Premiere: Drapht links up with Complete and Eli Greeneyes for new single, Problem Here

It's difficult to encapsulate the importance and strengths of Drapht in just a few short sentences. Over the past two decades, that rapper has become a pioneer of West Australian hip-hop and its ever-changing sound, both through the work he's done himself - six solo albums now, with a seventh due later this year (more on that in a second) - and the work he's inspired out of others; the musician being someone constantly uplifting and supporting hip-hop's next generation here in Perth, from names yet to release debut singles right through to those on the cusp of a breakthrough just like Drapht was once upon a time.

A co-sign or a leg-up is something that can go a long way, and Drapht is a source of that for many in Western Australia, irregardless of genre or background. For example, take a look at Claudio and Indoor Fins - two vastly different projects from two entirely separate niches of Perth's live music scene, brought together on Drapht's Arabella Street record in 2018. Or for another example, take a look at Compete - someone becoming a true weapon to Perth rap himself - who toured regional Western Australia shortly following lockdown's end last year, on support for Drapht.

It's something that's obviously close to Drapht, and in turn, it's something that makes his new single Problem Here so remarkably special. Premiering on Pilerats today ahead of its full release tomorrow, August 4th, Problem Here doesn't just capture a newfound peak for Drapht two decades into his career, but also gives others to showcase their own peaks, more specifically that of the aforementioned Complete and rising one-to-watch Eli Greeneyes, who both feature on the track.

The end result is this twisting and reflective tune that captures the strengths of Western Australia's musical past, present and future. Drapht is on his A-game as ever, introspective and inwards-looking through his quite dark and solemn lyricism - which we'll let him talk about more in a second - while Complete and Eli Greeneyes add their own touches to the single; the former through a high-octane verse, while the latter adds his touch via the single's production and a rich, R&B-intertwined vocal that brings everything together.

Born in the midst of stress, Problem Here was the last song written for Drapht's new album, and captures the musician entering a next stage of his life. "I had just bought my dream house in the hills of Perth, and the week I moved all my stuff in - planes started flying over," he says. "Then I found termites in the roof, snakes in the backyard, and to top it all off I have a toddler at home and I decided to throw a puppy in the mix just for some extra excitement.  It was all a tad bit stressful."

Problem Here is the next chapter in a very exciting next few months for Drapht. On September 10th, he'll release his next album Shadows and Shinings; a record that steps into new territory and - in his eyes - captures newfound heights in the rapper's already-legendary career. "There's a lot of cathartic venting within the subject matter, but in all, it was the easiest and most enjoyable album I have made to date," he teases. "I truly believe this is my best stuff.”

Then, there's the forthcoming tour coming alongside the record, which will see Drapht hit the road for dates spread across the country this September. "You can expect your old mate, backed by a high energy, six-piece live band of friends, and we’ll be playing 15 years worth of bangers," he hypes up.

You can find all of those tour details below, but for now, strap in and watch Drapht take himself further than he's ever gone before - Problem Here being a good example of such.

Tour Dates: 

FRI 3 SEP | SETTLERS TAVERN, MARGARET RIVER, WA
SAT 10 SEP | JACK RABBIT SLIMS, PERTH, WA
FRI 17 SEP | FAT CONTROLLER, ADELAIDE, SA
SAT 18 SEP | NIGHT CAT, MELBOURNE, VIC
SUN 19 SEP | BARWON CLUB, GEELONG, VIC 
FRI 24 SEP | SOL BAR, MAROOCHYDORE, QLD 
SAT 25 SEP | WOOLLY MAMMOTH, BRISBANE, QLD
SUN 26 SEP | MIAMI MARKETTA, GOLD COAST, QLD 

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