Introducing Bilby and his new, five-track EP, Walkin 2 The Lake

Header photo by Mark Clinton.

Australia's hip-hop scene grows with new creative minds regularly now, with Bilby – a Sydney-based rapper/producer/singer – being one of the latest acts to keep an eye on. The multi-faceted musician has just released Walkin 2 The Lake, a five-track EP that explores his playful hip-hop sound ahead of the release of a forthcoming full-length SHADE later in the year. Enlisting Atlanta's Meltycanon for production duties (who boasts a repertoire including Father, Lil' Yachty and more), Walkin 2 The Lake is fun, flavoursome and actually pretty great, tackling everything from Sydney rappers to fake politicians (on a track called Barnaby Joints funnily enough) above glistening, playful melodies and crunching percussion. Dubbed as "the world’s fav emo rap prince", Bilby does something a little different to everyone else in Australian hip-hop at the moment, with his sound drawing away from the heavy American influence that dominates the Australian hip-hop market in favour of one more unique and left-field, something which becomes more apparent as you dive into the EP below.

Tell us about yourself.

I'm Bilby: the extraordinary Blinky Trill. I'm making these beats like you never heard before and rapping these raps like you never heard before. I sing too!! Grew up in the 2100 but in the 2040 now.

What kinda tunes are we talking?

Trying to make original rap music in a fashion that hasn't been done before. Trying to carve out a new identity for Australian rappers who would otherwise just be remaking drake songs from 5 years ago... which is what everyone is doing but they'll catch up hopefully.

Production/Writing process?

Very messy yet consistent. I'm constantly playing around with beats, melodies and raps but the principles of my tracks are emo-y guitar parts (emo as in American Football, not My Chem – you feel me?) and thumping, energetic beats. I could knock out a track in a day or it could take me months but that's just blinky.

Can you tell us about your new EP, Walkin 2 The Lake?

For the first time ever I handed production over to someone else. Actually less handed over than just purchased some beats. Got em from Meltycanon whos produced for Father, Lil' Yachty and Lord Narf. His beats are the only original beats I've ever heard a producer create (apart from me) that fit with the Bilby vibe and can compliment my rapping style with my singing style. 5 tracks, all cute.

Any shows coming up?

I'm playing with Anty from the Bennies soon at The Factory Floor but no, not apart from that. Hit up bilbyinfo@gmail or yesrave4eva@gmail.com for bookings, ya venue gotta have a sub though.

Whats the rest of the year have in store?

I'll be releasing my LP SHADE through Yes Rave later in the year. This one is way longer and as usual, I handle all the production, writing, recording etc. I wanna play more shows though so book your boy bilbs.

Where can we hear more of your music?

All the regular outlets yakno? Spotify / triple j Unearthed / Soundcloud / Bandcamp

Catch your boy on the socials to for cute piccys and additional content such as steak reviews #therarereview: Instagram / Facebook / Twitter