New On The Block

The latest prodigy out of the Obese stable, Illy is proving that, amidst an explosion of attention surrounding Australian hip hop’s many new faces, there’s real substance bustling through the crowd. And for Illy, it’s more than just getting your attention. â€œI try to say something that’s not big noting myself and not preaching to people. To have something that people will connect with, but at the same time just make it fun.”

It’s a concept that allows Illy to differ from other Aussie MC’s, who put more emphasis on lyrical flow or talking up their show. â€œStuff I don’t like in the Aussie hip hop scene is the really aggressive, multi-syllable after syllable rhyme that doesn’t really say much. I don’t really judge MCs on that kind of criteria.”

Illy’s songs travel across many varying terrain, but always maintain a steady hand at telling a story and bringing to life the quirks in the Australian character and culture. Although one song, ‘My Country’, was always set to sit on the nose of the shallow listener. At a time when a lot of Australian hip hop tends to extend the welcome shagpile to the yobbo sector of Australia, a song with the name ‘My Country’ was always going to be cast off by some critics as taking Aussie pride too far, even to the extent of inciting racism. "It’s been massively misinterpreted (but) I expected it, that’s why I really worked hard at wording it. I mean when you’ve got lyrics like ‘the sum of all nations, the sum of all creeds’; and to still have that reaction, I just thought ‘what do I have to do?”

Illy’s upbringing by Scottish parents and his love for travelling to new places overseas would seem to further strengthen his argument. It’s done nothing to damage his notoriety though, with high rotation on triple j coinciding with his billing on the national Obese Records Block Party as well as the ‘Clockwork Tour’ with Phrase. You could forgive him for not having the time to figure out his long term plans. â€œI’m actually most looking forward to finishing my new album. There’s three tracks already to go and I’m planning to finish my stuff around February/ March so look out for it mid next year.”

Illy plays The Tivoli, as part of the Obese Records Block Party, October 16. He then joins Phrase at the Step Inn October 23 and the Swell Tavern October 24.