Straight from Perth, Crabitat has come through with a hip-hop album that’s so distinctively from his native land that you can’t help but notice less than thirty seconds in. Delivering a sound that’s slightly wacky but altogether fresh, ‘Ounce of Rhymes’ is a rap record that’s completely devoid of any form of negativity or gloomy tones. It’s delightfully fresh, a record that has you reminiscing of the beats and melodies of old school hip-hop through a frequent and well interspersed usage of turntables of more. But there’s also a degree of comical relief presented through humorous bars and slightly clown like arrangements.
What’s immediately discernible about Crabitat is his unapologetic decision to be his authentic self throughout Ounce of Rhymes. While many an artist from non American regions tries to mask an accent, Crabitat is Australian through and through. And by all accounts, the accent hits hard. The entire record has you feeling curious where the other Australian artists are and what their styles might be. Crabitat wants this record and himself by extension to be an ambassador, to signal a coming of Australian hip-hop that’s authentic, fresh, and altogether positive and optimistic.
You’re bound to have a good time listening to Ounce of Rhymes, it’s a whole lot of styles bundled into one to make for a record that’s markedly different from what you’d expect from the current cream of hip-hop. A pleasure to dive into.