I haven’t met a nerdy brown girl whose life Princess Nokia hasn’t changed.

5 years ago, fresh outta high school & bored out of my brain, I stumbled across this fierce MC called Princess Nokia. She looked like me, wore baggy clothes like me, rapped about Bart Simpson (I LOVE the Simpsons?) and walked through the streets of her borough with her friends in such a cheeky no fucks given kinda way.

I could write a lot about the song alone – this song gave me confidence to get my tum out (hashtag my little titties and my fat belly), it nods to Missy Elliot’s CLASSIC Can’t Stand The Rain, and even shouts out Blues Clues.

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By the time I had the pleasure of interviewing Mulalo on FBi Radio in 2020, I was already too late.

And if you’re not already across Naarm’s flyest MC & all-round creative Mulalo, she’s about to Left Right Left Right Left Right Left, Shake some ass & WAKE UP JEFF.

This track is just another impressive notch under Mulalo’s heavily diamantéd, effortlessly distressed belt. She’s a sweetie to her core, she does everything her damn self.. and she IS Australia’s Black Future. Purr.

Instagram: @itsmulalo

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Another timeless music video that I still think takes the spot for one of the best music videos in so-called Australia. Debut single of 18YOMAN (who know holds producer credits for Lil Nas X & Kid Cudi.. no biggie).

I remember his friend playing this in the car on a beautiful sunny day on Gadigal Country as we crossed the Harbour Bridge and fliiiipping out. Everything on this, from Mia’s soulful tones, to the vocals & the freaking creative directing for this video - chefs. mf. kiss.

Go follow him. Instagram: @18yoman

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Another woman I absolutely adore.

Mum bought the CD, Love. Angel. Music. Baby., from Sanity to listen to in her red convertible on car rides home from school. With my pigtails flowing in the wind, and her hot pink hair, we were damn well living in our own little bubble of Luxury.

I still love playing out Daw’s ADHD Edit of this track, which you can suss here.

This song is timeless, the sampling of The Isley Brothers is timeless, Gwen is timeless.

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I still have fond memories dancing around the kitchen in nappies with my Dad spinning this song on vinyl. It is, hands down, my favourite song of ALL TIME. My go to karaoke song with Dad, one of the purest emotional expressions in a music video & such a time capsule for the new wave of music coming through in the 1980s.

Lyrics:

Too much, never too much, never too much, never too much.

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When I hang out with my cousins, we’re usually eating Chinese food and playing with the Snapchat face-swap feature. When Melbourne-based cousins Chloe Kaul and Simon Lam hang out, they make amazing music.

Enter, Kllo. The electro-pop duo have produced a smooth electro EP that showcases Chloe’s soft, chilling vocals and Simon’s mastermind production. Calling on their 2-step garage inspirations, the rhythm is intricate and the production is immaculate. Well Worn is definitely the EP to play on your ocean drive this weekend.

Top picks: Bollide & Sense

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A few days after turning 18, I stumbled into a groovy looking Newtown joint, covered in tinsel and glittery decor, and ordered a Grape Calpis drink from the bar. The screen was playing a peculiar Japanese ad on repeat, the walls plastered with photos of Tokyo Sing Song goers past, the couches sticky and made of that seedy-dark-red-leather that screams ‘nightclub’. Baby faced and starry eyed, I hit the dance floor. UK artist BeatSpacek took to the stage.

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I was sitting in a 2 hour Government lecture, eating a peanut butter sandwich and proudly showing my friend, Thomas, the new MuSoc website I’d created. 5 minutes later, as the teacher was explaining representative democracy, the MuSoc Gmail pings:

“Can you please review All Star – Smash Mouth.” A classic trolling from Thomas, the request had me choking on my sandwich crust. I nudged him, closed my laptop, and attempted to concentrate while Smash Mouth whispered in my ear; somebody once told me…

The bizarre request made me think – How had a song from 15 years ago, made famous by the bond between ogre and mule, made such a forceful comeback? As young children, the song was an anthem. It was probably featured on So Fresh Compilation: The Hits of Summer 2001, or the annual Barbie Summer Pool Hits CD. It was definitely also sung by 7 year olds at birthday parties and at the end of term school disco in the hall.

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This week’s album of the week is Drunk by Thundercat. Featuring big guns Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell, this laid back, funky, R&B soul album will get you bopping. So get yo’ boogie on – we’re talking head bopping, step clicks & nose scrunching.

Top pick: Them Changes.

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Spilt the final sip of coffee on your white tee this morning? Crushed by your crush? Sick of the patriarchy? The doctor’s prescribed you medicine, dewy-eyed babes. Prescribe the medication that matches your symptoms and let these ladies sing to you.

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You’d be foolish to say that Blonde was anything close to Channel Orange. Some would even say that Blonde was disappointing; after 4 painstakingly long years, Ocean’s album (released shortly after his visual album ‘Endless’) bled mellow melodies, lazy tones and a surprisingly large dose of electric guitar. But I’d argue that Blonde was anything but disappointing.

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