It seems somewhat fitting that Kai Tan and Raph Dixon reunited in a university lecture, one that was dedicated to the most iconic First Lady in recent history: Jackie Onassis Kennedy.
A couple of years on, her name is being put to good use as the sobriquet of the aforementioned duo – and now one of the most iconic sounds in Australian hip hop.
Propelled into stardom by their Triple J approved Holiday EP, Juliette is a triumphant and more mature return to the scene.
The release explores a brand of unique storytelling that is somewhat native to our proud country. Lyricist Tan floats between crooning choruses and astute rap verses to paint a flawless picture of current Australian society.
Admittedly the EP never soars to the same heights as Holiday cuts ‘Crystal Balling’ and ‘Smoke Trails’, but the duo do come close to replicating the winning formula on the new tracks ‘Special Occasion’ and ‘Back Home Again’.
Backed by Dixon’s excellent, non-invasive beats, Tan raps with passion and commitment – though his slithering vocals often do get lost in the narratives, making it difficult to both enjoy the song and keep up with the story.
With the impressive beats and rhythms that rival the best in the game at the moment, there’s no doubt that the original Jackie Onassis would be proud. I’m not sure who Juliette is, but I’m sure she would be very proud too.
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Listen to ‘Special Occasion’ from Juliette here:
