Live Review: Seth Sentry

The cavernous, intricate interior of the Forum is absolutely jam-packed with hip hop fans. This gig has sold out, and people are calling out for the man they've come to see. Seth Sentry steps on stage not a moment too soon and is greeted warmly by the crowd. He kicks things off with Float Away, helped out by DJ Sizzle (and, this time around, without the live band he boasted during his previous tour – a nice change, as it lets him show his frontman chops).

Pez jumps up and the two MCs perform their collaboration Ain't Got Time. It's strange, especially for long-time fans of Sentry who no doubt remember when he was merely Pez's support act – in much smaller venues, to boot. The times, they are a-changing. Sentry then revisits some tracks from his old Waiter Minute EP, thrilling the audience with the brutal break-up anthem Train Catcher and the power-packed Strange Lot. It's the infamous Waitress Song that really ignites the crowd, though. Sentry doesn't even need to rap the first verse – the audience have got it down pat.

Australian DMC champion B.Two makes an appearance, scratching up a storm using tracks including the ever-popular Kanye and Jay-Z song Niggas In Paris. Sentry takes advantage of the opportunity for a quick rest before returning with his Like A Version cover of Frenzal Rhomb's Punch In The Face. Singer Ali Barter steps up to help perform Ten Paces, which is followed up by the worst-case-sharehouse-scenario track Room For Rent. The zombie apocalypse track Where Was You (When The Dead Come Walkin') is performed to an enraptured crowd, and then much-loved local MCs Mantra and Jeremedy step up for a spot of freestyling. Last, but certainly not least, it's time for Dear Science, and a desire for real-life hoverboards gets everyone out on stage – supports Tuka, Ellesquire, the various guest MCs and even The Rubens, who help out with singing the chorus. The sold-out crowd goes wild, especially when Sentry brandishes a prop hoverboard (sadly without hovering capabilities). It's been a slow climb, but there's no doubt whatsoever that Seth Sentry is standing on the summit of hip hop success in Australia, and gigs like this are part of the reason why.