Australian emcee Kerser has never been afraid of calling out anyone he thinks has done him wrong, whether it’s fellow rappers like 360 or even an influential radio station like triple j. On his new album, he’s done both.
Speaking to News Corp, the rapper apologised for attacking A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw on new album Taken Over the Scene, but said he refuses to apologise to 360, Allday, or our national youth broadcaster.
A brief snippet of the ABC news theme appears on one of the new record’s tracks, apparently intended as a middle finger aimed at triple j, whom Kerser feels haven’t given him enough airplay considering his youthful fan base.
“That sample has been cut up so I can’t get into any trouble for that,” he said. “I feel like I have been ignored by that station and the industry and they are meant to be playing music which appeals to youth. But they just won’t play it and I can’t put my finger on why.”
“If they checked out my shows or social media, they would realise that a lot of youth are into Kerser. I personally don’t think I need them when I have got to where I am and they have ignored me for this long. I can put a clip on YouTube and get 300,000 views.”
Indeed, Kerser’s connection with his young fans is considerable. The rapper actually had to move to the south coast to avoid the constant knocks on his door from young fans who knew his address and wanted to hang out with him.
However, we don’t think hitting out at triple j on his latest album — the prolific rapper’s fifth in as many years — is the way to endear himself to the station, who likely won’t be giving Taken Over the Scene a spin any time soon.
As for Grimshaw, Kerser explained, “Me, Jay UF, who features on the track, and my older brother Rates, when we were 17 and 18 and coming up in the whole battle rap scene, we would take the piss out of anything we could.”
Naturally, this included many stars of Australian television. “Tracy Grimshaw just popped into my head,” the rapper explained. “I will apologise for that one. But no, I will never apologise to Allday or 360.”
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Regardless, it doesn’t sound like Kerser is too concerned with any of his many beefs, he’s too busy. According to his News Corp interview, he writes raps every day, in addition to producing a video every month and an album a year.
“I think it’s important to stay consistent in people’s minds, to stay relevant,” he said. “As long as it doesn’t sound the same… I am making money. My last four albums have topped the hip hop charts and DVD charts,” he says.
“I’m living in a nice big house down the coast, I bought a Range Rover and I am constantly working to keep the ball rolling, staying positive and setting goals.”
