Earlier this year I read a quote from Kim Gordon following her separation from Thurston Moore: “rap music is really good when you’re traumatised.” It ignited some reflection of my ongoing relationship with rap and how i have reverted to type in 2013 and have done what I did throughout my teenage years and listened almost solely to rap.

Growing up my older brothers and sisters referred to people that listened to rap as “trendies” and referred to themselves as “metallers” and would get into fights with the trendies down the road at the Plaza. Inquiring into what the trendies listened to I was informed they listened to MC Hammer. I remember hiding in the pylon field next to our house so my siblings couldn’t hear me while listened to ‘U Can’t Touch This’ and literally cried because I couldn’t believe how good it sounded and it dawned on me that I in fact must be a trendy.

In saying this, this year hailed the release of the Yeezus album. I was happy that Lou Reed’s last published writing was a glowing review of this album. Ye is a frustrated capitalist anarchist on the verge of a mental collapse.  He is easily one of the most interesting and figurative examples of popular culture today.

On top of this it has been my turkish delight in seeing Freddie Gibbs singlehandedly bring a triumphant and classy return to the fine art of gangsta rap. My favourite rap artist right now.

Anyway, back to reality.com. Here is a formal shout out to some highlights closer to home:

Mob: A magical experience, Mob are like the three witches of Macbeth.
Destiny 3000: Hats off for blazing fab in the 2013.
Oily Boys: Even for a Little Lord Fauntleroy like myself this is truly a performance to behold.
Angie: Because there’s music in the air and lots of loving everywhere so give me the night. Angie’s new songs are powerful, dreamlike and just bloody good tbh.
Lucy Cliche: Check out her Soundcloud if your not already. 24 karat gold. She is like Madonna (Ciccone).
Las Tetas: A mesmerising New Zealand band touring Australia early next year, following that the US and then Europe. Check this out if you like punk by punks for punks. oi fuk your mum oi.

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