Knowledge. Strength. Internet fame*. These are the three defining characteristics of gaming/vlogging/amateur boxing star Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji (aka KSI). After more than ten years in the digital entertainment business, and a string of hot singles, his debut album Dissimulation is due out next week, and it’s touted to be one of the biggest releases ofContinue reading “KSI // From Internet Fame to Rap Star”
Author Archives: Kevin Loo
“Would you be my little quarantine?” // How artists are reacting to COVID-19
Which artists are singing or rapping about coronavirus? Are artists expressing their loneliness and isolation in relatable ways? Is anyone singing about Tiger King?
Interview // Dobby & The Rise of Aboriginal Hip-Hop
Dobby, real name Rhyan Clapham, is an up-and-coming MC hailing from rural NSW. He has an infectious presence and represents a new wave of homegrown hip-hop carving out a unique voice and perspective for First Nations People in an increasingly globalised music sphere. His mission is to spread messages of positivity and empowerment not onlyContinue reading “Interview // Dobby & The Rise of Aboriginal Hip-Hop”
Onefour Video Essay // An Australian Hip-Hop Story
This video is a visual post based on the long-form essay published in January 2020. Read the original post here.
Interview // 4ESydney & Vyvienne Abla
In the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic, life as know it has grinded to a halt. While the economy tanks, businesses close and medical services fear overloading, the arts community has also been left by the wayside. This year was meant to be a milestone instalment for Western Sydney’s premier HipHop and culture eventContinue reading “Interview // 4ESydney & Vyvienne Abla”
F*ck It Mask On // A Visual History of the Face Mask
In today’s apocalyptic climate, one piece of fashion/protective equipment has shot to the forefront of public consciousness – the humble face mask. As a way of concealing identity or for personal protection, the face mask is an obvious solution. As a part of streetwear fashion however, there is a story to tell. From its originsContinue reading “F*ck It Mask On // A Visual History of the Face Mask”
4ESydney Festival: The Home of HipHop
Here at deadset, our mission is to dig deeper into the issues and ideas that underly seemingly disposable pop culture. Right now, rap/hip-hop is having a moment globally and locally and 4ESydney is a movement out of Western Sydney that embraces all these aspects. The festival focuses on multi-art disciplines, music and local culture throughContinue reading “4ESydney Festival: The Home of HipHop”
Hayley Williams VS The World
Former pop punk princess turned Debbie Harry for millennials Hayley Williams is in the process of a solo reinvention. After years of fronting Paramore through ups and downs, her own music was released mid-February as her Petals for Armor project. It is Part 1 of a full album to be released later in 2020, andContinue reading “Hayley Williams VS The World”
Balming Tiger: Making Kpop Weird
Balming Tiger are a South Korean arts and music collective with a penchant for the eclectic. Their sound is diverse, and hits like the Ritalin-deprived lovechild of Odd Future and meme-era Awkwafina. Their latest single “KOLO KOLO” released a few weeks ago is a zany, jungle-soul track that flips between English, and nonsensical gibberish lyrics.Continue reading “Balming Tiger: Making Kpop Weird”
Eminem: “When will it end?”
On standout track “Darkness”, Eminem takes aim at gun control in the US, adopting the perspective of the 2017 Las Vegas shooter to highlight the darkness in these perpetrators’ minds, and the absurd frequency at which these events occur.