Joel Rapaport (Rapaport)

Joel Rapaport articulates personal thought bubbles, survival mantras and opaque moments through a sound influenced by grime, art rap, jazz and soul. Dense lyrics, dry humour, electric guitars dripped in reverb and a slapping drum break are most of his favourite things.

For over 15 years Rapper, guitarist, producer, Joel Rapaport has been leaving his mark on Australian grime & hip hop. He has released three solo albums, was nominated for Best Song at FBi Radio SMAC Awards in 2017 for ‘What I Got’ and was a Winner of the Triple J Unearthed NIDA competition for Loose Change’s ‘Grown Up’ Ft. Jeswon (Thundamentals) in 2013.

Rapaport has collaborated on recordings with artists such as Moju, Nooky, Joelistics, Laneous, Ozi Batla (The Herd), Tuka & Jeswon (Thundamentals), Jack Prest, True Vibenation, Omar Musa, Mathas, Chillinit, Nerve, Mantra and Meklit Kebrit.

He is the co-founder & managing director of record label ‘Big Village Records’, creator & director of hip hop / live art game show Sketch The Rhyme, Managing director of hip hop education organisation School of Rap.

https://youtu.be/olZ0cDVS4C0?si=nLrwDtJJORX_ldIi

Blake Rhodes (Mr Rhodes)

Sydney based Bundjalung lyricist and producer Blake Rhodes (Mr Rhodes) has cemented himself as a respected leader of future facing hip hop in Australia. Mr Rhodes started his career in hometown of Lismore as a solo artist and founding member of hip hop trio Teddy Lewis King with whom he performed at Sydney Opera House in 2018, and Falls fest. In Lismore Rhodes also worked teaching hip hop workshops full time to young people through a variety of programs including Rekindling the Spirit. in 2020 Rhodes was recipient of Create NSW X Powerhouse Museum Generations Fellowship and developed and presented the theatre show FLOW with Mitch King.

Rhodes moved to Sydney in 2022 when he was a recipient of the NATSIMO x Abbey rd Institute Scholarship. Since moving to Sydney achievements include Big Sound Performing artist 2022, 2023, NATSIMO X Apra Amcos writing Camps in 2021, 2022, 2023, being named a Ticketmaster Breakthrough Artist 2024, Space to Create First Nations Music Residency 2025 and touring with Horrorshow, Illy and Winston Surfshirt.

https://youtu.be/59KrHtKt2aM?si=VJKphonPnEkOvwZz