What Ivan Ooze Thinks About People Saying His Rapping Style Is UnAustralian

"I've just always rapped like this, it's not a voice I put on, it's just my voice when it's in a high pitch," explains Ivan Ooze, aka Ben Townsend, whose vocals come off seemingly American in accent, rubbing some of the local scene's hard heads the wrong way.

"I grew up on American hip hop during my upbringing and I hadn't even heard an Australian hip hop artist until I was about 15. I do use some American slang but that's just me. People definitely do say, 'Your voice is wack, you're not Aussie hip-hop', but why the fuck do I care? I do this for myself and my fans, not to please them because they don't like it. Shut the fuck up!"

Townsend dropped into the scene and into a new wave of hip hop in 2014. In less than 12 months he has released his Ringwood Rich EP as well as acclaimed mixtape The Social Alien — a fully-automatic, high pitched lyrical assault that went viral across Australia — and most recently new single, Fire. It’s a track miles away from the style he delivered on previous big hit Jimi Hendrix. So, finding his niche is achieved by not creating a niche.

"I do this for myself and my fans, not to please them because they don't like it. Shut the fuck up!"

"I just like being versatile and like to keep people guessing instead of producing the same shit over and over again. It's also a lot more fun that way too, never a dull moment."

He has performed with Allday, Illy and The Thundamentals with whom he also shares no distinct style. "Yeah I guess so," agrees Townsend, to a degree. "But, everyone has their own certain style — that's what makes them stand out in the Australian scene. My style is a product of a lot of aggression though so I try and turn it into constructive energy in a way. Rapping is basically my release."

Quickly becoming regarded as one of the hardest working musicians in the scene, Townsend has matched his eclectic output with an equally astounding gig schedule; recently performing 45 shows straight with hip hop's favourite storyteller Seth Sentry. As hectic as it was on his health, he insists the time was memorable.

"It was actually the best time, man. There were so many crazy moments that I'll never forget," he laughs. "But it definitely takes it toll performing every night health-wise. It was all worth it though, one of the best experiences of my life. Thanks Seth!"

Along with Sentry Townsend has been billed with legends Ice Cube and Cypress Hill, even Azealia Banks, all of whom he declares taught him how to present himself on stage and harness his audience.

"Especially watching the way Cypress and Cube control a crowd, as someone who is really energetic on stage and jumping around using the entire floor space, I learnt so much from those two tours and I feel it bettered me as an artist and as a person."