Massive

(VOCALIST, EMCEE, 2010-2015)

MASSIVE drew its power from the rich cultural diversity of young artists from Melbourne’s West. Bringing together original rap lyrics, lush three part harmonies and body percussion MASSIVE created a sub-genre of hip-hop that was flavoured with old skool hip-hop, gospel, traditional cultural tunes and protest music. MASSIVE comprised of 15 young urban artists who identify as Cook Islander/ Niuean, Samoan, Lebanese/Tongan, Caribbean/North African, Filipino, Comoros islander/Tanzanian, English/Spanish, Ugandan and Ghanaian.

Between 2010 and 2015 MASSIVE honed their unique repertoire at festivals, local venues and events such as Melbourne Festival, Moomba Festival, Falls Festival, Australia Day at the Sydney Myer Music Bowl, Big West Festival and Brunswick Music Festival, Light in Winter Festival, Viva Festival and the re-opening of Melbourne flagship concert venue: Hamer Hall.

MASSIVE’s blend of infectious hip hop has attracted a wide range of collaborators including South Sudanese rap star Emmanuel Jal, Diafrix, Horrorshow, Blue King Brown, hip hop artists Mantra, Lotek, Motley, Lesson, Jimblah (Apology Concert Sydney Myer Music Bowl), Deaf Arts Network, Anti-Racism Action Band, Outer Urban Projects, Arts Centre Melbourne’s Dig Deep Program, Multicultural Arts Victoria, OZ Soul Collective, Western Edge Youth Arts and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Videos

Neology

neo tunes for an old world

Neology – the act of inventing a word or phrase / The use of an established word in a new and different sense.

MASSIVE launched their debut album Neology – neo tunes for an old world on 21st September 2012 at The Evelyn Hotel to a packed MASSIVE hungry crowd.

Press

“I was listening to voices, looking at faces, watching bodies mastering instruments and thinking, I didn’t know these worlds existed, I didn’t know these possibilities were here, in my city. That’s joy, that’s astonishment.” - Christos Tsiolkas, ARTERY

“Powerful, energetic, and uplifting all at once. Reminiscent of an American streetdance movie, but with tonnes more power and integrity, and zero lameness” - The LP Review

“We predict that as individuals and as a group.... they’re ones to watch. Check them out early and be at the beginning of something massive” - TimeOut, Melbourne

Mele Napaa of MASSIVE Hip Hop Choir #088 Melbourne’s top 100 most influential, inspirational, provocative and creative people for 2011 “Mele Napaa, whose mellifluous voices calls to mind R&B hip-hop singer Lauryn Hill, says the thing she enjoyed most this year was MASSIVE’s weekly rehearsals at Barkly Arts Centre n Footscray and “everybody being together” - The Melbourne Magazine