INTRODUCING: HOODZY
When she was just 17, Hoodzy signed to hip hop legend Hau Latukefu’s label ‘Forever Ever’ and it’s been bangers ever since.
The Gold Coast/ Yugambeh local has cemented a place for herself in the Australian Hip Hop scene. She’s got the quick-witted, confident bars that deluge into her life, sexuality and the world around her.
We got to discuss some of the things that make her one to watch, her inspirations and her career to date!
Interview by SOPHIE EMMETT
Hi Hoodzy, how are you today?
Yo yooo doing great!
So you came into the Australian Hip Hop scene when you were only 16, how did you decide that you were just going to put yourself out there at such a young age?
A year or two before I turned 16 I had dropped out of school so basically I had to find something to do or at least something I was passionate about which was making music, rapping ect. so I didn’t feel as if leaving school wasn’t the right decision for me but don’t worry it was.
Hoodzy Wears, Shoes, CLARKS ORIGINALS
What was your first ever rap about?
I honestly think it was just me flexing about all the things I obviously didn’t have. “ Fake flexing” of course haha.
You’ve had amazing opportunities with some of your first gigs being that of opening at Triple One and Perth’s Listen Out festival in 2019, feels like you were thrown into the deep end early on, what’s been the most exciting part about your career so far?
The deep end has never felt sooo good! At times it did feel kind of scary but really hectic at the same time. I’m so grateful to be given those opportunities so early into my career & I think one of the most exciting parts of it so far was playing at Listen Out Perth, I’ve never been on a stage that big before.
I feel like you’re very confident in who you are and there isn’t much that intimidates you, am I right?
Yeah for sure, I do feel like I have always been pretty confident in myself and what I stand for since young. Having such strong female role models around me definitely would’ve influenced that mindset.
Recently, I saw a list of the top 10 musicians to watch in Australian Hip Hop and you were the only woman to make that list, you’ve got the quick wit and boldness in your bars, however what do you personally think is making you stand out in the scene?
Man that was hectic! I think what makes me stand out in the Aus scene is that I’m always trying to do my own thing and make my own sound. Just being myself and having fun with it!
In your career thus far, have you felt supported by the existing community of predominantly male rappers?
Definitely. There are times where it’s iffy but that’s just what’s gonna happen in a male-dominated community but we keep on moving. I got my team backing me always. We are making changes over here!
It must have felt pretty amazing to have caught the attention of hip hop legend Hau Latukefu and sign onto his label Forever Ever, was it an easy yes?
100% it was wild & still is. Every day I’m buzzed out that I’m working with such respected people in the music scene. Hau & I were working together for a while before I signed to the label so within that time frame there was so much development for me. So in seeing how much he was able to guide me & help me grow into being more confident & believing in my craft, that definitely made the decision super easy for me.
Your first single with the label was The Land and it was about Aussie pride, what are you most proud of as an Australian?
The diversity. We have so so so much more to do as a nation but I’m so proud of how far it’s come.
You're originally from Perth, so what prompted the move to the Gold Coast?
So how that all unfolded, was because my mum had travelled over to the Gold Coast for a volleyball competition & she fell in love with the place so when she got back we packed up our place & we were off.
‘Jumpy’ is your most recent track and you got to collaborate with ‘Iamsolo’ for it, what was that like?
Hectic, that track was written when I was maybe 16 - 17 so being that young and working with solo was madness.
Last year you dropped 3 singles ‘Hardcase’, ‘The Land’ and ‘Jumpy’. What can we expect from you in 2021?
Definitely keep an ear out this year, we gon’ switch it up!
Lastly, what’s the story behind your stage name ‘Hoodzy’?
When I was first coming up, one of my favourite artists was Stormzy. So ultimately I just thought of something similar hahaha.
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SPECIAL THANKS — CLARKS ORIGINALS
TEAM CREDITS
PHOTOGRAPHY — HAZE ALIEU @h86studios
INTERVIEW — SOPHIE EMMETT @sophie.emmett
FASHION STYLIST — ALLY-ROSE @aally.rose
HAIR & MAKEUP — GABBY LAVISH @gabriellelavish_