Delayed Vaccine Rollout Means Missed Opportunities For Aussie Breakout Star

To say Sydney rapper Masked Wolf is having a moment right now would be an understatement.

The Aussie talent is blowing up globally off the back of hit single Astronaut In The Ocean, with huge interest in the US where the track is currently sitting at #8 on the Billboard chart (it’s also hit #1 in six countries and has racked up over half a billion streams to date).

After recently appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and this week enlisting US rappers G-Eazy and DDG to remix Astronaut In The Ocean, time is of the essence when it comes to capitalising on the hype.

But Australia’s bungled vaccine rollout means he’s unable to get to the States in a timely manner and make the most of what’s happening around the track.

“If Masked Wolf had the vaccine, he’d probably be overseas right now doing shows,” Masked Wolf’s manager Jae Butt of Lucky Ent said.

Speaking with The Music for a two-part special report on international artists trying to return to the US, Butt said it’s an “annoying” situation to be in. 

“You’re missing out on opportunities, especially for Wolf, who is having a real moment right now where he’s got a track that’s one of the biggest in the world,” Butt said.

“It’s frustrating to not be able to go overseas, and you know, it’s not even a show thing, he could be overseas just doing promo, which is something he’s having to do from home in Sydney now instead.

“We’re hoping to have him overseas by August, but who knows, we need some concrete information on the vaccine.”

You can read The Music’s full report on the current issues facing local acts returning to the US here.