We are honoured to announce we will be playing at MADE IN REDFERN showcase at 107 PROJECTS warehouse/gallery space on Saturday as part of the REDFERN STREET FESTIVAL on Sat 11 March for this free family-friendly street-wide festival
Music by DJ JOHNNY BONES & a feature show by JAH TUNG & positive party vibes by DANCEKOOL fam.
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.
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.
Back in 2009 we connected with JAH TUNG when we were putting together a mixtape with Sydney-based music, he sent us some music he was working on which we have had on heavy rotation since. We connected again a few years later at gigs & slowly watched him grow in his craft as a musician & artist making dope home-grown Reggae & Roots based music.
It has been great to hear his new musical projects like this one, this is a hot new release from his new album. DIGITAL DEGENERATION released this week & the lead single from his new album will be out later this year.
“Digital Degeneration, was born from my realisation that, rather than running from the digital sound I was limited to, by means of my recording equipment and software, I should embrace the abilities of the digital tools and simply balance it with a few analogue recordings and samples where necessary. The title track, Digital Degeneration, is a commentary on a society moving towards an unnatural, dystopian future, […covering creation with dem synthetic imitation].”
Digital Degeneration lyrics: VERSE 1: Sometimes this world don’t seem real, more like a simulation It’s not a stage show, but it’s always on screen Everyone’s too scared to feel, they just want stimulation To me it’s a nightmare, but to you it’s a dream
CHORUS: New innovation Raising a digital degeneration Covering creation With dem synthetic imitation World domination Look at this digital degeneration Is this the age of information Or android infiltration?
VERSE 2: The battle is technologic, we enemy don’t possess sentience Make-no-sense, nor take-no-logic, artificial intelligence See now, dem a move with negligence No reverence, no remembrance It’s a remote control which manipulates and commands dem temperament Social media Hashtag #LIES Every element of we life is monopolized Fibonacci and phi Much stronger than Wi-Fi A could a weh dem go do or try That sacred geometry can’t die
CHORUS: New innovation Raising a digital degeneration Covering creation With dem synthetic imitation World domination Look at this digital degeneration Modern day communication Can’t change where we came from
VERSE 3: Feel like me living in a cartoon world, everybody think things perfect Gwaan like it all make sense, I man confused and perplexed Cell mates with cell phones, imprisoned in perspex A life without connection is worthless Progress is great but balance much greater Look how dem prostitute dem own Mother Nature So while you occupied stacking your paper I man is banking seeds so me can plant dem later
CHORUS: New innovation Raising a digital degeneration Covering creation With dem synthetic imitation World domination Look at this digital degeneration Is this the age of information Or cyborg infiltration?
DJ MEEM doing it large at SOUL OF SYDNEY NYD JAM featuring a special came guest spot by our brother JAH TUNG around 40 mins in to help celebrate the start of 2023.
60 mins + of FUNK, SOUL< DISCO & some REGGAE VIBES.
About MEEM: DJ Meem is a respected DJ from Sydney, Australia. With a mammoth music collection, Meems musical tastes are nothing short of diverse. His interest in all genres of music makes for dynamic and broad-reaching DJ sets. A love of Funk music (in all its forms) is the backbone of many DJ sets, although aside from Funk you may also hear Soul, Disco, Boogie, Hip Hop, Beats, Reggae, Rock, African, Jazz, Calypso, Tropical, Ska, Rhythm n Blues, Swing, Jump Blues & Re-edits. In short Meem weaves ingenious DJ sets that span from incredible vintage music through to new release Hip Hop and Beats. His sets are praised for diversity, flow and fun. Meem has a genuine approach to playing the music he loves.
Meem has DJ’d widely across Australia and has held numerous Sydney residencies, some of which include The Opera Bar, Newtown Hotel, Tokyo Sing Song, Miss Peaches, The Vic On The Park, Ching-a-lings, The Bearded Tit, The Loft, Tonic Lounge, Marble Bar and The Arthouse. For many years he has performed as resident DJ at The Famous Speigeltent as part of The Sydney Festival, and has also supported both Thievery Corporation and Tom Findlay (Groove Armada). Outside of Australia he has DJ’d in European Countries such as Croatia, Hungry and The UK, and has also played in the US in both San Fran and L.A.
Man this immensely talented dude doesn’t get enough props if you ask us, we’ve been fans of Dom Diaz for years & every now and then we get a sweet reminder of just how dope he is & how mad some of our home-grown talents is.
Last weekend was one of those moments, we made a very rare trim to Cronulla for Sunday breakfast & a swim. On the stroll back from the beach we heard the sweet sound of trumpets by the water only to find DOM DIAZ doing a live loop pedal set outside in the courtyard of NEXT DOOR bar/restaurant overlooking the water. We were lucky enough to catch up with Dom up close doing a solo live set reworking all kinds of Soul & R&B joints & some of his original songs looping everything beat-box, trumpet, guitar, singing & laying down some freestyle raps.
