“On top of that, I wanted to give back to those that have supported me throughout the last year and beyond” – Drapht

For fans of Australian hip hop, the news of the long awaited return one of the country’s most emphatic wordsmiths is truly welcomed.

After an extended break, brought on by the effects of a serious breakthrough album hangover in 2011 The Life Of Riley, Perth’s Drapht has decided it’s time to get back in the game.

Since 2003, the well appreciated western state MC has released four studio albums, collecting more than a handful of prestigious prizes up along the way. However, the well-travelled mic controller has begun a massive reshuffle in both his song writing, and performing.

Speaking ahead of his recently announced Uni-verse Tour, which will bless universities across the country with smooth lyrical tailoring, the emcee discusses opting to return to the live circuit.

This time around, the mic wielding lyricist is hoping to give back to his fans, whilst placing particular emphasis on making his shows accessible by all.

“I wanted to make it affordable; having a dollar figure on everything can be the difference between some fans, especially uni students, going and not going, I really want everyone to check it out.”

“The purpose of the two new songs was to push myself into trying something different, experiment and to get me out of my comfort-zone.”

The rhymer went on to add: “It ties in with the same mentality of my new writing. I really want to do things I haven’t been able to do for a few years, at an affordable rate. It’s good to give back in that way.”

Teaming up with long-time friend and hip hop comrade N’Fa Jones (of 1200 Techniques), Drapht has built a team around him capable of shaking the roof off any venue in Australia. For Drapht however, the touring partnership with N’Fa was a no brainer.

“N’Fa and 1200 Techniques are where Oz hip hop got their commercial [appeal],” he reasons. “N’Fa is, like me, a Perth boy and someone I really look up to.”

The pair have shared the mic on numerous occasions, such as ‘Bali Party’, a single from Life Of Riley, but also, more recently, on the newly christened track ‘1990s’.

With lyrics such as ‘virus of pirates aint related to Napster/ Vanilla Ice’s and Ice, Ice Baby was the rap song?’, it’s hard not to feel see where the reminiscent juices are coming from in Drapht’s poetic makeup.

“The purpose of the two new songs was to push myself into trying something different, experiment and to get me out of my comfort-zone,” says the emcee.

The new material currently being circulated around the country’s radio waves is the by-product of an MC looking to revert to roots of what made him take the leap from backyard artists to fully equipped entertainer.

Also ringing in the ears of fans is follow up track ‘Tasty’, which , in an all-out home state affair, enlist the creative production of fellow Perth talent and up and coming producer Ta-Ku.

Further adding to the concoction of new, musical royalty infused material, the Suffa MC laced track ‘Salute’ is gaining momentum with fans, patiently awaiting its live performance christening imminently approaching.

Fans lucky enough to attend the live set can look forward to a revamp and reenergized experience, as the songsmith aims to relive the brand of earlier performances, which skyrocketed Drapht’s popularity.

“I just want to strip back and get back to that intimacy with the fans; I want to get back to the type of performing I haven’t done for a few years.”

Drapht has admitted changes have been made this time around, most notably in the songwriting process. After four studio albums, the rhymer has acknowledged his own maturity, both in his writing, and life itself:

“I’m not 18 years old anymore, I’m not going to write songs about getting fucked up and doing graffiti ‘cause I don’t do that anymore. That’s not what I’m about right now.”

The emcee has credited a wealth of WA hip hop identities for his insatiable passion for the music. Since a young age, hip hop was the answer. “I grew up with it, but was lucky enough to have some of the pioneers around me,” he says

Placing particular emphasis on ‘paying it forward’ and sharing knowledge, a grateful lyricist credits those who gave him a chance, in a period where the Australian urban scene was an underground genre at most.

“Dazastah and Hunter – they really set me up. Here I was, a kid, and not really doing much, and Hunter gave me a spot on some of his tracks, it was unreal. Its stuff like that I’ll never forget and be ever-grateful for.”

“I’m not 18 years old anymore, I’m not going to write songs about getting fucked up and doing graffiti ‘cause I don’t do that anymore.”

It’s this type of mateship and camaraderie that is becoming a vital part of not only his personal development as an artist, but those around him – both on the touring circuit and in the studio, and one that is echoing throughout the Australian hip hop community collectively.

Although it may seem the rhymer is a musical workaholic, there are some interests outside of music keeping the artist occupied.

In between musical projects, the multi-talent has been kept busy by project of a different kind – running a boutique café in the city that birthed the urban all-star. However, the busy artist does admit that the workload is far from tranquil.

When asked if this was a peaceful relief from the hectic touring and recording game, the emcee chuckled: “When you think about it, this stuff that’s happening right now, it’s probably just as full-on as that touring schedule after The Life Of Riley saga”.

Without a doubt, the last days leading up to the tour opening will be spent fine tuning the marquee traits that have made Drapht one of the country’s most sought after live hip hop acts for the best part of the last decade and with the Uni-Verse tour, it looks like the scene is set for another year of Drapht domination.

Drapht heads out on The Uni-Verse Tour from today, Tuesday 26th February, and takes in dates and shows all around the nation’s universities through ’til the end of March. Dates below and ticket details below:

Drapht Australian Tour 2013 Dates

Tickets on sale now. Available here at:drapht.oztix.com.au

Join DRAPHT on The Uni-Verse Tour this February and March at the following venues:
Tuesday, 26 February 2013 La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC

Wednesday, 27 February 2013 Oh’fest La Trobe Uni, Bundoora, VIC

Thursday, 28 February 2013 The Wool Exchange, Geelong, VIC

Friday, 1 March 2013 Clipsal 500, Adelaide, SA

Saturday, 2 March 2013 The Saloon, Traralgon, VIC

Sunday, 3 March 2013 New Albury Hotel, Albury, NSW

Wednesday, 6 March 2013 The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba, QLD

Thursday, 7 March 2013 The Red Room U.Q St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD

Friday, 8 March 2013 Wharf Tavern, Mooloolaba, QLD

Saturday, 9 March 2013 Parkwood Tavern, Gold Coast, QLD

Sunday, 10 March 2013 Hotel Great Northern, Byron Bay, QLD

Tuesday, 12 March 2013 S.X University, Lismore, NSW

Thursday, 14 March 2013 Wollongong University, Garden Party, NSW

Friday, 15 March 2013 Bar On The Hill, Newcastle Uni, NSW

Saturday, 16 March 2013 The Entrance Leagues Club, NSW

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 Capital, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Thursday, 21 March 2013 Zierholz U.C, Canberra, ACT

Friday, 22 March 2013 UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney, NSW

Saturday, 23 March 2013 Village Fair C.S.U, Bathurst, NSW

Thursday, 28 March 2013 The Rosemount Hotel, Perth, WA

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