One of Queensland's most dynamic producers of multicultural arts, Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC) has curated eight original productions and three discussions that make up the final half of their A Stage Called Home programme.
A standout of the programme includes Live & Unfiltered, a dynamic line-up of local artists from the roster of independent Brisbane label Relentless Records, taking place next week.
It's a night (26 September) of hip hop, R&B, soul, reggae, Afrobeat, and more, celebrating resilience, identity, and the unfiltered voices of marginalised communities across Meanjin and the Pacific diaspora.
The showcase features a cast of five young and hungry artists who are set to be the new wave of the Australian scene. Relentless Records' Director-Artist Manager, John Faiumu shares some insights into each artist.
JJ4K is a Pacific Islander hip hop artist who tells stories of struggle, identity and survival through raw lyricism and mobster metaphors. He's had a massive year after getting support from triple j Unearthed and will wrap up the year sharing the same line-up as Kendrick Lamar at Spilt Milk.
"The speed that he's growing, we didn't anticipate how quickly he would get noticed," explains John, "but I had that feeling when we started the label, when he was working on his first EP and listening to the tracks that he had created from the start.
"Every A&R agent or manager of a big musician can tell you, they just knew they had a really great artist on their hands and I can say that I experienced that same feeling with JJ when he was creating his first EP."
JVYDEN is a Māori R&B, soul artist who explores love, cultural belonging and spiritual healing through smooth melodies. One of JYDEN's standout moments is a collaboration with JJ4K on the single 'Lead You On'.
"It's been a real strong hit this year, they've gotten a lot of feedback from fans being excited that they brought that early 2000s sound back to that track.
"I think that's why it's probably doing so well; probably a lot of listeners my age that enjoy it," John says with a laugh.
Bala Rontu is a Torres Strait Islander who delivers infectious rhythms and conscious messages through reggae and Afrobeat.
He bottles the warmth of the Pacific and adds a global twist. "There haven't been many releases out of him because he's really knuckling down and building his vault.
"He's been working this whole time recording a library, so when he's ready to release, he can consistently drop releases and grow his audience."
Clinny P is an Australian/ Italian pop-melodic rapper. He offers a vibrant fusion of catchy hooks and heartfelt storytelling that reached the mainstream when he placed inside the top 21 of this year's 'Australian Idol'.
"Clinny P actually followed JJ4K quite early in JJ's career," shares John. "He reached out to him through the triple j Unearthed website. That's how we met Clinny P, he's been supporting JJ from day one, pretty much.
"I invited him out to a few gigs of JJ's; come meet the boys and collaborate with everyone that we know. We sort of stayed in touch the whole year and after he did 'Australian Idol' he reached out to me."
The Live & Unfiltered line-up is completed by the high-energy delivery and hard truths drawn from growing up between worlds of Brayden Jay, a rising Australian hip hop artist who started as an independent engineer.
After making a name for himself for shaping the sound of other artists, he's now stepping into the spotlight with his own music.
"He's our engineer, he asked to sign onto the label 12 months after we built it. He was just looking to breakout as an artist rather than sticking to a producer and engineer."
Relentless: Live & Unfiltered takes place at VENTspace (Brisbane) on 26 September.
