Strictly DT moves to Melbourne: "I’m still mad fresh to this place."
Strictly DT is an old friend of Rappfox and we catch up with him on his move to Burn City.
DT it’s been a minute, how have you been? What have you been up to?
Hey Rappfox long time no see I’ve been great thanks for asking! Still settling into the new city, moved my family into a nice place, organising the house and preparing for a dope 2019
You recently moved to Melbourne to further your career, how has the move been so far?
The move has been exciting but confronting at the same time. Moving over with your partner and newborn son to further your music career is nothing short of crazy! No connects in the scene, leaving a city where I was performing every other week, to not performing at all and starting from scratch. I quit my job to move to a city where I have no job, and leaving my immediate family and friends in the Perth Hip Hop scene to give this a proper go. Jumping into the unknown is the best way to grow and learn. The love, support and trust that my partner and son give me is enough to push through the pressure and just do my best.
How do the Perth Hip Hop & Melbourne Hip Hop scenes compare?
I’m still mad fresh to this place. I’ve only had the opportunity to attend a handful of events so far. But from what I gathered is the population difference. With such a jump in numbers its much easier to experiment and be your authentic self knowing there’s a good chance people will attend. I’ve been to boom bap events, (shout out to Nelson Dialect & Must Volkoff! They threw a great show), Indigenous empowerment events representing Naarm, which is the original Wurundjeri name for Melbourne (so much talent that night, shout out to @Drmngnow - Neil Morris, @RiverBoyofficial and the girl who nearly made me cry with her moving poems, @Laniyuk) I even dragged K21 (also new to Melbourne) to a trap event. With saying that, I’ve also witnessed Perth is at a stage of growth and transition. The last few gigs I’ve done with Hyclass especially, I’ve noticed so many new artists and bands emerging from the scene! Different styles, different sounds, I’m enjoying it. I’m excited to see where Perth goes next.
You have still been appearing in shows in Perth, what is it like coming back to Perth to perform?
I love it! I miss it! I can’t wait to do more. It’s crazy I didn’t think Perth would want me back so soon! I thought it’d take a year or two at least haha. But no, I’ve been blessed to be flown back twice now since the move and I’m grateful for the love and opportunity to come back to my family and people. Like I said before, going from gigging every weekend to none for awhile, drives any performer mad.
You have also been appearing in Melbourne shows, how do the crowds compare?
The participation. It takes a whole lot of energy and persuasion to get people to "come up to the front" or "put a peace up in the air" in most of my gigs at home. But I've mention taking a step forward to feel the energy, not hearing one lyric yet, and they all move their way right to the front no hesitation. Took me by surprise. I don't know, maybe they thought I was Tiger Woods or something coming to spit a bar haha.
2018 is coming to a close, what do you have organised for the remainder of the year?
At this point I was focusing on getting to know Naarm a little better. Hit up more open mics, connect with the people, then I get an email saying I’ll be supporting Royce 5’9” December 20. Christmas comes early!
What can we expect in the new year 2019?
I’m currently finishing up an EP unlike anything I’ve ever done. Working with the close homie, Ralph Radical, has really given my artistry an opportunity to explore a completely different side to myself and my writing. We’re also setting up some exciting new merch for the new year. The response we got from Parlay has been amazing and has given us all the more reason to share the rest of our work with you - I cant wait! Tour in every city and just live.
Appreciate you having me Rappfox. You’ve been a day one friend in the scene, since I launched one of my first mixtapes! Your ear is close to the streets of Perth. Always have love for you. I hope you’re shift overseas has been successful and refreshing!
Follow Strictly DT on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Soundcloud & Bandcamp!
Photo 1, taken by Billy Menzies.
Photo 2, taken by DS Studio x Cultural Renegades
DT it’s been a minute, how have you been? What have you been up to?
Hey Rappfox long time no see I’ve been great thanks for asking! Still settling into the new city, moved my family into a nice place, organising the house and preparing for a dope 2019
You recently moved to Melbourne to further your career, how has the move been so far?
The move has been exciting but confronting at the same time. Moving over with your partner and newborn son to further your music career is nothing short of crazy! No connects in the scene, leaving a city where I was performing every other week, to not performing at all and starting from scratch. I quit my job to move to a city where I have no job, and leaving my immediate family and friends in the Perth Hip Hop scene to give this a proper go. Jumping into the unknown is the best way to grow and learn. The love, support and trust that my partner and son give me is enough to push through the pressure and just do my best.
How do the Perth Hip Hop & Melbourne Hip Hop scenes compare?
I’m still mad fresh to this place. I’ve only had the opportunity to attend a handful of events so far. But from what I gathered is the population difference. With such a jump in numbers its much easier to experiment and be your authentic self knowing there’s a good chance people will attend. I’ve been to boom bap events, (shout out to Nelson Dialect & Must Volkoff! They threw a great show), Indigenous empowerment events representing Naarm, which is the original Wurundjeri name for Melbourne (so much talent that night, shout out to @Drmngnow - Neil Morris, @RiverBoyofficial and the girl who nearly made me cry with her moving poems, @Laniyuk) I even dragged K21 (also new to Melbourne) to a trap event. With saying that, I’ve also witnessed Perth is at a stage of growth and transition. The last few gigs I’ve done with Hyclass especially, I’ve noticed so many new artists and bands emerging from the scene! Different styles, different sounds, I’m enjoying it. I’m excited to see where Perth goes next.
You have still been appearing in shows in Perth, what is it like coming back to Perth to perform?
I love it! I miss it! I can’t wait to do more. It’s crazy I didn’t think Perth would want me back so soon! I thought it’d take a year or two at least haha. But no, I’ve been blessed to be flown back twice now since the move and I’m grateful for the love and opportunity to come back to my family and people. Like I said before, going from gigging every weekend to none for awhile, drives any performer mad.
You have also been appearing in Melbourne shows, how do the crowds compare?
The participation. It takes a whole lot of energy and persuasion to get people to "come up to the front" or "put a peace up in the air" in most of my gigs at home. But I've mention taking a step forward to feel the energy, not hearing one lyric yet, and they all move their way right to the front no hesitation. Took me by surprise. I don't know, maybe they thought I was Tiger Woods or something coming to spit a bar haha.
2018 is coming to a close, what do you have organised for the remainder of the year?
At this point I was focusing on getting to know Naarm a little better. Hit up more open mics, connect with the people, then I get an email saying I’ll be supporting Royce 5’9” December 20. Christmas comes early!
What can we expect in the new year 2019?
I’m currently finishing up an EP unlike anything I’ve ever done. Working with the close homie, Ralph Radical, has really given my artistry an opportunity to explore a completely different side to myself and my writing. We’re also setting up some exciting new merch for the new year. The response we got from Parlay has been amazing and has given us all the more reason to share the rest of our work with you - I cant wait! Tour in every city and just live.
Appreciate you having me Rappfox. You’ve been a day one friend in the scene, since I launched one of my first mixtapes! Your ear is close to the streets of Perth. Always have love for you. I hope you’re shift overseas has been successful and refreshing!
Follow Strictly DT on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Soundcloud & Bandcamp!
Photo 1, taken by Billy Menzies.
Photo 2, taken by DS Studio x Cultural Renegades