NEW AUS VIDS: SMAK, JORDANE, THE KID LAROI
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Our weekly picks from the New Hip-Hop Videos From Aus playlist; as always, highlighting the latest and best videos from across the AU. Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our channel to be the first across the hottest new clips. Updated weekly, there are thousands to watch in our YouTube playlist! Which video are you into this week? Slam the comments with who we missed…
SMAK – SMAK TALK 2
(Kurt Schwerdt)
Please don’t let sleep on the work-rate of Smak this year. The Meanjin/Brisbane based artist and producer has dropped collaborative projects with Dan Bones and ginge mansion respectively, all the while holding it down on ‘Smak Talk’ and its latest sequel. Reminiscent of Nerve’s ‘Walk & Talk’ series, who handles the steezy production on the new track, Smak has evidently embraced his prime in 2023. ‘Smak Talk 2’ is accompanied with visuals by Kurt Schwerdt who follows the “Down Under kid” in some humble Australian settings. There’s something in the water in Brissy because the work-rate has been unbelievably UP.
THE KID LAROI, JUNG KOOK & CENTRAL CEE – TOO MUCH
(Ramez Silyan)
Three superstars from three different countries; Eora/Sydney’s The Kid LAROI unveils ‘TOO MUCH’ alongside Jung Kook from South Korea and UK’s Central Cee. A few months after ‘Forever & Again’ from Barbie The Album, LAROI delivers another record breaking moment ahead of his full length album THE FIRST TIME, set for release in November. Directed by Ramez Silyan, the music video brings various magazine covers to life as each artist touches on finding and maintaining love through their lens as some of the biggest newcomer names in the hip-hop and pop world. It’s been over two years since the final instalment of his previous debut and his success has only accelerated. All ears await THE FIRST TIME.
JORDANE – 2000MILES
(Ben L’Aiguille)
‘Indian-Australian singer Jordane shares the electrifying new track ‘2000Miles’. Following the success of her previous release this year, ‘Is It Wrong?‘, this Boorloo/Perth native continues to captivate her audience with her transportive harmonies and candid lyrical storytelling. In the artfully crafted music video directed by Ben L’Aiguille, Jordane mesmerises as she tinkers with a car in a workshop and embarks on a captivating ride through vibrant city streets. Through her intricate exploration of restraint and vulnerability, Jordane commences her journey of liberation. You’ll find yourself cranking up the volume on this track during your next freeway cruise.
FAITH685 – R.O.T.Y
(Blacklisted Visions)
South Melbourne’s young prodigy Faith685 is back with a bang on his latest release ‘R.O.T.Y’. After taking a break from the music scene, he’s returned with a vengeance, armed with raw lyrics and a powerful delivery as the “Rookie of the Year”. Directed by Blacklisted Visions, and filmed and edited by Zacobro, Faith is surrounded by his bredren as he confidently claims 2023 as his own, and only the beginning. Over the hard hitting production courtesy of SLothy, the Samoan lyricist shows no signs of slowing down as he continues to etch a name for himself as one to be watched within the Aus drill scene. RIP Txkeout.
SCOTTY HINDS – NO LIE
(DGF)
Veteran of the Australian grime scene Scotty Hinds drops an uplifting and motivating new tune ‘No Lie’. Over light guitar chords, a hummed vocal sample and Jungle drums produced by Aylx, the Naarm/Melbourne based rapper ponders his mortality while remaining focused on his goals. Directed by DGF, the POV music video follows Hinds behind the wheel, connecting to the song’s overall theme of the many roads one can take on life’s journey. Only a few months since his FIFTY FIFTY tape with Fraksha, ‘No Lie’ is the final track from Hinds’ latest EP Grime & Greeze.
RIDZYRAY – KEEP YA HEAD UP
(Alexander Naughton)
Ridzyray delivers a definitive anthem for love and positivity with new single ‘Keep Ya Head Up’. The Wemba Wemba MC lets us know just how good life can be and how quickly things can go from bad to good if led with love, not only for yourself but for those you care about too. Ridzy’s deep voice and relaxed flow sound incredible over soaring horns and the beautiful backing vocals in particular. The music video showcases all the talented musicians involved with ‘Keep Ya Head Up’ being created as part of the Singing our Futures program from the Archie Roach Foundation.
Written by Frank Tremain, Tahlia La Galia and Declan Bailey.
