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The Hip Hop fairytale goes something like this:
Step 1: Create a crew with your best mates
Step 2: Spend a few years making the music you want to make
Step 3: Hustle and build a loyal fan-base
Step 4: Release an album that connects with the masses and becomes considered ‘a classic’
Homebrew are living the hip hop fairytale right now.
After years of slogging away on the independent grind (their first release dropped in 2007) they have finally broken through and scored a number one album in their native New Zealand. The last time a hip hop act did that in NZ was back in 2003, and the artist was Scribe. More importantly for Homebrew, they’ve done it without any compromise.
This is not music that follows a radio-friendly formula (five of the songs are over 5 minutes) and the double-album’s subject matter (suicide, alcoholism, loneliness) is too confronting and too real for the PG-rated, Channel V audience. What Homebrew have in bucket-loads is talent, charm and honesty. The MC Tom Scott is, simply, believable. He is telling his story. It’s not until you hear that earnestness in his voice, helped along by an amazing flow, that you are reminded of how rare that approach is in hip hop today.
Something must also be said about the brilliant production by Harry “Haz Beats” Huavi because the musicianship is world class. He blends electronic production with live instruments and a revolving door of guest singers to create a sound that brings together a variety of influences without ever sounding as if it’s contrived. In fact, both MC and producer make the whole thing seem rather effortless…..making it all the more impressive.
If you want to peer inside the mind of an articulate, gentle/obnoxious, politically-minded, mostly unemployed, romantic, drug-loving poet from the rougher end of New Zealand then Homebrew are the crew for you. This is great music that tells a human story that you won’t hear anywhere else. It’s honesty captures a moment in time and a culture, something that strikes a chord with anyone willing to listen closely. This album represents a people, and those same people have made it a success. Fairy-tale shit.
The Tongue is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most imaginative and skillful MCs. After forging a reputation as a fierce battle MC he signed to Sydney label Elefant Traks and has his third album dropping in 2013.
For more info on The Tongue click HERE