Kerser Responds To 'Mistake' Accusation

23 April 2015 | 3:35 pm | Staff Writer

Management of Aussie rapper release statement

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Management of local hip hop star Kerser have today hit back at comments made yesterday by Come Together festival organiser Gary Grant.

In an interview with theMusic.com.au, Grant spoke about why the Sydney festival had been cancelled in 2014 and that he "made a mistake" by putting the 27-year-old rapper on last year's bill. 

In a statement, released exclusively to theMusic, Kerser's management directly addressed the issue: 

"Firstly, it’s with great disappointment that promoter Gary Grant chose to isolate a single artist, Kerser, in relation to the cancellation of Come Together 2014. In our experience, there were many contributing factors to the early closure of this event including lack of top tier support acts. Kerser (and Funkoars) were seemingly holding up the line-up while 2013 boasted the likes of Drapth, Illy, The Herd, Dialectrix, Spit Syndicate and Allday.

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"Secondly, there was a general assumption that ticket sales would primarily be accumulated via Kerser’s social networks. Artist and management promoted across networks beyond expectations, however the promoter was also instructed to adjust their own marketing campaigns to reflect a fan base that relies heavily on digital communication. It fell on deaf ears."

Kerser's management also addressed comments Grant made about their artist's fans: "Thirdly, 'Kerser fans hate everyone and all the other fans hate Kerser' is a gross generalisation and misrepresentation of Kerser’s fan base. Not only is it ignorant but also inaccurate. While we have an abundance of loyal fans, a large portion of Kerser’s fan base freely expresses their adoration toward other MC’s, including Illy, Bliss N Eso, Thundamentals and the Hilltop Hoods. And vice versa.

"Fourthly, during this same period Kerser performed nationally to huge crowds at Big Day Out, Good Life Festival as well as his own sold out national tour, sharing the stage with revered Australian MC’s and international acts including Macklemore and Rudimental. At Breath of Life Festival, Kerser shared the (same) stage with 360, Illy, Seth Sentry, Bliss N Eso and there were no issues with crowd attendance, fan rivalry or any other such matter. The feedback from all promoters in regards to Kerser’s participation at these events was nothing short of positive."

The statement concluded: "It goes without saying that to blame the artist/s for the demise of a festival or event is unprofessional and lazy, and while we understand that in the past Kerser has been an easy target, it is disappointing to see it happen again (and an entire year after the event was cancelled no less).

"We wish Gary Grant and his team nothing but the best for their future endeavours and the resurrection of Come Together. Given the current music climate and the overall demise of music festivals, we believe that in times such as these, there should only be mutual support; not scapegoating."