5 Under 500: Perth Rap Edition

So you might remember when we were spinning out some 5 Under 500 article action, bringing to your attention a few emerging acts whose sounds we'd been getting into, with under 500 likes on Facebook. After witnessing Perth rap up'n'comers CHU. and Hindley stepping up and owning their support slots for Sydney rap alumni The Meeting Tree at new live music venue Jack Rabbit Slim's this weekend just gone, we started thinking about some of the underrated rap fire that's started to burn up Soundclouds and stages West Coast-ways recently.

KID DINGO

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Okay, this is pretty fun - kind of like a young Aussie version of Chance The Rapper's Social Experiment project. Kid Dingo's lyrics have a humourous Aussie larrikanism, paired with chip-tuney production and pop drums. This one below's already swung in at #47 in the overall triple j Unearthed charts, and #10 in the Unearthed pop charts - not bad at all for a debut! Live, Dingo (who plays keys, sings and creates the tunes) is backed by a band: The Love Super Highway. Catch them at the Odd Fellow on August 21.

Above: Kid Dingo

PHRIES

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20 year old Perth beatmaker Elliott French, whose studying currently at SAE, is making some really nice hip hop instrumentals right now. By his own admission, he's inspired by the greats: J Dilla and Madlib. Looking forward to hearing some rappers go in on his slick-sounding stuff in the near future.

Above: Phries (via Wordplay Mag)

MC BECKON

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He's put in the hard yards the past few years, and it seems Beckon's now really hitting his stride. This MC is all about the jazz and soul-inspired beats, that he laces with his super-smooth and assured flows. His Mindstate EP (featuring production from Equalibrum and Empty) is upbeat, catchy and showcases Beckon's charismatic voice - listen to the track Entertainer below. Beckon has a show coming up for you - he's performing with The Flow Cartel September 5 - details here. 

Above: Beckon

HYCLASS

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Singer Suzie Tuiali, aka Hyclass, has some serious swagger. The Maori/Samoan rapper, who has been working the scene for a solid amount of time now, not only throws down bars with the fierce flex of female 90s hip hop icons like Da Brat or Gangsta Boo, but she can hold a tune, too - her voice rolls off the beat like silk. Hyclass has picking up heat, getting up on stage recently at new hip hop nights Melted Sundays and The Odd Couple, and Suzie was also on hosting duties at the recent Ladies of Soul event. She's currently recording her next project with help from Rae, Natalie Mae and Wallah, and according to her Facebook, it's 'sounding sweet'. Keen for the next chapter. 

Above: Hyclass

HINDLEY

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At the very fresh age of 18, ambitious lad Alex Hindley honed his chops as a lyricist running a series of story-telling shows for Perth artists, that he chased up with his first mixtape late 2014. Now "19 Years Cold", he's got an impressive list of gigs around town under his belt (including a support for The Meeting Tree just this Saturday gone), and late last year launched a raw and revealing EP in Pine Wood Bones. Hindley's been quoted as saying he hopes to build a new perception and acceptance of hip hop locally, and nationally. His latest track Weak is strong - a dark, lurching beat is paired with a snarling, powerful delivery boasting a maturity beyond Hindley's years.

 Above: Hindley

*BONUS INCLUSION*  

So these guys are just over the line at around 800 likes, but we think a worthy inclusion:

CHILDSPLAY

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If you like your raps cruisy as all get-out, you gotta give this Freo trio a red-hot go. Samuel Newman, Christian Ruggiero and Shannon Patterson (also of Koi Child) are making jazzy hip hop numbers warm with live trombone and sax instrumentation. We're getting Hiatus Kaiyote kind of vibes, and there's an impressive amount of craft present in their sound.

Above: Childsplay 

We're always up for hearing new talent - come at us with your creativity anytime.