Hip Poppa

With over 20 years of experience, Bias B has immersed himself so much in the grittier elements of Australian hip hop culture that he not only lives it, he epitomises it.

Controlling a career that now spans into its third decade isn’t short of its difficulties. Having a family has its complications, even for the seasoned pro, though his latest work would suggest otherwise.

“It’s a lot more mature and, I think, sonically it sounds more polished than other albums. The beats match and sit really well together, but overall I think it’s just a step up from other albums; the maturity and the content is just a bit more deeper and personal than other albums.”

Those interested to hear the insightful pieces of B’s mind, will be both content and satisfied with his approach to ‘Biaslife’. Not one to shun away from the harshness of life or afraid to open up, he spills out what to expect from his latest release. “A lot of honesty, someone speaking from their heart. I guess I’m giving a piece of my life, as honest as possible, I give that in every album but with this one a lot more, with having a family these days – it’s just an honest album coming from the eyes of someone who’s been part of Melbourne hip hop for a long time now.”

Besides collecting a lifetime worth of experience, the Melbourne-based veteran has witnessed a few things in his time. Bias B has watched it all rise from the bottom to the top. From humble beginnings in the dark recesses of the country’s underground, Australian hip hop, like the mass movement worldwide, rose to the forefront of the music scene, finding its character and fulfilling its potential.

“There used to be a lot of people just trying to sound like the American hip hop they were buying, but people have found their own voice now and got their own style, they’re being real technical with their lyrics, the beats, etc. I think they’ve just taken it to a lot more professional level.”

A prominent figure in the construction of the genre locally, it’s no surprise that he’s adopted a compassionate role within the industry, which means Bias is not only here to educate, he’s equipped to welcome the new breed coming through, having already paved the way. “I think it’s my responsibility to let people know who the good dudes are coming up and to give them a bit of inspiration,” he says. “I just let them know that they’re doing a good thing, I respect what they’re doing and tell them to keep it up. Just to let them know what they’re doing is a good thing and to take it further. “There’s so many rappers out there these days that you need to stand out. They got their own personality to it, their own persona, and I really got to encourage that.”

His paternal nature extends to home life, where he plays to a different crowd, and although it’s a small gig, it’s demanding. “I thought it’d be easy to be a stay-at-home dad and just write raps whenever I felt the need to – it doesn’t quite work that way with kids running around screaming and wanting your attention 100 percent of the time. In a way it does work, it makes me more mature about the music, I guess, and I think more about what I’m doing but, at the same time, when I’m inspired, which is usually late at night or early in the morning, it’s not a good time because you got to do the whole kid thing. It does have its positives and negatives, but overall it’s been quite difficult at the moment.”

It might be tough, but it’s certainly not going to encourage a career change. Another album is out there and B can’t wait to hit the ground running on his upcoming tour. “It’s just my life. It’s what I’ve always been. I started doing graffiti around 1987 when I was exposed to hip hop and ever since then it’s sort of been my number one thing. It makes me feel good inside. It’s just me, you know. I hear a good hip hop beat and I just want to rap; it just drives me to keep going.”

BIAS B PLAYS THE STEP INN ON SATURDAY JUNE 25. ‘BIASLIFE’ IS OUT NOW.