Our good friend DIOLA is curating this dope free live music showcase as part of Powerhouse Late series next Thursday featuring LADI6 & A.GIRL along with DJ support from DIOLA, KIMINZA, KRISTELLE, MARTY & EDSEVEN.

Info at https://www.facebook.com/events/745882296886322/

We are excited to announce DIOLA presents “Thinking About You Vol.2” as part of the Powerhouse Late program on Thursday 9th of March! This extraordinary show will feature New Zealand’s iconic experimental soul outfit LADI6 and the remarkable Western Sydney emerging artist A.GIRL – both with their live bands delivering an unforgettable night of world-class musicianship!

After an 8-year hiatus, LADI6 is bringing their genre-bending energy back to Sydney. This is a triumphant occasion for not only the Polynesian community who’ve been fervently looking forward to their return but also all hip-hop and boundary-pushing soul community in Australia! The music scene has evolved over time with A.GIRL steering the charge.

Gemma Navarrete is a Chilean x Italian singer-songstress hailing from Western Sydney. She is known for her concise, poetic lyricism and RnB/pop-infused tunes that reflect the clunky transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Drawing inspiration from Kali Uchis , Ariana Grande , and Omar Apollo, the songstress intends to create a refreshingly new sound that evokes a sense of nostalgia and youth.

Forget radio play versions of their songs. It’s the extended EXTENDED edit. One night only. Bring your Familia/Aiga/Kāinga/Whānau.

Local selectors Hina Haze, Kiminza, Marty, Kristelle and Edseven B2B DIOLA unleash a captivating mix of electronic soul, r&b, hip hop, amapiano, afrobeats, jazzy broken beats and house music throughout the night.

“Thinking About You Vol.2” is back with a new mindset and stories of new beginnings. This edition is all about letting go of what was and standing strong in honouring what is meant for you. What does this mean? Stories to be revealed soon by a series of artists sharing their definitions of honour, courage, love and more…

FREE ENTRY
500 Harris Street, Ultimo
5pm – 9pm

This event is happening on Gadigal Land and we pay our respects to the traditional custodians both past, present and emerging. Always Was Always Will Be Aboriginal Land.

HOUSEKEEPING:
ALL Are Welcome! Disability access available should patrons need it. Please contact the Powerhouse Museum for specific accessibility needs.

PH: (02) 9217 – 0111

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LADI6
As a vocalist, MC and truth-teller, the consistent evolution of Ladi6 has firmly cemented her as New Zealand’s undisputed Queen of Hip-hop/Soul and R&B.

Taking shape in different forms over the years, Ladi6 today is the group project of vocalist Ladi and a trio of accomplished Kiwi producers including her husband, Parks.

Born and raised in Christchurch, it was a year-long family move to Tanzania that awoke Ladi’s songwriting and calling to perform. This led to the formation of her first group, the all-female Sheelahroc meaning “Women Are The Strength”, created with the aim to serve as an example for women in the traditionally male-dominated world of Hip-Hop. Short-lived but truly incandescent, the group were pioneers in NZ music, with up to 8 members – all of different nationalities – at their peak.

With sold out tours and supports including international acts The Roots , De La Soul and 50cent, a new direction with a desire to explore more experimental production and storytelling began to unfold and is the now household name that is LADI6.

The band released Time Is Not Much , the debut album co-produced by Mu ( Fat Freddy’s Drop ), which introduced a series of future soul classics to the NZ vernacular, hit a Top 5 chart position and led to them being picked up by leading London indie BBE. Their follow-up LP, The Liberation Of… was released in 2010, co-produced with Blumentopf’s Sebastian Weiss, bringing to life the platinum-selling single and certified NZ classic “ Like Water ”.

In 2013, Ladi and Parks decamped to Detroit’s Studio A, where they collaborated with Detroit Hip-Hop royalty, Waajeed , who joined Executive Producer Parks at the helm on LP, Automatic , with lead single “ Ikarus ” confirming beyond doubt, the versatility of Ladi6 and their un-willingness to rest on what could otherwise be considered rather impressive laurels.

Maintaining standards that demand they push their creativity led to the birth of 2015’s Alpha Sessions ; re-imagining the studio in a live context, and then fully improvising the performance without any kind of sonic safety net. For Ladi6 it has become a vital component in the songwriting process, clearly transporting them to their creative boundaries and beyond, which is evident on 2017’s Royal Blue 3000 EP with disruptive delights like ” Guru “, and ” Royal Blue “.

With a catalogue that marks a woman whose only comfortable taking risks, the inspiring live show that Ladi6 brings is no exception to this rule. Taking the stage with a decade of world touring under her belt, her ability to connect and uplift her audience is where she thrives as a frontwoman. Following tours across NZ, Australia and Europe with the likes of Erykah Badu, Jhene Aiko, Digable Planets and Fat Freddys Drop, it was supporting Gil Scott-Heron on his final UK and European tour prior to his passing – taking the stage before him at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall – that stands as a career highlight.

Signing to Australia’s Soul Has No Tempo for management, the formidable domination of Ladi6 continues.

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A.GIRL

From the underground Hip hop/RnB scene of Western Sydney A.GIRL has emerged into national recognition with a swag of raw talent, attention-grabbing moments of musical brilliance and a sing-rap style uniquely hers. Raised in Australia, A.GIRL also proudly owns her Maori heritage.

A.GIRL is the family nickname given to this 22-year-old artist – real name Hinenuiterangi Tairua. After the release of just three tracks she was the Winner of Next Big Thing at the FBi Awards, winner of triple j Unearthed’s festival slot at Listen Out, was tipped as a rising star by UK’s Wonderland Mag and listed as “one to watch” by Ticketmaster.

A.GIRL’s sound is rooted in r&b and soul but more recently she has flexed her rap skills with acclaimed feature performances on triple j’s LIKE A VERSION, triple j’s Bars Of Steel, and Red Bull 64 Bars which solidified herself as an MC with a unifying message ripe for the age we live in – celebrating cultural, racial & gender diversity with outspoken inclusion.

Late last year, A.GIRL dropped a track with a drill-flavoured sound, ‘We Them Boyz’ featuring Jaecy and she featured on a west-coast Cali track ‘Ride or Die’ with Sydney Yungins. Her latest release ‘Getting Older’ keeps her iconic R&B flow with a sing style rap uniquely hers. The crisp, upbeat track has you winding down your car windows, turning up the bass and feeling those nostalgic vibes. The track received playlisting and radio programing support and added to rotation on triple j and CADA.

A.GIRL featured on triple j’ LIKE A VERSION early March and was tipped by host Ebony Boadu as her “favourite Like A Version ever!” A.GIRL is also proving to be a favourite on Australia’s live hip hop circuit that is emerging from lockdown: on tour with Aussie grime icon Chillinit on his SOLD OUT national tour; supported the billion-streaming break-out rapper Masked Wolf; was the only artist hand- picked by Baz Lurhmann to perform at the ELVIS premiere afterparty for Vogue Australia; and SOLD OUT her very own headline show at Sydney Opera House on May 29th as part of VIVID Festival.

Big things ahead for this gifted superstar.

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GEMMA NAVARRETE

Gemma Navarrete is a Chilean x Italian singer-songstress hailing from Western Sydney. She is known for her concise, poetic lyricism and RnB/pop-infused tunes that reflect the clunky transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Drawing inspiration from Kali Uchis , Ariana Grande , and Omar Apollo, the songstress intends to create a refreshingly new sound that evokes a sense of nostalgia and youth.