Bio
The idea of hometown pride rides deeper than most in Tasman’s music: everything he does is indebted to the community that raised him, to the idea of giving back and carrying on the storytelling traditions of his family. For a small town on New South Wales' mid-North Coast most commonly recognised for housing one of the country’s most notorious missions and… most shameful history, Tasman is attempting to write a new history through his music, reclaiming pride by lifting up and giving back. His skills as a rapper have already made him impossible to ignore as a leader of Australia’s hip hop resurgence, but Tasman’s message and his storytelling are quickly making him into an essential artist, a wholly indispensable new voice in the conversation.
A potent mix of the thick, syrupy synths of 90s West Coast hip hop, the laid-back grooves of neo-funk, the twisted bass and skittering hi-hats of trap and the shadowy emotiveness of R&B, Tasman’s music defies categorisation. Produced by Kapital J & Papertoy with additional production from James Mangohig & Michael Hohnen, ’BILLY BAD AGAIN’ trades slyly menacing verses for an audacious, trunk-rattling chorus, with Tasman’s razor-sharp, grainy, Pusha T-evoking flow. ‘BILLY BAD AGAIN’ feels strong and streetwise, exuding a quiet, don’t-mess-with-me confidence. “No one catching up to me”, Tasman sings on the chorus. And you believe him.
Of the single, Tasman shares that "'BILLY BAD AGAIN’ came from a semi-frustrating studio session with my producers, Kapital J & James Mangohig, I was too focused on forcing out as many songs as I could. James had me step outside for a minute, when I came back in Kapital J had this beat that he said was perfect for the vibe we were in. It was this aggressive yet braggadocious instrumental that reminded me to have fun with it and talk my shit. ‘BILLY BAD AGAIN’ is the side of me that is confident and unapologetic, it’s about being that guy wherever you are and for me it’s my turn to show that through my music, whilst throwing in two Adam Sandler movie references”.
So far 2019 has seen the Bowraville rapper emphatically capitalising on the attention garnered by the release of his debut 2018 EP, Mission Famous. Recorded at Skinnyfish Music’s Studio G and produced by Mangohig and Nooky (Bad Apples Music), Mission Famous spawned singles ‘My Pelopolees’, which has racked up over 364,000 streams on Spotify, and the title track, which earned high rotation on triple j and Spotify’s All Aussie Hip Hop playlist, drawing praise from Vice, LNWY, Pilerats and more. He followed the success of his debut up with a collaborative EP with Darwin singer Stevie Jean, Evenings, released in August 2019, a narrative-driven, concept project centred around two individuals who come together for one night and the emotions that surround them as they orbit one another, feeling the other person out, clashing egos and discovering moments of connection. ‘BILLY BAD AGAIN’ follows Stevie Jean and Tasman’s lead single ‘Prey’ and Tasman’s most recent solo single, ‘move up’, both of which scored high rotation on triple j and FBi Radio. 2019 has also seen Tasman graduate to larger stages around the country, performing at Laneway Festival, Groovin’ the Moo, Bigsound, St Kilda Festival and more.
Determined to use his platform as an unstoppable, undeniable voice for the voiceless, Tasman recently shared the Mission Famous documentary directed by Sam Eagan, Harry Hunter & Joey Hunter of Entropico, taking the resonant social justice messages of his music to new mediums as he provides insights into the extreme highs and lows of life in Bowraville, shining a light on the collective achievements of his hometown.
Meet this week's triple j Unearthed Feature Artist, Indigenous rapper and rising star, Tasman Keith. He's got a way with words and a flow to follow.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I guess it started simply by growing up with a father as a rapper, a mother as a singer and a bunch of uncles that could play guitar. Being constantly surrounded by music I along with my older brother would always be performing or writing, from as early as 10 my brother, cousin and I had a rap group. At fourteen a lot of my cousins and I were squeezed into a tiny room just to spend hours writing and recording every afternoon. I feel like these things mixed with the study that I put into the music and the greats of the music over time are really what has helped me develop my sound so far. That, keeping my pen sharp and working with great producers.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
For me, anything can be a source of inspiration. But the greatest would be my community, Bowraville. These stories and feelings that I share, either come from a personal point or draw inspiration from what my people go through. Knowing that I have a voice that can not only be one for my community, but one people outside of my community can relate too is something that constantly pushes me to remain locked in.
What can punters expect from a Tasman Keith live show?
A lot of energy, a lot of truth and a bunch of mission references.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
There has been a lot. But either when my father told me that when it comes to business and music, never show your full hand, keep a few tricks up your sleeve. Or when my great-grandmother told me to work for it. Simple as that.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
Tasman Keith - My Pelopolees.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Birdz - Testify.
If that doesn't make you feel a way, I don't know what will.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Tasman Keith - My Pelopolees. Everyone yelling CRB (Cemetery Road Bowraville) is the key to a great party.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
Barunga Festival. At the start of this year, I lived in Darwin at Studio G for two months so it's local enough haha. But yeah, Barunga was amazing. If you are reading this, that festival is a must. Shout out to the Skinnyfish fam.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you.
To be completely honest, for the past 6 months I’ve been so focused on finishing this project that I haven’t been looking anywhere else. But I’ve always appreciated that there seems to be an overall general respect that the Sydney scene has for each other, that and the work ethic a lot of artists here have is inspiring and keeps me motivated.
What are your plans for 2018?
Watching the current single ‘My Pelopolees’ do its thing, which we have some visuals for as well. The project I’ve been working on with James Mangohig and Nooky is in its final stages and we have already begun to roll that out, so the release of that is a major part of 2018 for me. More visuals for the other singles I have on the way, and a bunch of shows as the music comes out, and of course working on the next, staying one step ahead.
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Review
there it is: the bar has been raised
there it is: the bar has been raised
Review
Tasman Keith and Kwame? Yeah that's lethal. The bros raged on us for this one. Can't get enough of the triumphant production and clutch-like energy.
Tasman Keith and Kwame? Yeah that's lethal. The bros raged on us for this one. Can't get enough of the triumphant production and clutch-like energy.
Review
the type of song that you blast so much and so loud that it makes the neighbours move out. good riddance losers, tasman and kwame are moving in!
the type of song that you blast so much and so loud that it makes the neighbours move out. good riddance losers, tasman and kwame are moving in!
