Perth-based rapper Cruz Patterson (Koi Child, Kissinger Kruz) recently dropped his second single 'Venice'.
This time produced by old friend and musical peer, Kevin Parker (Tame Impala). The two met years ago at a spontaneous gig in a Fremantle bar and, not long after that, were working together on the self-titled Koi Child album.When Cruz decided to work on a solo project, asking Parker for any "spare beats" was a no brainer. "The lyrics were written during a time when we (Koi Child) were touring a lot, going to festivals across the country almost every month.
"Naturally, party life was a big part of the experience so I kinda wrote about how these things were cool and fun, but all things should be dosed in moderation.
"The verses are my usual abstract style, but I just went with how the beat made me feel rather than get too deep and preachy. Just something short, sweet and cheeky."
Who is... My name's Cruz Patterson. I moved to Australia from South Africa almost ten years ago. Started rapping, been in a few groups since then, including Koi Child and Kissinger Kruz. I've worked with Kevin Parker (Tame Impala), ShockOne, Super Ego and Mali Jo$e.
I sound like... A few people have said I've sounded like Kendrick in certain tracks. I guess they're referring to my voice, especially in the ShockOne track, which is kinda awkward as an mc, mostly because I am heavily influenced by Kendrick but obviously don't want to replicate his sound.
Besides the voice thing, it's hard to say who or what I sound like. I've recorded over numerous styles of instrumental and I like to think I'm quite versatile as an artist.
My first gig as a solo mc was... At a music venue in Perth supporting a South African mc called Nasty C. Really strange gig. I think I played for like ten minutes because of time constraints, but I still enjoyed myself. It was good to see so much support for a South African artist all the way in Perth.
When did you settle on your artist name? My good friend Sam suggested the name Cruz Patterson. He pretty much got me into music and rapping and stuff, and was one of my first friends in Australia.
Cruz is actually my middle name. So yeah, it saved me having to think of something catchy like cruzy p 123 (which later became our wifi password).
In the studio, I usually... Try to have a coffee before getting started, and I try to make sure that while I'm recording, I have a beer (in a bottle) in my hand. I don't necessarily have to be drunk or drinking all that much. Something about it just makes me feel cool, carefree and slightly badass.
If I could tour with anyone... I guess it'd be MF Doom. He's one of my idols. I imagine he'd let me wear his mask, we'd have lil cyphers together and share stories about how we used to be broke (I'd be mad rich in this dream).
Social media is... To me, what maths is to an English major. Sometimes I wish I had someone following me around filming and just posting my life.
The thing is, I know I'm not boring, but I can never be bothered filming myself or sharing my thoughts on public platforms. As soon as I hit record or whatever, I don't feel as authentic as I do irl. Maybe I just need a coffee and a beer in a bottle.
However, get me into an interesting IG page and I could sit there for hours watching clip after clip. Check out this page called el rey del corrido it's got all the fun things.
My favourite app... At the moment is Notes. Notes is the f'n BOMB! I have my instrumentals right there ready to play and I type out the verses in the same breath; as soon as I exit, it goes into the cloud and poof it's on my laptop.
Honestly, my typing skills are hot trash, but when I'm in Notes, the possibilities are endless. YOU CAN EVEN ADD PICTURES!
To date, my most embarrassing moment was... In second year after a school concert, the principal was giving a super-long prayer and I was busting. I didn't want to interrupt him or piss God off, so right there in front of hundreds of people, ye boy went wee, wee, wee all the way to his ankles. That's devotion.
Tbh, there's been worse but no one actually tells their most embarrassing story. You only ever get the back-up one people keep on their person, cocked and ready for the age-old question. I'll keep my secrets, same as everyone else, thank you very much.
Life on the road can be... Craycray-amaymay, but like everything it has it's ups and downs.
I've seen band mates fall asleep standing up. I've run through Sydney airport for what seemed like 3kms and seconds to spare before missing a flight. I've slept in the trashiest, nastiest hostels and played gigs in chafe city with a smile on my face.
It gets crazy and sometimes nasty but in all fairness, it's the best place to be in the world. There's nothing like it and besides the actual shows, there's nothing that makes me feel more on top of the world.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that the rider contains... Sailor Jerry and cold water or ice. Biltong is my all-time favourite snack, but it's almost impossible to find the real deal – soft fresh biltong – anywhere that isn't Africa, so just the Sailor J and you'd have yourself a very happy performer.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... Being in a jail cell in Cape Town. I could hear screams from the other cells, but luckily the cops were nice enough to lock me in with some middle-aged dude passed out on the floor, who got taken in for drunk driving.
He woke up the next morning and we had a good yarn about how young I was to have been in that situation for a second time (the first time wasn't my fault, but he wasn't buying it), and how I needed to get my act together before it was too late, especially if I'd planned to move to a first world country.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be your spokesperson? I'd love to have Conor McGregor as my spokesperson 'cause he has enough confidence for both of us and more. And he could go on about how we both used to be broke.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party? Donald Trump, Kanye West, to prove to myself that Kayne isn't actually Donald in blackface, and lastly my sister, Carol, because she's the best and I miss her.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? If you were coming over to my place for dinner I'd be like 'yo that's pretty annoying and kinda rude of you to just rock up but I guess you can cook yourself some noodles and chow down while I play PS4?
When you're done we could play Crash Team Racing if you like?' Having people over for dinner isn't really my thing. Let's go out. Or I'll see you at the gig next Saturday ye druggo.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Sailor Jerry? Money? Send me a case of money, for more Sailor Jerry. Oh and a case of Sailor Jerry sponsorship. Sailor Jerry. Sailor. Jerry.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... A few years ago. I lived across the road from a gym. Back when our password was cruzy p 123 (no caps). The gym had glass doors, so I'd see the inside whenever I left the house. Yeah.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Washing the dishes.
Do you have any phobias? Nah, no phobias, but recently I've been extra sensitive to like scraping, sorta chalkboard scratchy noises/ feelings. Gross. International airports do kinda freak me out though ngl.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? If so, what type? Yeah dawg. The cruzy p 123 hours a day show staring ye boy young Cruzy doing the show. Does that count? If not then, nah.
Too many challenges in most of them and I'm in a great relationship so 'Love Island' or that other island couple up show wouldn’t work for me. Maybe like a 'f... that's delicious' show but for Sailor Jerry and biltong.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Mmm pranks. I dunno? Never been much of a prankster.
Little things every now and then. Tapping someone on the left shoulder and being on their right, pretending to throw something in the air and not actually throwing it, telling my girlfriend I'm still ten minutes away while in fact, I'm about to park the car. These smaller tricks pretty much fill the prank meter up enough for me. I'm a simple man. With simple ambitions.
