Photo by @jack.gobbe
As the Australian hip-hop scene begins to finally gain the recognition it deserves, 3K is on the rise. Pairing catchy hooks with diverse flows between the three MCs, the Melbourne group was our BIGSOUND highlight last month with a live set charged with the vigour that many up and coming artists possess. We were stoked to chat with members Beluga and Benny Lago about their hectic year and what it’s like to be a part of the burgeoning Aussie scene.
Hey guys, appreciate the chat! To say it’s been a big year for you guys would be an understatement, what have you learnt about yourselves or life, in general, this year?
Beluga: Thanks for having us! This year has definitely been interesting for a lot of reasons. One of the biggest things I learnt is to find the balance between being confident in the art you create and also at the same time being extremely hypercritical. Living in that grey area is what’s been developing myself to become a better artist as well as a person.
Benny Lago: I’ve learnt to be humble and to be grateful for every little thing that I have this year. It’s been an exciting year with the release of a single and an EP which set off a chain of events with 3K but I’m constantly reminded every day by life to appreciate everything!
There seems to be no slowing down for you guys, having just released your latest single ‘Ain’t One of Us’. What are the influences behind this track?
Benny Lago: I produced this track while I was going through a phase of listening to some West Coast rap. Wanted to make something that was bouncy and easy to dance to compared to our usual hard songs. DJ Mustard, YG, Shoreline Mafia were definitely a big influence as I started making the instrumental.
Photo by @jack.gobbe
You guys were our fav set from BIGSOUND. The event is renowned for giving exposure to Australia’s rising talent, what was going through your heads in the lead-up to those shows?
Beluga: We’re glad you enjoyed the set! To be honest I had no idea what I was getting into with those shows. I knew they were important to an extent but we try and treat every show as if it’s the most important show in our career.
Benny Lago: Honestly I was thinking, “HOLY SHIT we’re going to Queensland to play a festival!” But at the same time, I knew how vital it was to us to do our best and impress the hell out of everyone. There were some nerves knowing that BIGSOUND was more industry-focused but we still gave it our best just like every set that we do.
Who or what influences your craft, musical or otherwise?
Beluga: I’m inspired by everything around me. Whether it be art or just life experiences.
Benny Lago: It’s always cool to take influence from everything that we encounter. Whether it be breaking up with a girlfriend, listening to different music, or even the sound of a washing machine.
How does your diverse background affect the music?
Beluga: It means we all have something significant and different to bring to the table each as individual MC’s and then even more as a hip hop group. We all have different backgrounds but we’re also Australian so I feel that dynamic between helps with the chemistry of the music.
Benny Lago: Each of us bringing a unique experience to the group is always positive. Like for example growing up, I used to watch the ‘lion dance’ which is like some Asian thing they do for good luck. I vividly remember as a kid I was so intrigued by the drums and I guess that was also one of my earlier influences which made me enjoy drum patterns and such.
Photo by @jack.gobbe
Who would your dream collaboration be with?
Beluga: Ludacris. Please. But he’d have to go hard. Like “Word of Mouf” era hard. I feel like he still has that energy in him and I want to hear it.
Benny Lago: Kanye West. Need I say more? Or maybe Taylor Swift. We’ll see.
Aussie hip-hop is going through a definitive moment. What do you make of the scene right now?
Beluga: The scene is incredible! People are finally recognising that Australian hip hop isn’t just all bogan and eshay rap. There’s nothing wrong with those genres but to become a significant hub for music and art there needs to be diversity. Not just diversity in the artists but also diversity in the art and I think Australia is going through that at the moment. It’s awesome to witness and just as great to be a part of it as well. We just hope that our input can add to the legacy of Australian hip-hop.
Benny Lago: It’s amazing to see so many types of people making so many different types of hip-hop in the scene. The Melbourne scene especially is super lovely and everyone treats you like family regardless if you’re friends with them or not.
How has living in Melbourne influenced your art?
Beluga: I’ve seen Melbourne become more and more multicultural over the years and it’s fucking cool. Being a part of an increasingly multicultural society has definitely influenced my art and let me express myself in ways that I wouldn’t be able to if I was living elsewhere. People are always shocked when I tell them I make music but that’s what I do and I wouldn’t be able to do that if I wasn’t surrounded by the people around me.
Benny Lago: Being around so many dope different artists is so inspiring. You take a little bit of everything you hear especially Melbourne being such a multicultural place.
What do you think it takes for an artist to make it in 2019?
Beluga: I have no idea because we haven’t made it yet. Releasing content is an important thing though. Always release content and grow from every release you do.
Benny Lago: In my opinion, making really good music with a personality behind it. People want to know who you are and essentially the face behind the music. It’s rare for an artist to make it by just releasing good music.
Photo by @jack.gobbe
In a nightmarish sequence of events, you can only listen to five songs for the rest of your life. What would they be?
Beluga: This one’s hard. My mood changes with music so much I don’t think I could ever just be held down by 5 songs. Frank Ocean would probably be on the list tho. I don’t know who else from there.
Benny Lago: This is a loaded question so it’s hard to boil it down to 5 songs but if I were to name 5 songs off the top of my head: 1. Self Control - Frank Ocean 2. Runaway - Kanye West 3. Devil in a New Dress - Kanye West 4. Fucking Young/Perfect - Tyler the Creator 5. Chanel - Frank Ocean
What’s next for 3K?
Beluga: A wife, a dog, a car then a mortgage and then MAYBE a child if I’m feeling up for it.
Benny Lago: Crazy shit. All I gotta say.
Thanks for chatting guys! Check out ‘Ain’t One of Us’ here and be sure to follow the boys as they continue to rise.