L-FRESH The LION On Protest, Compassion & Festival Fence-Jumping

It’s such a rewarding feeling to open Facebook and have your newsfeed flooded with Australian musicians achieving great things. New singles and clips, tour announcements, festival line-ups so great that you forgive Oxford dictionary for including words like FOMO…

This week I was absolutely delighted to speak with the lion king himself, Sukhdeep Singh (AKA L-FRESH The LION), who late last month was named as a contributing fellow of YouTube’s Creators For Change program. This is an incredible feat, as only 27 individuals have been selected for the initiative globally. In-between shows of the current Groovin The Moo tour, I asked the MC what being a ‘creator for change’ is all about.

"It’s a global initiative where YouTube are looking for artists to help create positive content addressing issues of hate, xenophobia and extremism," he says. "This year, I’m very grateful to be one of those people that was selected."

If you’re unaware of who L-FRESH is, the Elefant Traks-signed artist has a background in law, is a social activist working with the likes of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, and is a walking example of musicians trying to make the world a better place. Singh doesn’t have any ‘no-go areas’ in discussion; his music and its message confidently narrates a unique perception that clearly resonates with a wide audience, and I wanted to know why this particular project was of personal interest to him.

"Hate, xenophobia and extremism plays out here in Australia," he muses. "It’s relative to the work I’ve been doing my whole life! It feels like a natural extension of what I do. It’s a way for me to learn and develop the skills I need to ensure a positive message is being put across.

"At the moment, it’s like the feelings of division (across multiple sectors globally) are heightened, and tensions continue to rise, so what can we do to break the ice? What can we do to unite communities? What can we do to put one foot forward in creating a society that’s compassionate, welcoming, caring for all people and not just with equality in mind but equity as well? The small part that I play is creating content that hopefully inspires people to want to be positive factors in their own lives."

There’s a number of artists that unapologetically utilise their platform for for social commentary: among others, A.B. Original and fellow label artists Horrorshow — who recently addressed alcoholism in Australia — while Joelistics has been discussing national identity for years. What’s L-FRESH’s passion; what does he feel he wants to focus on?

"Man, I just want to make good music!" he laughs. "I guess, from a social commentary standpoint, hip hop has always played that role and it’s really cracked in what’s being covered by the media. So for me, it’s an inevitable part of who I am. I’m always going to be passionate and address issues close to my heart: community, harmony, cohesion, tension, struggle of those from migrant communities — but also their successes. I’m passionate about who I am and where I’m from. Those are things that are going to come across."

On Australia Day this year, L-FRESH played a Hottest 100 set at Parramatta Park, where he conducted an onstage protest in act of solidarity with the traditional landowners. This was done in the unique way of performing ‘the act of listening.’ The MC created a call-to-action for his audience, encouraging people to think about the day and the event, and, better yet, actually asked the audience, “How would changing the date of Australia Day and the Hottest 100 actually affect you?”

"It was very conscious on my part that I wasn’t trying to attract attention; the people that were there got to actually experience what the message meant," he explains of the protest. "The fact that it didn’t get attention was a success because, in an ideal situation, Indigenous voices are at the forefront of that conversation every day, and that’s where the focus needs to be. I didn’t want it to take up space of where the focus should be... it served purely as an act of personal listening, of personal reflection in terms of trying to acknowledge and better understand my position in this conversation, around the conversation of justice for Indigenous people. 

"I hope that people could reflect on the role that we all play on that given day but, moreover, a conversation about the role we all play 24/7, 365, when it comes to justice for Indigenous people in Australia."

L-FRESH says he thinks this continued misunderstanding of Indigenous rights (and, let’s be honest, racism) is a result of a sustained and "wilful 'turning of the head to Australia's dark history … and how it's impacted Indigenous people".

"For example, only this year were Indigenous people acknowledged in Anzac Day... it means that we haven’t even got to the starting point of addressing contemporary issues in a way that encourages the healing of this nation," he laments. "We need to actively listen to Indigenous peoples, and not from a place of judgment, but from a place where we can learn.

"A huge section of my community, which is a migrant community, doesn’t think about it. It doesn’t affect them and they have their own issues to struggle with... but everyone is enjoying the labours of previous generations who sacrificed shitloads for us to be who we want to be. It requires a level of effort of actually wanting to learn."

Clearly, a lot of Australians relate to the content in Singh's music, which is a beautiful thing as it so creatively explores artistic expression and his experiences. Conversely, it’s somewhat concerning that such a huge audience understands being racially vilified or feeling isolated within their own community. Where Singh has found hip hop to overcome these issues, I don’t imagine it was easy nor provides all the answers. Is there advice we can offer to people relating to such hardships?

"It doesn’t matter your culture, the colour of your skin, the religion you practice or the gender to which you do (or don’t) identify, we all have a want to belong... to be a part of community," he considers. "Just be engaged with what you’re passionate about. Even if it’s the smallest hobby, if there’s something you love to do, find a community that does that stuff. It’s such a beautiful experience to connect with people that are as passionate about something as you are.

I’m not sure if you’ve got the same FOMO I mentioned earlier but Groovin The Moo’s line-up this year is as impressive as ever. I tried to get the lowdown on who L’s been partying with and what CD is getting far too much rotation on the road-trips in-between...

"Man, in-between, I’m just trying to rest!" he says. "The transit and schedule is so hectic, I have to! But, man, they’re all fam. Thundamentals are such fun dudes to hang with, Tash Sultana is awesome to chat to, then there’s Montaigne... ah, so many! MZ Rizk is really good fun and features a bit on my tour diary. Connecting with UK’s Loyle Carner, they’re dope and it’s cool seeing how the crowd responds to them."

That's not just platitude; L-FRESH says, should the opportunity arise, he'd definitely be keen to get Carner to hop on a track or otherwise work together with him on some music.

"Ey, put that shit down," he enthuses at the suggestion of a team-up. "Let’s put it out. Hopefully, the universe will make it happen!”

So, Loyle, straight from the lion’s mouth, pRhymeTime is hooking you up with a collab with L-FRESH The LION. You’re welcome.

It hasn’t all been good news, though. I questioned Singh about a Facebook event group that now has thousands of followers promising "an army to rush the gates" of the Canberra leg. Man, I’m immature at times too, but what?! You know what happens then? They shut it down. Everyone loses, from the organisers to the artists, the fans, and the health and safety of everyone involved. I don’t want to perpetuate or endorse this — but is there a message we can send to stop this?

“Well, man, let’s think about the core of the motivation," L-FRESH offers. "If people are upset they missed tickets, then how do we bring more live music to Canberra? There’s a component of immaturity, sure, but if the frustration is missing out on live music, let’s change that. Canberra is such a growing space for culture, music and art; let’s get more happening there that young people can access. You want more shows? Guess what: we want to play more shows; let's do this!”

I know I can’t ask much more of L-FRESH. Between the GTM tour and the Creators For Change campaign, we’re hungry for more music; is there some on the way?

"Man, I’m not sleeping," he teases. "I’m bubbling over, in fact! There’ll be more; when the time is right, you’ll know, trust me."

Groovin The Moo continues in Bendigo (6 May) and Canberra (7 May) this weekend, wrapping up in Bunbury, WA, next weekend (13 May).

It's a brilliant festival, kids. Please don’t ruin it for everyone.