Brenden Boslem aka Bozza is an unsigned, indigenous hip hop artist from the small, Far North Queensland township of Cardwell.
He first began writing in 2000, but began to take his music seriously in 2010 after the deaths of both his grandparents.
After pausing in 2013 to focus on the arrival of his first child, Bozza returned to music in 2014 producing the demo 'A Father's Love'.
After a series of releases, Bozza last year won the Best Urban Artist at the Australian Music Independent Awards.
Now based in Brisbane, he recently released his second EP, 'Hate Or Relate'.
How did your win at last year's Australian Independent Music Awards (winner of Best Urban Artist) propel your career forward?
[Bozza] By winning the award, it has given me a lot more recognition in the mainstream industry and has built up my confidence to pursue further with my career.
If you can go back to the awards ceremony in Sydney; what was that night like?
It was a great experience; definitely brought me out of my comfort zone as I'm from a small town called Cardwell. To have the opportunity to interact with other artists, DJs and media was a great way to move forward in my career.
For those new to the Bozza hip hop flavour, how would you describe your style?
My style is very unique. It has a mix of Aussie/ American pronunciations, as I have grown up listening to American rap icons. My songs are always about life experiences, how I'm feeling or motivational speaking.
You've recently released a new EP titled 'Hate Or Relate'; is there a particular theme or reference to the title?
The background to the title of my EP comes from myself on a personal level; you can either hate the album or relate to the album.
Where and who did you produce the album with?
Black Ace Studio at Boondall in Brisbane's north.
Shopping for beats; did you pursue anyone in particular to collab with? Or do you also produce your own beats?
I have a couple of upcoming artists who I have networked with to create the songs; all my beats are leased or bought as I don't have my own producer.
The finished product; are you happy with the results of 'Hate Or Relate'?
I am very happy with how the album has turn out.
When it comes to your rhymes, do you write personal lyrics or is it more general subject matter you cover?
A little bit of both. I love to express how I feel in my music.
Next couple of months for Bozza; do you have any live performances planned? What is your general game plan for the summer ahead?
Not at this time coming to the end of 2017. However, next year I will be planning to do a lot more. Game plan is to work on my third EP to be released.
Looking into a crystal ball; 2018 for you, what are you KPIs you want to reach… is an overseas tour/ trip something that could become a reality?
My main focus is to get my name out a lot more as I'm new to the Brisbane hip hop scene.
You hail from Far North Queensland… any local crews/ rappers that have influenced you to pursue music?
No unfortunately. This has been something I have wanted to pursue since a young age listening to great hip hop icons.
What does it mean to you to be an independent musician?
It means everything to me to be an independent musician, this is how I express myself with how I'm feeling or going through at the time [sic]; it also brings joy to me knowing that I can relate to other people through my music.
