Music
5 new Australian acts to watch, as picked by Nerve
Brisbane rapper Nerve tells us about the homegrown hip-hop, rap and R&B acts he thinks are poised for big things in 2020 and beyond.
Rapper, producer, engineer: that's the resume of Brisbane identity Nerve.
His rare triple threat of talents is why we named Nerve one of the Australian rappers to watch in 2020. Today, he's delivering on that promise with his first single of the year, the wonderfully cheeky and bravado-infused 'Reece's Peeces'.
With his own status as one of Australia's best now fully established, to celebrate the release of 'Reece's Peeces', we asked Nerve to tell us about the local acts he thinks are about to break through. From drill newcomers to R&B vocalists, he's picked an incredible group of talents.
Get acquainted with 'Reece's Peeces' below and read on to meet the future stars of Australian rap, hip-hop and R&B, as picked by Nerve.
JK-47 and ECB
"I don’t think I need to justify this one too much. JK-47 and ECB as a whole crew are just on another level. Yeah, I might be biased cause we’re boys but I think most would agree. It’s been amazing to watch and be involved in the release of JK’s debut album and he is more than deserving of the praise and airplay it’s received since it dropped.
If you haven’t heard 'The Recipe', 'One One' or 'Get it' yet then you’re late. I look forward to watching this talented crew of blood brothers take over the country next year."
Vinsins
"I don’t really know if its right to say up-and-comer cause Vinsins kind of already has OG status but I’ve been cranking his shit in the car all week and it bangs. So much drill/new school AUS stuff at the moment is all the same wave, and it's refreshing to hear someone do their own thing and create a new sound like he does.
He also has the best jargon of any rapper I listen to: 'You got one ball like 360 while we got kegs like Toohey’s New'. Genius."
Liyah Knight
"Dope singer/songwriter that started dropping tracks only in the last few months but I’ve been getting around it heaps. I’d probably describe it as R&B/neo-soul with a little hint of pop and it’s a nice change of pace when I’m normally just jamming 808s and busting out the sub-bass in my car most days.
Her latest single 'Better Unsaid' has been a favourite of mine for a while as I was lucky enough to hear it before it was released thanks to my good friends Korky Buchek, who also produced the track."
BOY SODA
"This dude’s vocal talent is just unfair hey. I first heard of him through 24 Karat Kev and started sending him a few beats to vocal, and he just sent back hits on hits on hits. I haven’t been able to get to Sydney since March, but as soon as I’m allowed I’m gonna lock him in the studio for three days and make a whole EP that’ll blow your fucking mind.
Dude is basically SZA + (1000 other vibes) in male form and I can’t wait to see him blow up very shortly."
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