Naarm Underground

Presented by PitchR and JOLT Arts

Naarm Underground

 

One Sixth
Tumi The Be
Shynin Armour
King Ru

W/ DJ Kay Z setting the tone

Saturday 2 May
Doors open 7pm
Tickets $25/$30
Buy tickets at the door or here

JOLTED Arts Space
342 High Street Northcote

 

Naarm Underground

This one’s different.
 
No industry polish. No algorithm plays. Just foundation. Just truth.
 
Led by Tumi The Be and One Sixth, certified underground OGs who’ve been building, bleeding, and shaping the sound long before the spotlight caught up.
 
This is raw hip-hop in its purest form. Real stories. Real presence. Real community.
The kind of night that reminds you why this culture exists.
 
No spectators – only participants.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

One Sixth

Australian born, Namibian raised rapper, vocalist, producer, songwriter, workshop facilitator, curator, director, actor, model and performing artist Aaron Stephanus aka 1/6 has been honing his craft since 2005. As a well established member of the local music scene, he has travelled extensively around Australia with numerous groups and bands, including The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, Black Jesus Experience (BJX), the now defunct hip hop band Illzilla and The Four Aces (Mata and Must, Flu) amongst others, while also performing solo material at various festivals and venues countrywide. He was the first recipient of the Hilltop Hoods grant initiative when it went national in 2010 and has been releasing solo material since that same year. His debut album Electronic Mail was released in 2012 with local Hip Hop label Pang Productions and was warmly received, leading to support slots on national tours with Urthboy and Jimblah (Elefant Traks) and the Alliance Tour alongside Nelson Dialect, Maundz, Social Change and more. In 2016 he released an EP produced by Phil Gektor (Crate Cartel) titled Hemicrania, a conceptual piece addressing mental health issues, and Outbox, a 6 track E.P recorded over 7 days featuring interludes that were literally recorded by phone through each featured producer’s voicemail. Stay Nice, 2nd Thought, Royalz, Sensible J (REMI), RBD and 1⁄6 served as producers. His efforts extend past his own endeavours, as he has been working with community organisations such as Multicultural Arts Victoria, running the “Heard Instinct” hip hop program in conjunction with Shingo’s Cafe in Shepparton in 2019 and the “All Pasts Lead To Now” festival in 2020 (partly disrupted by COVID), “The Learn” Hip Hop literacy program run through the Fitzroy Library with Fitzroy Learning Network in 2017, Yarra Youth Services and various schools around Victoria facilitating writing and performing workshops with youth eager to develop their own practice in the field of music composition and song-writing. 2021 saw a return to releasing solo music alongside producer The Silent Titan for a two track E.P Nunc Est Bibendum/ Dreams which was released digitally via Low Key Source. The single Nunc Est Bibendum was launched as an immersive video launch and live performance, curated by One Sixth and featuring the video work of Raphael Recht and photographer and movement director Deepasheni Thirumoothy and exhibited at B- SIDE Gallery, Melbourne in between lockdowns that halted all live events.

Tumi The Be

Tumi the Be is a Motswana poet and rapper who began his creative journey as a teenager, after seeing his first rap cipher. Captivated by the sound syncopated speech over a fat beat, he wrestled a pen to an empty page and turned churning thoughts into rhyming verse. Tumi’s style is a vibrant blend of old school rap and spoken word poetry, steeped in rich musical, spiritual and poetic tradition, Tumi shares abstract ideas, philosophical musings and real life experiences adding to his diverse appeal. Since moving to Melbourne in April 2014 his passion has taken him from hip hop open mic nights (Horse Bazaar, Whole Lotta Love, Killahertz), to poetry slams (Slammalamma Ding Dong, Voices in the Attic, Speak Up), and park ciphers where he has schooled and been schooled by Burn City’s finest. Tumi has been billed as one of Melbourne finest Freestylers.

Shynin Armour

Shynin Armour, a dynamic rapper hailing from South Africa, has taken the vibrant underground hip-hop scene in Melbourne, Australia, by storm. With a journey that spans continents and a passion for music that knows no bounds, Shynin Armour’s presence in the music world is nothing short of a force to be reckoned with.

Born in South Africa, Shynin Armour’s musical journey began in the heart of a diverse and culturally rich environment. Drawing inspiration from life’s experiences, challenges, and triumphs, Shynin Armour’s lyrics reflect a genuine narrative that resonates with fans on a personal level. His rhymes are a testament to the power of storytelling, transporting listeners into his world with each verse.
Having now made Melbourne, Australia, his home, Shynin Armour’s fusion of South African roots and the vibrant hip-hop scene Down Under has created a musical blend that’s both fresh and electrifying. He’s not just an artist; he’s a musical ambassador, bridging cultures through his craft.

Within Melbourne’s underground hip-hop scene, Shynin Armour has quickly become a standout figure. His performances are a whirlwind of energy, captivating audiences with his charismatic stage presence and undeniable talent. His tracks delve into introspective themes, societal observations, and personal growth, resonating with both his South African heritage and his Australian influences.
As he graces stages across Melbourne, Shynin Armour is a living embodiment of the power of music to transcend boundaries. His journey from South Africa to Melbourne is a testament to his dedication and pursuit of artistic excellence. His music has created a bridge between two continents, uniting people through the universal language of hip-hop. With every beat, every rhyme, and every stage he takes, Shynin Armour’s impact on the underground hip-hop scene continues to grow. He’s not just a rapper; he’s a storyteller, a cultural bridge, and a beacon of authenticity in an ever-evolving musical landscape. Keep an ear out for Shynin Armour’s music, because his journey is far from over, and his influence is destined to make waves that stretch far and wide.

https://shyninarmour.com/home

King Ru

King Ru (Ru.CL) a.k.a. Rueben Campbell is a standout force in Reggae, Dancehall and Hip Hop. His high‐energy performances and global reach have shaped a strong, lasting presence in the music world.

He has released multiple solo albums, EPs and collaborations with artists including Gappy Ranks, Elephant Man, YT, JayJayBorn 2 Sing, Kitty Korbin, Chasm, Katalyst, Plutonic Lab, Jess Harlen, Oakley Grenell, Dizz1, Chong Nee, Wayne Lotek, Motley, Damajah, Babalon and the Wolfgramm Sisters.

His two full‐length solo albums were named ‘RRR’ Album of the Week, and his single ‘Just One Shot’ climbed to number 2 on Triple J’s Hottest 100. Tracks such as ‘Let The Music Talk’, ‘Always Loved’ and ‘Gwaan Yout’ have also received strong national and international radio play. His latest project,

‘Riddim N Rhyme’ is set for release in 2026.

Moving easily between Hip Hop, Reggae, Dancehall and Soul/R&B, King Ru carries a wide range of experience across performances and recording.

He has toured widely at major festivals including Good Vibes, Falls Festival, The Big Day Out, Vibes On A Summer’s Day, Groovin’ The Moo, Splendour in the Grass, Sydney Festival, The Woodford Dreaming Festival, Raggamuffin Festival, Jakarta Jazz Festival, Invada Records National Tour and the Black Eyed Peas Monkey Business Tour.

This journey has placed him on stage alongside icons such as Lee Scratch Perry, Mad Professor, Sly & Robbie, Anthony B, Mighty Sparrow, The Wailers, Turbulence, Chronixx, Tarrus Riley, Jurassic 5, The Pharcyde, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Guru, The Game, Mobb Deep, J‐Live, Supernatural, Aloe Blacc, James Brown, Z‐ Trip, DJ Craze, Estelle, John Legend and the Black Eyed Peas.