Sydney-based rappers Big Skeez and Gold Fang have joined forces to create ‘Where Yuh From’ - an electric anthem sparking the sort of energy that can only come from genuine brotherhood. It is a song that demands to be played at full volume, ultimately about proudly embracing where you're from.
I’m confident that with the chemistry we got, we can do some crazy things over here. We can do some damage for real.
The pair met by chance, only ever hearing about the other through mutual connections, not realising that in only a matter of time they would form a brother-like bond. "It was divine timing, I’m telling you. It was just meant to happen!” Gold Fang excitedly tells me, the pair grinning over the zoom call, knowing how many more bangers they already have in the vault. Big Skeez grew up in Sydney, and has been steadily releasing music for the last five years, bringing a blend of afrobeat and dancehall to Australia's sonic palette. Gold Fang grew up in Trinidad, only moving to Australia in the last six years. He quickly established himself in the community, and let his natural charisma take charge, bringing the sounds of the Caribbean in full tow. For the two, ‘Where Yuh From’ is their chance to showcase that in spite of perceptions, areas on the outskirts like Western Sydney are well and truly flourishing.
“My parents listened to a lot of African music, a lot of reggae and R&B" Skeez tells me, "My older brother listened to a lot of hip-hop. So, I grew up hearing all of that.” "I grew up listening to mostly soul and reggae, that’s what we played in the Caribbean.” Gold Fang chimes in. He tells me that he has always been interested in sound, even as a kid he was always curious, diving into funk and some R&B at an early age. "Oh, and Calypso – that is Trinidad’s genre, that’s our thing... that’s definitely in there.” he grins. With Gold Fang flying the flag for the sounds of the Caribbean, and Skeez for South Sudan - morphing their musical influence into their own work has created a connection on a new level, “Skeez is my brother for life now.” Gold Fang tells me. “The connection that we got solidified a lot of things. We can say with confidence that it is the first time South Sudan and Trinidad have linked up. It is a piece of history, a forever bounded piece of history. When people look back, they're going to see this as the first connection.” and an anthem like ‘Where Yuh From’ is a powerful starting point.
What kind of music did you listen to growing up?
S: My parents listened to a lot of African music, a lot of reggae, R&B. My older brother listened to a lot of hip-hop. So, I grew up hearing all of that, pretty much everything. I’ve pulled from everything I know into my own style.
G: I grew up listening to mostly soul and reggae, that’s what we played in the Caribbean. I’ve always been interested in sounds, even when I was a kid. I would say I got into some funk and some R&B as well. Oh, and Calypso – that is Trinidad’s genre, that’s our thing... that’s definitely in there.
Tell me about the process behind 'Where Yuh From’
G: The beat was a loop that was created for Skeez, and it just never really got used. Sometimes you feel it, sometimes you don’t. It’s all about how you feel on the day, and I guess this just didn’t make the cut. I was in the studio one day and Tom played the beat to me, and I loved it. I put down a hook and a verse, I didn’t really think about it too much, it was just something I would keep in the vault. Then Tom ended up playing that to Skeez, and we just smashed the song out!
The song is about embracing where you’re from – so how did your family receive the song?
S: When I showed my brothers and sisters out there, they loved it, they thought it was something so different. It was cool because the song is about being proud of where you’re from. It was beautiful. Even my mum, when she heard it for the first time she was like “woah!” My mum knew I made music, but I guess didn’t know how serious I took it, it was cool when she heard it. It’s the best kind of feedback.
G: Mum’s feedback is the best! I haven't spoken to my mum since I released it, I know I’m kind of slack. She’s living in Trinidad, so we miss each other but I need to give her a call soon. In terms of family members, a lot of my family has hit me up to tell me they had no idea I was hitting so hard over here! A lot of people were surprised and now they're anticipating the next drop... especially a drop from me and Skeez, they have been asking about that specifically. They keep asking me when I’ll get my brother on another song... but he is already on another song!
S: We have some ready!
What’s next for you? Is there more to come?
G: I can only tell you, keep your ears to the ground! We definitely got slappers coming. I’m confident that with the chemistry we got, we can do some crazy things over here. We can do some damage for real.
Have a listen to Big Skeez & Gold Fang's latest single 'Where Yuh From' on Spotify Below:
Words by Oli Spencer
Photography by Oli Spencer, shot over FaceTime
Comentarios