Line-up

Headliner
Drapht Last time in Perth: 1 year ago

Venue

Red Hill Auditorium

Lot 2, Toodyay Road, 6056, Perth, WA, Australia

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Additional details

Doors open: 19:30

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Drapht biography

Drapht (born September 4, 1982) is the stage name of Australian hip-hop rapper Paul Ridge, who raised his profile as member of the collective Syllaboliks – hailing from Mount Hawthorne, Perth, Australia.

Perth-native Paul Ridge was first introduced to music by his jazz drumming father before the age of six. Ridge subsequently became interested in hip hop through a friend at school, Damien Allia, whom he would attend gigs at the Hyde Park Hotel with. Serendipity played its part in Ridge’s next move as he was invited to join the Perth-based hip hop collective Syllaboliks. Soon forming an integral part of the group, the rapper was able to hone his performance skills as well gain invaluable schooling from the other members.

Soon after the formation, Ridge made his debut on Hunter and Dazastah’s debut album “Done DL” in 2000, not long after the rapper had begun penning his own songs. Ridge’s debut solo track arrived in 2003 entitled “Misunderstood”, which found its way on to the album “Culture of Kings - Volume 3” in 2003.

The same year the rapper released his debut, full-length album “Pale Rider” in October. Featuring production by Dazastah, Fdel, and Drapht, the album hosts artists including Downsyde, MC Layla, Hunter, Selekt, and Porsah Lane, and garnered the rapper a notable national presence. Drapht’s sophomore album, “Who Am I”, followed in 2005, once again featuring Dazastah at the production reigns. Led by the radio singles “Drink Drank Drunk” and “The Music”, the record is marked by greater introspection and led to touring in support of Hilltop Hoods, Dilated Peoples, Downsyde, and Rodney P.

The rapper’s third full-length album “Brothers Grimm” appeared in May 2008, the lead single of which, “Jimmy Recard”, received regular rotation on Triple J. Peaking at No. 10 on the Australian Albums Chart as well as No. 9 on the V Energy AIR Chart, the record marked the rapper’s first charting album. Independently released, Drapht’s fourth album “The Life of Riley” (2011) was his most successful to date, debuting at No. 1 on the Australian Albums Chart. Featuring contributions by Briggs, N’fa, Trials, and Funkoars, the record catapulted Ridge to national notoriety and earned the rapper seven award nominations at the ARIA Music Awards.

Live reviews

For those who think hip hop exists exclusively on the coasts of the USA, you should head down the west coast of Australia to find Perth's vibrant and happening scene. One prolific figure of this movement is Paul Reid better known as Drapht. He has created quite a reputation for himself as a soloist and part of the prolific Australian crew Syllaboliks which also features Downsyde with whom Drapht is known to tour with from time to time.

Having built up a reputation on the underground over the years, he has worked up through the clubs and small rooms and now has a fanbase to justify him playing the bigger venues. It would seem he has a deserved spot on the bill as the house lights fall to a sparse stage and Drapht fills it with his presence and command. The audience is ready for the show and Reid is ready to command them throughout as his main energy source. He expects applause as he works up particularly lengthy verses or to bounce along with the bass beats through the night. They of course oblige happily as they are big fans of the rapper and even attempt to sing along during tracks including 'Jimmy Recard' and 'Rapunzel'.

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