Adelaide-based hip hop artist Stefan Rossi recently released his EP 'Faith Over Fear', launching it to a packed room at the Uni Bar earlier this month.
A musical journey many years in the making, it was when Rossi crossed paths with Sydney producer Danny Duke (Lizzo, Sampa The Great, Baker Boy) that things began heating up creatively.It was from this introduction that Stefan was welcomed by Duke as well as Chunky Luv, Maxine, Saint Lane, Melkior and others, and instilled the self-confidence Rossi needed to pursue music as a full-time enterprise.
This resulted in the 'Faith Over Fear' EP that Stefan describes as an 'ode to your choice, a choice in optimism, a choice in belief beyond cynicism, understanding it is natural to have fears but not to live under their shadow'.
Focused on the storytelling aspect of his music, the EP features trap beats alongside gospel choruses, hard-hitting pop melodies and potent vocal hooks.
"Thank you Danny Duke for believing in me, nurturing and guiding my skills into a place where I believed in myself again," Stefan recently posted to his IG page, "producing a sonic pathway for my creativity to grow beyond my imagination.
"Not only someone who changed my musical journey, but someone who reminded me how much I have to offer as a person."
I sound like... A curious artist, telling my story while challenging myself to be vocally versatile.
Our first gig was... HQ in Adelaide.
In the studio I usually... Chill on the couch and have a laugh.
If I could tour with anyone... Tyler, the Creator.
Social media is... A showcase of your potential.
My favourite app at the moment is... FotMob so I can check my soccer teams scores, haha!
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... I forgot to shave for school photos, got given an old razor to use and took my school photo with all cuts on my face.
Life on the road can be... Lonely.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that the rider contains... A cannoli post show.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... Major turbulence from Mexico to Las Vegas.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson for you... Jay-Z. A true business man with an elegant approach.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? New York, because it has hip hop culture, Italian culture. A mix of my favourite things.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Kanye West, Madonna and Robert De Niro. I want to hear what music was like during the Roc-A-Fella era (Kanye), the '80s (Madonna) and film in the '70s (De Niro).
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Pasta 100 per cent with our family homemade sauce.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? Lover, I own three dogs.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Montenegro.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Yesterday, my local MMA gym.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Vacuuming.
Do you have any phobias... Turbulence.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? Not really, I love my acting shows.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? My best mate. We are always joking but if I nail it he will buy it: Pretending to be a Hollywood actor.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? 99 Gang Social on Hindley.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Deadpool. Always having a laugh, but I flick the switch to put the work in when I need to.
Last show you binge-watched? 'The Offer'. I love old cinema and 'The Godfather' is one of my favourites, so the insight and actors portraying the producers, directors and actors were phenomenal.
