Remi is a young, Nigerian-Australian rapper who has come so far, so quickly in his short career, his past and present selves are almost like completely different people.
These two divergent selves will get to meet in space, if not in time, when Remi performs at this year’s Groovin the Moo (GTM) regional-festival series. “That was my first proper festival, where I had to camp away from home,” Remi says about GTM.
“I went as a punter [to Bendigo] with no idea I’d end up performing there. I hadn’t even started rapping then, so yeah, it’s a bit of a trip.”
According to present day Remi, past Remi was pretty clueless when it came to music. “It’s funny, when you first start rapping, you’re terrible but you want everyone to know you’re a rapper. And then as you get better, you don’t want anyone to know.”
Remi still has a few, old recordings of his self-proclaimed, dreadful, early days but he’s keeping them to himself. What he does share with the world are his piercing thoughts, cleverly crafted into bite-size rhymes, beamed over smooth beats that carry an old-school hip hop feel.
Remi writes about his personal experiences of racism, the 9-to-5 culture and the problems he sees around him in the world. “I didn’t have anybody spitting these messages at me when I was going through that shit. So, I hope I can help another mixed-race kid, or even a lady who feels like she’s been overpowered, dealing with a sexist world.”
Remi is certainly not the only artist rapping about these issues. But there’s one thing he does that makes him thoroughly unique. If you check out his YouTube clips, you’ll see he’s actively involved in the comments, responding to people’s thoughts on his music and standing up against bigotry. “If you start an open discussion, you need to be prepared to be a part of it.
“One of the biggest problems with racism, and pretty much any of the issues we have in the world, is people are willing to stay silent.”
Being active in the discussion is not always easy. “Anybody who’s had to deal with oppression or bullying in their life will tell you revisiting it is incredibly draining. On days where I address that shit, I’m mentally exhausted by the end. But, at the same time, that’s just 24 hours out of my life to hopefully change how people look at these issues.”
No matter where his career takes him, this is how Remi always wants to operate. And his knack for blending staunch opinions with a calm and collected delivery suggest future Remi will be someone worth listening to.
For future Remi, this year will be all about music. “We’re actually 90 per cent of the way through our next album, which is called ‘Divas And Demons’. This album’s very different, more introspective, more personal, rather than a bunch of broad topics.
“The first song should be out before Groovin The Moo. It’s featuring an awesome rapper… I’m not going to say who yet though, I’d prefer to leave that a surprise.”
While he’s keeping the details quiet for now, Remi did let slip that punters at GTM will get to hear the new song live. Remi has more than just a new album to be excited about too; he’s celebrating the anniversary of one of the greatest milestones for any artist. “This time last year, I got to quit my day job. I’m not living like P Diddy or anything, but it’s been nice to get as much as I got at my shit day job but for doing something I love.”
The Groovin the Moo 2016 Tour Diary
Sat 23 Apr - Maitland Showground (NSW)Sun 24 Apr - University of Canberra (ACT)
Mon 25 Apr - Oakbank Racecourse (SA)
Sat 30 Apr - Bendigo’s Prince Of Wales Showground (VIC)
Sun 1 May - Murray Sports Complex – Townsville Cricket Grounds (QLD)
Sat 7 May - Hay Park (Bunbury, WA)
Remi Tour Dates
Thu 19 May - The Foundry (Brisbane)Fri 20 May - Newtown Social Club (Sydney)
Sat 21 May - Howler (Melbourne)
Fri 27 May - Jack Rabbit Slims (Perth)
Sat 28 May - Fat Controller (Adelaide)