If you are ever in the area be sure to check the place out, especially when they have some live stuff. No doubt their booker knows what’s up.
Dom Diaz is an explosive wave of upbeat Reggae and Latin rhythms, doused in thick Funk syrup that’s sole purpose is to make you move and be moved. His performance style and infectious vibe engage the audience to kindle their inner animal, forget their inhibitions and completely let go. Concerned only with providing a musical journey for everyone, Dom Diaz has navigated to a specific progressive sound – a potent hybrid of psychedelia, deep dub and feel-good Hip-Hop. It’s a sound that urges to be heard live with elements of electronica and organic roots to induce you into a trance and fuel your inner creative fire. Trumpet in hand Dom Diaz and his multi-instrumental compadres will command space and time and bring unlimited energy to the stage.
Sydney is getter a heavy dose of DISCO legends this month, we just heard that our good friends at GROOVE SCOOTER & ELECTRONIC MUSIC LIFE are hosting pioneering NYC DJ NICKY SIANO at a free gig this Saturday night at TIVA (68 King St Sydney CBD) with local support from BOOGIE MONSTER, JAMES LOCKSMITH, PARIS GROOVE SCOOTER & more.
We still have some very fond memories of seeing him at a SHE PARTY many years ago playing a very special NYE Disco set to bring in the new year over 10 years ago.
We will be down there enjoying the music, taking DJ notes & having a boogie, we highly recommend this night out for anyone who is into proper disco heat that hardly gets played here. Nicky Siano is one our main DJ influences & he is one of the reasons we are into disco.
As the founder of Manhattan’s legendary club The Gallery and an original resident DJ of the notorious Studio 54 (where he was playing when Bianca Jagger entered on a white horse), Nicky Siano is a bonafide queer disco legend. Together with David Mancuso‘s Loft and Paradise Garage, Nicky Siano’s Gallery was one of the three most influential underground disco clubs in New York during the ’70s. The Gallery is also where Larry Levan and Frankie Knuckles learnt their craft watching and listening to Nicky Siano’s every move in the DJ booth. Sometimes Siano would step outside the DJ booth to put on drag-not-drag performances, channelling everyone from Diana Ross to the Statue Of Liberty. The Gallery was also an important launchpad for future stars, including Grace Jones who made her debut at the club. After The Gallery closed in 1977, Siano turned his hand to producing music, most famously forming Dinosaur – along with a young Arthur Russell – and releasing the groundbreaking Kiss Me Again on Sire Records featuring David Byrne on guitar shortly before Byrne launched the group that would make him a household name, Talking Heads. Later Siano would spend 15 years working in the queer community helping people with AIDS, before returning to his music career where he continued to produce music, DJ around the globe and direct the documentary Nicky Siano: Love Is The Message: A Night At The Gallery which Groovescooter premiered in Sydney back in 2012. Saturday Feb 4th is a rare chance for Sydneysiders to experience the disco / house pioneer for one night only.
We welcome NYC DISCO LEGEND JOHN MORALES (M+M MIxes, BBE Records) to SOUL OF SYDNEY for an afternoon of feel-good FUNK< SOUL, & DISCO goodness on Feb 19 for his final Australia show.
Update 18/2/22 –
SET TIMES
2:00 – 4:00 PM – PHIL TOKE
4:00 – 5:00 – DJ MK1
5:00 – 7:00 – DJ JOHN MORALES
7:00 – CLOSE – SPARE
Hosted by Sam Hunter & SOUL PATROL dancers.
The venue has been emailed to ticket holders (please check your spam, or junk folder, and email us at soulofsydney@gmail.com with your order number if you have not got it).
Note we have SOLD OUT no DOOR SALES on the day (please don’t hassle us on email and socials). There is a WAITING LIST set up, if we do have capacity &/or tix an email will be sent to people on that.
Join us and get down to an afternoon of feel-good FUNK, SOUL & a heavy dose of DISCO goodness hosted by one of the undisputed disco dons who brings a lifetime of musical knowledge.
— SOUL OF SYDNEY ★ Feat. NYC Disco legend ★ John Morales ★ (M+M Mix Productions, BBE Records)
Sun Feb 19 | 2pm – 8:30 pm
Venue / 18+ Fully Licensed Party Space | Strictly for the LOVE
Happening at a secret DISCO DANCE-FLOOR which will be emailed to ticket holders the day before the event.
