For a long time Aussie hip-hop felt like the last remnants of cultural cringe. We had the ‘tell what you see’ aspect of rap down, but the other dimensions of hip-hop were yet to be felt. We had no cool or finesse, and definitely, it seemed, not that much to get angry or even boast about.
In more recent years, young people with garage studios in Australia have been producing the kind of hip hop that is not only passable, but exceeds all expectations. It could be down to the increase in great hip-hop acts touring Australia, or most likely, the internet’s ability to provide young people whole back catalogues of music to gain inspiration from. Either/or, who cares, good hip-hop needs no explanation.
Ali Belmont and his producer Eleftherios are one such example. Out of a home studio in Melbourne’s western suburbs, they have produced the recent five track EP ONEPOINTFIVE, of which ‘Emeralds ’96’ is the standout single.
The best rap evokes a feeling of limitless possibility. Even if it’s aggressive, aggression in rap is more of an acknowledgement that the feeling is present and real. Sometimes lyrically that feeling can be lost if it’s overly explained, which is why ‘Emeralds ‘96’ is a perfect hip hop track. It is grand, Ali Belmont can keep up a steady and hard lyrical flow as good as any U.S rapper and even though rap is never described as ‘catchy’, the rhythm of the track finds its way into your body until soon you are grunting in time with Belmont.
After recently gaining airplay on Triple J’s Unearthed Radio, ‘Emerald’s ‘96’ is now on regular Unearthed radio rotation. Check out and rate the track here.
