Mr Rhodes and Rapaport will bring the funk to The Servo in November. Photo: @ZPZR 3.
For a vibe that captures 90s nostalgia, community and a plain good time, head to The Servo on Friday 21 November.
Veteran hip-hop jazz maestro Rapaport and acclaimed Bundjalung lyricist and producer Mr Rhodes will swing past Port Kembla as part of their co-headline East Coast tour.
Also on the bill are local rap artists Miss Jane and Azza D.
If you’re wondering what, exactly, a hip-hop jazz maestro sounds like, we spoke to the man behind the music, Joel Rapaport.
“My sound is rooted in 90s hip-hop lyrically, with a jazz influence in the way we play,” he said.
“The marriage works well musically because a lot of hip-hop from that era sampled jazz as well.
“There’s a long lineage of live hip-hop that incorporates soulful funk and jazz.”
Joel performs backed by a live band, while Mr Rhodes has a DJ and keyboard player.
An established figure in the contemporary hip-hop scene, Mr Rhodes is a consummate songwriter and performer.
Joel said both artists shared similar values, as well as a passion for storytelling.
“The big thing for us is to create a welcoming energy,” he said.
“The term ‘conscious hip-hop’ is a bit out of date now but it’s still relevant to what we do.
“It’s about positivity and community, not posturing and ego.
“We want to bring people into the performance.”
Joel has spent decades crafting his musical and storytelling skills.
He initially studied music at the University of Sydney before he spent 15 years as a hip-hop artist, established a label and put out albums.
Recently he picked up the guitar again, and felt drawn back to his jazzy roots.
“At first it was just for the enjoyment of it, but then I decided to go back to uni and study a Bachelor of Jazz,” he said.
“I had friends who did the course and I knew the quality of their playing.
“Being around other musicians who are developing their skills is so important.
“It’s been such a shift; I’m glad I’ve done it.”
The tour is to celebrate everything he’s learnt over the past few years, and to connect with other musicians.
Joel said he was excited to bounce off the talented team he and Mr Rhodes would take with them on tour.
“The guys in this band are beautiful people; we can bounce off each other,” he said.
“I’ve heard good things about The Servo and I know Port Kembla has a real vibe.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
The tour is supported by Creative Australia and Sound NSW.
To book tickets to see Rapaport and Mr Rhodes at The Servo in Port Kembla on Friday 21 November head to Humanitix.
