Splendour In The Grass has unofficially already begun, with many punters currently staking their claim in the campgrounds and setting the pace for the next couples of days. Thursday night will see Splendour punters party either in the venue with a slew of DJ's - including the boys from Halfway Crooks, Indian Summer, and Joyride (we hear Raph Dixon from Jackie Onassis might be pulling a surprise set as well)- or heading to town to attend the official pre-party at The Northern headlined by Interpol.
With things happening so soon, most of you will already have a clear plan of who you want to see and for how long, and even though plans tend to go off on tangents at these festivals, we're here to bring you genre-specific suggestions on sets that you cannot miss. Since the biggest name at the festival is undoubtedly OutKast this year, we have decided to gear the suggestions to those wanting to put more of a hip-hop spin on their festival experience. Here are several performances that no discerning rap fan should miss:
Tkay Maidza (Friday; Mix-Up Stage; 12pm-12:45pm)
With a penchant for crafting infectious electro-rap tracks, Aussie rapper Tkay Maidza is sure to show off her hunger when she opens up the Mix-Up Stage on the Friday. Her hit "Brontosaurus" is a fun track which makes little sense when you're listening at home, but with that hypnotic electro drop and Tkay's sharp rapping, it's not hard to hear how festival-ready it is. Her new single "U-Huh" shows that Tkay's is far from a one-hit wonder, so you can expect the energy levels to remain high throughout her 45 minute set.
For fans of: Azealia Banks, Angel Haze, Diplo.
REMi (Friday; 7:3pm-8:30pm; RBMA)
There's a reason this Melbourne emcee made our top 3 hip-hop albums of mid-2014 with Raw x Infinity. The high expectations of his debut album were met and surpassed with a stunning LP that fully showcases the young rapper's versatile style. Production from Sensible J and Dutch stands as some of the best on any hip-hop release this year, and REMi's showcase of Raw x Infinity shouldn't be missed. With the album steady picking up steam as word spreads of it's impressive sound, REMi's biggest performance yet is a must.
For fans of: J Cole, Lupe Fiasco, Jackie Onassis
Childish Gambino (Friday; Mix-Up Stage; 9:15pm-10:30pm)
Childish Gambino's equal parts conscious hip-hop and commercial rap, strutting all over the line between the two with incredibly clever rhymes, head-nodding beats, and a presence that is undeniable. His nasal voice and intricate flow appealed mainly to hipsters when he first began this project, but more and more hip hop fans have been taking notice, pushing his latest album Camp to #1 status, making it one of the most credible records to top the Billboard charts in years.
His performances have been getting more impressive as he continues to grow as an artist, so his headline slot at the Mix-Up Stage on Friday is surely going to be a confirmation of Children Gambino's dominance.
For fans of: Common, J Cole, Lupe Fiasco
OutKast (Friday; Amiptheatre; 10:15-12am)
They don't really need an introduction, so I'll just let this left-field, smooth, one-of-a-kind ATLien jam here to blow your mind. As long as the front row isn't anything as disheartening as that at Coachella's first weekend then you can be sure Andre 3000 and Big Boi are going to bring their "A" game (I couldn't help it).
For fans of: Anything.
Peanut Butter Wolf (Friday; RBMA; 12:30am-2:00am)
This Cali-based Producer-DJ is always held to a high standard when it comes to both commercial and underground hip-hop, the man has very few equals when it comes to both skill and influence. The big boss at iconic label Stones Throw Records, he has been responsible for some of the best in rap, including Madlib and Strong Arm Steady. He even has contributed to the international growth of Aussie-grown artists Jonti and Katalyst.
So much clout within the realm of hip-hop doesn't come without skill, and Peanut Butter Wolf certainly showcases his best side during his live shows. Except an audio-visual treat while PBW delves into hip-hop classics old and new. Last time I saw out here he was supporting Action Bronson at Manning Bar, and seamlessly mixed everything from Death Grips and King Louie, to Group Home and Slum Village. This is definitely a set to see if you are one of those hip-hop fans who sticks to neither old school or new school and really appreciates all forms of hip-hop.
For fans of: Wu-Tang Clan, Souls of Mischief, A Tribe Called Quest, Slum Village.
360 (Saturday; Ampitheatre; 6:15pm-7:15pm)
Aussie rapper 360 will be keen to show off his brand new LP Utopia to the SITG crowd, an album which features some of his most balanced tracks yet. The emcee has placed a clear emphasis on artistic growth lately, so his latest material has become much more meaningful both to him and his fans; as such, look for 360 to pour more passion into this performance than he ever has. It'll also be a nice preview for his massive national tour coming up, on which he is supported by the likes of Hopsin, Pez, and Miracle
For fans of: Hilltop Hoods, Pez, Allday.
Illy (Sunday; Mix-Up Stage; 5:45pm-6:30pm)
His Cinematic tour earlier this year reiterated his status as one of the best hip-hop artists in Australia. His cocky, technically gifted style drives the world-class production while his creativity pulls him far above his contemporaries. Illy has been known to convert many of Aussie hip-hop's detractors, so there's no reason why his SITG performance should be any less impressive than than his previous shows.
For fans of: Bliss N Eso, Spit Syndicate, Horrorshow.
Hilltop Hoods (Sunday; Ampitheatre: 7:45pm-8:45pm)
Now established enough to be considered legends on the Australian hip-hop scene, Hilltop Hoods are consistent in their performances, mirroring the raw energy of breakthrough hit "Nosebleed Section" and capturing the essence of Aussie hip-hop again and again. Sure, their name pops up often at festivals, but there is a reason for that; being given the status of 'festival favourites' is something that's earned; and these boys certainly earn it every time they hit the stage.
For fans of: Bliss N Eso, 1200 Techniques, Def Wish Cast.
Danny Brown (Sunday; Mix-Up Stage; 9pm-10pm)
Drug-riddled party rap on the surface, heady and expressive hip-hop beneath; Danny Brown is one of the most complex rappers to emerge in the past few years, and he has a penchant for masking the depth of his lyricism with the deepest of bass, the most infectious of hooks, and the wildest of performances. Expect to get turn up at this set, if you've seen him before live, you already know that this will be a non-stop, sweaty party set that is guaranteed to leave bodies bruised and battered.
For fans of: Odd Future, Waka Flocka Flame
These are the primary hip-hop acts on the Splendour In The Grass 2014 line-up, but by no means is your dose of hip-hop limited to the above acts. Depending how open you are to different types of hip-hop you'll also enjoy:
Kelis
Silent Jay
Fishing
Wordlife
Sam Smith
Phantogram
Joyride
Halfway Crooks
