From spinning on his back to spitting on tracks, breakdancer and musician Bam Bam has got it all figured out.
With plans already in motion to create a record of his own, the young Melbourne artist strives to be different. Choosing the right beats is a lengthy process, but one he says should eventually pay off.
“I've got a really unique taste in what I like, I don't really want to pigeonhole myself as just a hip hop artist. When I look for beats for the album, I'm more looking for whatever my ears prick up to, from electronic dance, to straight up hip hop stuff to acoustic guitar type shit. I just try and get as many people to send me as much stuff as they can and hopefully find the gems I'm searching for.
“I'll definitely be releasing more free material, but at the moment I want to focus more on the business side of things. So far everything is going according to plan.”
After releasing two mixtapes of his own and supporting close friend 360 both in Australia and overseas, it's evident he's not a shy guy on the mic. But he admits his own material wasn't always well received.
“Ages back I was doing a heap of music but there was no market for it and nobody liked it. One of the main reasons why I actually thought about giving music a real go in the last couple of years was because I think Australia's ready for it now.”
Hip hop throughout the country has most definitely taken a step in the right direction; adding to the list of success is Sprung Festival. It's an event that showcases hip hop talent of all different tastes and styles — it's something Bam can appreciate.
“Having a festival like Sprung probably wouldn't have worked so well many years ago, but now Australian hip hop is accepted by the mainstream market and the younger generation, it's awesome to see,” he says.
“I'm amped about having it in my home town, that's going to be crazy. I've got a bunch of really cool shit planned so I hope it's a show that people don't forget anytime soon. I'm not gonna fire myself out of a cannon or anything, but there'll be some hectic stuff going on.”
Bam Bam plays Sprung Festival at Victoria Park September 21. sprunghiphop.com.au