About ★ JOHN MORALES /
We take remixes for granted these days, but in the ’70s, a handful of DJs and engineers were literally putting the form together with their own hands. The Bronx-born DJ John Morales was one of these early splicers, making extended edits and medleys at a time when he found most tracks too short to work well in his sets. Cutting his teeth at Bob Blank’s Blank Tapes studio and gaining fans like disco über-producer Patrick Adams, Morales embedded himself in New York’s music world, and as the ’70s rolled into the ’80s, Morales grew ever more in-demand for his eminently club-ready tweaks of everyone from Hall & Oates to The Rolling Stones. Along with his partner Sergio Munzibai, he established one of the top remix brands of the era: the M&M mix. Morales spent some time out of the game over the last few decades, but in 2009, BBE released the first of three compilations of M&M mixes, which turned the spotlight back on his considerable contribution to dance music.
– This is a strictly LIMITED CAPACITY throw-down & an INVITE ONLY situation for our SOUL FAMILY & friend, much smaller than previous years, we wanted to take things back and do a more personal party limited.
– Once registered, a PRIVATE TICKET LINK will be EMAILED once tickets become available with all information on how to purchase tickets. Please check SPAM, JUNK & PROMOTION folders in your email client as the invite may be in there. When you get the email you will need to click through & click ‘attending’ and then click through and purchase tickets.
18+ Event | Strictly for the LOVE | Feel-Good Funk & Old School Party Jams
Follow SOUL OF SYDNEY for more info & updates on our next jams, mixes and socials.
We are excited to see the 360 ALLSTARS high-powered show will be in Sydney in a few months & will be hosted by everyone’s favourite hype mc. MIRRAH REFLECTS.
As well as hosting our gigs over the years, MIRRAH is also a part of some amazing musical and creative projects including this dope street-circus show that has been touring the world.
The show has been seen by over 1 million people around the world & sold out everything from BROADWAY, EDINBURGH FINGE FESTIVAL & SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE.
It features everything from BEATBOXING, MC’S, BMX, BREAK DANCE, DRUMMING & more & showcases a stellar cast of World Champion and World Record-holding artists & athletes.
360 ALLSTARS is a spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture. Add to this a stunning live soundtrack delivered by award-winning musicians, coupled with spectacular video projections, 360 ALLSTARS is as aurally exciting as it is visually astounding. A magnificent, colourful & astonishing expression of a generation that has reinvented the circus, 360 ALLSTARS is a revolutionary production that will leave you dizzy with excitement!
Our brother DJ SEB 1 laying down a perfect selection of solar-powered SOUL, RARE GROOVE, R&B vibes to open up a very special afternoon of music that was our secret NYD jam on January the 1st.
Our first NYD jam in a couple of years after a few cancelled gigs.
This guy has become such a dope music selector, setting the mood for us perfectly from speak easy opening warm up to dancefloor within 60 minutes.
Music by Shalamar This is for the lover in you James Ingram & Quincy Jones One Hundred Ways Bobby Caldwell Open Your Eyes Marc Hannibal Forever Is a Long Time Stan Getz Saudede Vem Correndo The Main Ingredient Prove My Love To You Alicia Keys You Don’t Know My Name Mary Jane Girls All Night Long The Brand New Heavies You’ve Got A Friend (Brooklyn Funk R&B Remix) Craig David Rendezvous (Blacksmith R&B Remix) Janet Jackson Together Again (DJ Premier 100 in a 50 Remix) Groove Theory Tell Me (Cut-father & Joe Master Mix) Toni Braxton You’re Making Me High ft. Foxy Brown Babyface This Is For The Lover In You (Jon-John Mix) feat. LL Cool J, Jody Watley, Howard Hewett & Jeffrey Daniels Lalah Hathaway Let Me Love You Bounce Club Mix ft Freckles Mary J Blige Real Love Hiphop remix SWV Right Here (Demolition Dub) LSG Curious Frankie Beverly and Maze Before I Let Go (Original) Carrie Lucas Show Me Where You’re Coming From (Extended 12” Mix) Whatnauts Help Is On The Way Deni Hines It’s Alright (D-Influence Full Length) Tina Moore Never Gonna Let You Go Bon Garcon If You Need a Man Teena Marie I Need Your Lovin’ Michael Jackson Remember the Time (Shash’u remix) Michael Jackson Rock With You (Maple Syrup EDIT) (Acapella OUT) Michael Jackson Rock With You (Masters At Work Remix) Level 42 Starchild Patrice Rushen Number One (Instrumental) Bamboos Keep Me In Mind Jack & Juke Ain’t Nobody Feat. Sharlene Hector Nate James Give Me The Night
Wherever you are this Christmas we hope you are enjoying it with friends and family, here is a little CHRISTMAS FUNK playlist we put together a few years ago featuring holiday inspired FUNK, SOUL & HIP HOP by the likes of KURTIS BLOW, JAMES BROWN, TLC, SHARON JONES, WYCLEAF JEAN, ALOE BLACC & more.