Last week we attended the first ever live iteration of Spotify's A1 Hip-Hop playlist in Sydney - a mammoth bill of hip-hop heavyweights like Triple One, Kwame, Manu Crooks, JessB, Hooligan Hefs and Sophiegrophy descended upon the Metro Theatre to absolutely blow the place up with their high energy, diverse sounds and nuanced style of Antipodean hip-hop.

As two leading female rappers in the scene, we called on Sophiegrophy and JessB to share their two cents on the astronomical rise of hip-hop in our corner of the globe, who to watch out for and what it was like getting spotlighted by Spotify.

How did you get into making music and who has been your biggest source of inspiration?

Sophiegrophy: I started making music when I was 13 years of age during the Teach Me How To Jerk era. I used to dance a lot and one day I thought to myself instead of looking for tracks to jerk to on YouTube, why not make my own song. I literally recorded my verse on my phone with a beat playing in the background and since then music has been my world. I like Lil Wayne; I grew up listening to him, his wordplays are everything. 

JessB: I naturally was drawn to music from a young age. I started writing my own raps in high school for my friends and decided to try and write my own tracks in my first year out of high school. I went with a friend and bought a mic and an interface to use at home and the rest is history. I was inspired by lots of artists growing up, but it’s no secret that Missy Elliott was a huge reason why I wanted to rap and is definitely a source of inspiration. 

From your perspective, how has the hip-hop landscape changed in Australia and New Zealand?

Sophiegrophy: When I was in New Zealand I was obviously a lot younger so I wasn’t really in the scene like that but comparing it to today there’s a major change. There’s more artists that are present and in their own lane; also hip-hop is a lot more diverse and popular at the moment whereby it gives people who weren’t confident to come out as a rapper a chance to really own it.

JessB: I think that Australian and NZ hip hop is becoming more international in lots of ways. There is now a much more diverse range of people creating hip-hop, which has in turn widened the sound, cultural inspirations and styles being used. I also think that with social media we are able to connect to fans and artists anywhere in the world, and our music can be exposed to them much more easily. The international features that I had on my last project were all initiated through social media.  

What local track can’t you get enough of at the moment?

Sophiegrophy: I’ll say American Honey by Sophiegrophy haha.

All eyes are on local hip hop - who are the three rappers/hip hop acts in AU/NZ you think are changing the game and why?

Sophiegrophy: Honestly everyone’s killing it, as I said, there’s so much diversity within each artist that makes them extremely unique. 

JessB: I think all artists in the game are a part of changing the landscape, culture and styles of hip-hop present on this side of the world. It’s hard to pick just three because everyone offers their contribution even if they don’t break out of the underground. Church & AP - love their experimental style and their individuality + bangers. Melodownz - has a style that has been his from the beginning and it is very relatable to lots of people in NZ. JessB - for the girls!!   

You’re on Spotify’s global A1 Hip-Hop with some of the world’s biggest hip hop acts. What does this mean to you? 

Sophiegrophy: I’m Just grateful & blessed to be on the lineup.  

JessB: It’s been really cool to have my music recognised and supported by Spotify in this way. I have always wanted to be an artist, even when I didn’t think it was possible. Achieving small goals and getting to rap as a job, and having extra boosts along the way has been nothing short of a blessing.

How have playlists like Spotify’s A1 made it easier for you to connect and grow outside of Australia and NZ? 

Sophiegrophy: Playlists like Spotify’s A1 is really what’s pushing hip-hop here to the forefront! People who aren’t familiar with Aus/NZ will be really shocked to see that there’s such a big movement happening right now. The hip-hop scene is full with incredible artists and I would say that is in large because of Spotify’s A1 pushing hip hop in this country where it’s meant to be.