Delta : Interview

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 August 2009 18:11 Written by Rohan Williams Wednesday, 01 July 2009 09:34

Content: Music - Music: Urban

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UNIVERSAL HIP HOP

Most Australian hip hop artists don’t rate a mention overseas, but Adelaide’s Delta is the toast of LA and London for his sophomore LP, ‘The Second Story’. What’s his secret?

“It's because I go there man, because I'm in the streets,” explains the hip hop globetrotter, who made his first pilgrimage to the Bronx in 1999 and recorded his 2006 debut, 'The Lostralian', in London.

“A lot of marketing can be done, but nobody can get the music out there better than the artists themselves. I do a lot of shows overseas, and I go to a lot of open mics … If you wanna make something happen, get out there and make it happen.”

Of course, it also helps to be ridiculously talented. Delta's flow has earned him the respect of West Coast icon Murs (of Living Legends fame), New York's Mojo and Milano, The Beatnuts' Psycho Les and members of The Dap-Kings. They've all worked with the underground veteran and freestyle battle champ from the City of Churches; as has London's Mark B, who lent his distinctive production flourishes to 'The Lostralian'.

“There are two words on Mark B's wall,” Delta remembers: “'perseverance' and 'determination'. I think it's really important for me to put that out there; that I learnt from him that no matter what happens in this life, if you follow your heart and do what you believe in, things will usually work out. That's just the natural balance of the universe.

“He also taught me not to cut corners. If you're claiming to be so dedicated to your craft, then your phone should be switched off and you should be thinking about nothing but the song you're recording when you're in the studio. People working nine-to-five jobs who don't have the opportunity to make music would kill to be an artist, so you have to make the most of that opportunity.”

Regardless of all his frequent flyer miles, Delta's principal collaborator is Aussie turntablist Staen1. The triple Australian DMC champ has accompanied him for over 100 live shows, and features heavily on 'The Second Story'.

“Staen1 is right there with me,” says Delta, who isn't a fan of the trend where DJs are sidelined while MCs take centre stage. “I can't just rap over a CD, I have to have my DJ with me. We're like brothers. And he's an absolute monster. Three times Australian DMC champ … there's DJs and then there's Staen1. We prove our worth; we do our jobs; we do our thing when we get on stage.”

Ultimately, Delta sees no distinction between his world famous pals and Australian allies.

“The Aussie hip hop thing? It's just hip hop, man. It's great that we have our own identity, but even if you rap with an Aussie accent, it's still hip hop. You don't need to put 'Oz' in front of it. We should be able to say we make hip hop music. I did a fundraiser at a school the other day, and the kids didn't know one hip hop song from New York at all. But they knew Drapht. If we're that established, we don't need to use the 'Aussie' qualifier.”

This universal mindset and a “whopping HECS debt” aren't the only things Delta picked up from the philosophy degree he earned between tours.

“It leaves me with a bit of guilt if I drop ignorance on a song,” he says earnestly. “I'm smart enough to know my responsibility now. If the youth is going to listen to what I do, I should be giving them more than a half-empty carton and some nonsense that's going to send them to jail. I encourage people to think, question their government, question what they're being taught, look for knowledge and dissect the status quo.”

Unlike some of his musical contemporaries (and most philosophy students, for that matter), Delta understands the need to put in work.

“It's not about me getting drunk on stage. It's about me doing a show for people who work hard for their money. I've got a social responsibility, man, to turn the crowd out and give people a good night … anybody can come to a hip hop show. People should all be able to feel they can come to the show.” 

Delta plays the Jubilee Hotel Saturday July 4 with Staen1.  Kings Konekted, DJ Sheep, Vapor Ink, Affirmative Word, Triple 3 and DJ Darkwing Dubs all support on the night. 'The Second Story' is available now through Shogun Distribution.