Live Review: REMI, Man Made Mountain, HAU

HAU (aka Hau Latukefu) effortlessly draws a bopping crowd. No stranger to the hip hop scene, Latukefu's audience hang on every word as renditions from his The No End Theory album cloak the room in a distinctively charismatic sound, so creatively represented by record label House Of Beige. Confident in his linguistics, Latukefu dedicates single Skip Hop "to those ignorant to what Australian hip hop is". A collaboration with fellow HOB artist N'fa Jones leaves us damn sure we know what Australian hip hop is about.

Man Made Mountain walk on stage like they're the headline act. As main support for AMP-winning Remi and following a triple j host in Latukefu, Man Made Mountain have some shoes to fill. Cazeaux OZLO's authenticity in Pot Liquor Brew, however, suggests the duo are seasoned vets in the game. We hear soul and feel hip hop. "We're no longer in Melbourne; we've left it all behind and feeling the love in Brazil." Single Cachaca has the room vibing, hips are swaying and the love-drunk crowd cheer like this fiesta will never end. Billy Hoyle reminds us what jazz does for hip hop with flawless saxophone. The man DJs, scratches and hits backing vocals all at once. One hand thumping in the air we didn't even know we'd climbed the mountain, but we're loving the view.

Smoke weaves its way through a blue and purple lighting wash during REMI's opening track DAD. Remi Kolawole demonstrates a persona that's oblivious to the definition of nervous. An incredible feat considering new album Divas And Demons is riddled with honest self-explorative insecurity. By Kolawole's side, Sensible J is so evidently a binate part of this act. J's live drumming complements a smooth-moving Remi and, as soon as the guitar begins in For Good, we're reminded just why Australian hip hop has a new voice. Silent J joins Remi for Contact Hi/High/I (ironic in title given the room's current atmosphere) while Kolawole assures us Lose Sleep "wasn't about police brutality, but about racism from a coloured experience". Substance Therapy erupts; the crescendo of the night as strobes highlight hands thrown up like "...rude girls from How I Met Your Mother". So complex in his creativity, the track ends with Kolawole proposing, "Y'all connected 'cause you had a bullshit year too?" Finally, N'fa Jones, Cazeaux OSLO and Latukefu join REMI for a freestyle jam. The combination is sublime: Jones's flow, Cazeaux OSLO's voice, Kolawole's attitude and Latukefu's honesty - fans are torn between dancing and yelling their support.

Tonight we're treated to REMI's latest album live in its entirety. Diva or demon, the room clearly can't get enough of Melbourne's own REMI.