss says rapping gave artists a completely different way of cutting through to audiences.
"Whether it is a fun, happy or more introspective song, rappers want to connect, we want to resonate with people," he says.
"Connection is really key and communicating through rap holds a hell of a lot of power."
Bliss said there was an honesty to Australian hip-hop that set it apart from tracks produced overseas.
He says it is refreshing that local artists have broken away from the "women, money, drugs" mantra ingrained in most commercial American hip-hop.
"You don't have to talk about all this ridiculous bullshit and create fantasies in people's minds to connect the listener with the music," he says.
"The MC in America is on a pedestal talking down at you, whereas in Australian hip-hop the listener and MC talk on a much more even playing field."
After a 15-date tour in which Bliss n Eso trekked across the country for the past eight weeks, the hip-hop giants are heading to Tasmania.
They are set to line up alongside Horrorshow and Seth Sentry in Hobart next week, performing the last instalment of their Circus under the Stars tour.
Bliss says the hip-hop veterans have a few surprises up their sleeves for the all-ages outdoor show.
"I don't want to spill the beans but they're going to be historical," he says.
"For Bliss n Eso fans, it is like nothing you've ever seen before.
