Meet The Musos: Get To Know Melbourne Rapper Slippy Mane

Last month, Naarm/Melbourne rapper Slippy Mane returned with his latest track WAR, giving us the first glimpse of his upcoming album, The Bright Side of Pain, set for release later this year.

It comes following the release of his non-album track of the same name, marking his first project release since 2020's Halo Made of Chain-Link EP.

Produced by experimental Melbourne rapper and producer Simo Soo, WAR is a high-octane mix of club music and hip hop, featuring a rapid-fire rap flow and a beat that defies the conventions of both genres. Slippy Mane's confident and commanding delivery shines through, making for a, to be frank, huge banger of a track.

Since the release of his Lalić-produced debut album The Devil Wears Dada, Slippy Mane has continued to innovate and evolve his sound and WAR is living proof of that. 

According to Slippy, The Bright Side of Pain is set to be an ode to love and loss and according to the artist himself, is the “best love album outta Melbourne, period”. 

The project is a testament to Slippy and Simo Soo's unique creative chemistry and mutual encouragement to continue pushing their art to new weird and wonderful places.

In celebration of his latest single and his forthcoming album, we chat with Slippy Mane to suss out everything you need to know about the rapper.

Give us the story behind your name?

Originally it was ‘Spooky Mane: The Unholy Ghost’ LOL, as to why, I have no idea was just trying to come up with something cool/funny. 

As time went on and I started actually recording music I cut it down to just ‘Slippy Mane’, thought it had a nice ring to it. I still really like the title of ‘The Unholy Ghost’ for something though and might use it for something further down the line… so don't take it!!!

If your music was a flavour, what would it taste like?

Vanilla Up & Go straight up. Energises you, good food substitute if you’re broke and in a rush, easy to rack, just really accessible and always there for you. 

Or really any of the great range of flavours at the Up & Go factory (or the Aldi substitute ‘Quick 2 Go’, which is lowkey better).   

Who are some of your biggest musical influences and how have they impacted your own sound and style?

Realistically, probably My Chemical Romance and Gorillaz LOL maybe even Radiohead a little.

MCR: For fascinating me with performance when I was a little teenage emo.

Gorillaz: For constantly (at least in their early catalogue) creating weird uncategorisable albums, that sounded like nothing you’d really heard before.

Radiohead: For making me want to make arty music with a purpose.

In terms of hip-hop, I’m inspired by people like Earl Sweatshirt and Tyler, The Creator and I guess just whoever makes weird vulnerable rap music.

What’s been the biggest moment in your career so far?

The one that felt the most special was for the launch of my Halo Made of Chain-Link project back in 2021, just because it was the first time I’d properly sold out a venue for my own show and had strangers waiting out the front for door spots. 

Idk, I just worked really hard to write that album and to play good shows and so to see that it was resonating with people and that people wanted to see it made me feel really good. 

That wasn’t the night that I played to my biggest crowd but was the night that felt the most special. I played a really good show that night too.

What's the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you've drawn from when writing a song?

When writing sad songs I like to go through old letters I’ve been given, or read through old messages with people I don’t really talk to anymore and make myself remember how they made me feel. 

I feel like it really helps me reach an authentic vulnerable honesty in my songwriting, feels pretty s**t though. 

Can you share a hilarious or cringe-worthy moment from your early days as an artist?

Yes lol, when the f**king venue people had no idea what my name was and put me down as ‘Silly Mane’ on the board, fml. 

But funny cringe-worthy s**t happens all the time, just the other week I was playing a show and literally at the climax of my closing song the entire beat just cut out and we couldn’t figure out why. I’d fully like jumped down into the crowd too LOL. Idk it’s just funny, who cares.

What are the top three tracks or artists you’re vibing on rn?

Umm the top three tracks I’ve been obsessed with this year are:

Me Porto Bonito - Bad Bunny

Shirt - Sza

Who’s Gonna Save My Soul - Gnarls Barkley

Also been really into Gangsta Boo by Ice Spice and Lil Tjay.

What’s something that fans not might know about you?

It would be incredibly unlikely that you would be able to beat me at Mario Kart 8, and I’m not even saying that with any feelings attached to it, it would just be very very surprising. My friend code is: SW-6077-2366-2611, add me!

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Oh god idk, maybe like Demon Days by Gorillaz but I’d never listen to it, not even once and just try to remember what it sounded like for the rest of my life and then listen to it on my deathbed and see if I did good at remembering.

What's in the works for you in 2023?

I’m releasing the best love album that's ever come out of Melbourne!!! The Bright Side of Pain produced entirely by Simo Soo, 16 songs, and 1 potent love story. 

It has highs and lows, will make you laugh and cry and will forever be there for you when you’re going through any of the nuances of the human experience of love. I can’t wait to show you! 

My debut single from the album WAR is out now on all streaming platforms and will have a video out soon too. Bye! xxxxx