This was originally posted on my weekly music and pop culture newsletter deadset (via substack) on Sunday May 30, 2020. I’ve drafted several versions of this newsletter issue this week. Things are developing so fast that it’s been near impossible to process all the news and imagery coming out of…

(This article was originally posted at deadset.press on January 7, 2020) On the outskirts of Australian well-to-do society, Western Sydney is commonly stereotyped as a crime-ridden backwater. However, for a group of young rap enthusiasts, Mt Druitt is a home they are proud of. Onefour is a collective of a…

Article originally posted on deadset.press on 8/12/19. The release of Billie Eilish’s latest video “Xanny” is bound to generate much discussion in the music sphere. Named for the anti-anxiety pill turned recreational drug, Billie sings about never wanting to even try Xanax. She takes a stand against the addictive and…

This article was originally posted on deadset.press on November 19, 2019. It’s been a wild few years to be a woman in the entertainment industry. The open secret of sexual exploitation and misogynistic power-plays has been blown wide open to a scrutinising public eye. The music industry is no exception…

Kanye West and controversy go together like bread and wine. His recent turn to religion has unleashed a tidal wave of discourse on Christianity, pop culture, and hip-hop. Despite several delays, his hotly anticipated gospel album Jesus Is King dropped last week. …

Throughout his turbulent career, Kanye West has pushed boundaries across all kinds of genres and subject matter. Despite the typical hip-hop machismo and borderline narcissism found in his lyrics, a surprising thread can be found stretching from his humble beginnings to today. There is a genuine grapple with faith, and…

Denzel Curry’s cover of Rage Against The Machine’s 1996 hit “Bulls On Parade” is striking a chord with listeners. …

Founded by and for millennial Asians with a global outlook, 88rising’s East-West approach to music and media has resonated with fans worldwide. In a few short years, the media group has yielded several successful tours, international collaborations, and a space in the music scene for what has been dubbed a…

Fall Out Boy are the undisputed poster boys of the 2000s emo movement. The black mascara and side fringes have come and gone, but the four-piece has maintained a consistent presence by pushing their sound into surprising places without alienating their diehard fanbase. A large part of that comes down…