Deeper than Rap… Young, Gifted & Broke is Back

Deeper than Rap… Young, Gifted & Broke is Back for Another Huge Event.

- Mo Kolours – Lapis – Groeni – The Means –

On Friday the 1st of April at Auckland's Bacco Room, Young, Gifted & Broke (YGB) and Red Bull Sound Select present an evening of quality music headlined by Mo Kolours (UK), with support from local acts Lapis, Groeni and The Means.

"Personally, if I could put together my idea show, this would be it," says YGB founder Tom Scott. "Good music and good people, in a relaxed environment where you don’t have to act any type of way. You can just enjoy the music."

Hailing from London, Mo Kolours is a half-Mauritian, half-British music producer, percussionist and vocalist. The Guardian described his self-titled debut as, "The best album Curtis Mayfield never made with A Tribe Called Quest and Lee [Scratch] Perry." A master of beat and vocal collage in the studio, his energetic, improvised live show is an equally glorious mess of loops and layering.

"I wanted to bring Mo Kolours over for Red Bull Sound Select because he's one of my favourite artists.," Scott says. "I know the YGB heads will appreciate it. Our people want more than just another rap show; they’re hungrier than that."

Alongside Mo Kolours headline appearance, the evening will also see the first Red Bull Sound Select performance from emerging Auckland producer Lapis and his live band. A multi-talented sound explorer from K Road's Grow Room scene, Lapis has been quietly uploading his compelling take on experimental beat psychedelica for several years now.

"I first heard this dude at the bottom of a Sound Cloud rabbit hole," Scott says. "It was instantly refreshing. I could tell he knew what he wanted to say and that he wasn't trying to conform to anybody."

Fittingly, the admiration is mutual. "I am honored to be supported by artists who I admire, such as Tom Scott," Lapis says. "It's so important to be seen by other artists, and I'm looking forward to supporting those around me as I grow. It's great feedback to be offered a part in Red Bull Sound Select. We are excited to perform."

Alongside Mo Kolours and Lapis, the evening will be rounded out by performances from Wellington-based live electronica trio Groeni and Auckland fusion quartet Esther Stephens & The Means.

"YGB isn't just a rap gang," Scott says. "It's a collective of artists. So with this show, I wanted to expand on what people's perception of YGB is. We're not just a group of drongos on the dole. We've come a long way since back in the day, and I know the people that were there with us then have too."

Having just reissued their Hinde EP on vinyl and performing at Laneway Festival, Groeni is in fine form right now. As recipients of joint support from Red Bull Sound Select and New Zealand On Air, they also recently premiered a new video clip for the Hinde EP's title track via Noisey. As a live experience, their hypnotic techno soul is second to none.

After performing at the APRA Silver Scrolls in Auckland last year, Esther Stephens and The Means have been busy working as session musicians on a new Tom Scott helmed album titled Avantdale Bowling Club. Esther also recently contributed vocals to K*Saba & Hone Be Good's new song 'Boeing' featuring Team Dynamite. Polished players, they'll bring a refreshing blend of soul, jazz, electronica and rock to the stage on the night.

YGB and Red Bull Sound Select are coming together for an evening of quality vibe music. RSVP now for $3 entry at www.redbullsoundselect.com/nz.

ENDS

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