“PEOPLE in regional areas love music,” Al Murray aka Illy told The Border Watch ahead of his upcoming show in Mount Gambier next weekend.
The popular hip-hop artist is in the midst of his largest national tour to date which features a number of regional stop-offs including the Blue Lake city.
Al will perform at Shadows Entertainment Complex next Saturday night with a fresh set list stacked with hits and classics.
In just under 10 years, Illy has become a household name as one of the country’s most popular rap artists.
Through relatable lyrics, memorable collaborations and “phat” hooks, Al has a well established back catalogue of what the young guns call “bangers”.
After his fourth studio album Cinematic produced a series of hits including the epic smash Tightrope, fans were begging for more.
Finally, Al has clapped back three years on with the release of Two Degrees.
The record debuted at number one on the ARIA charts, a milestone for the rapper as his first chart topping album release.
Al’s career kick-started in 2009 following the release his debut album Long Story Short.
Comparing the debut with Two Degrees, Al said he had come a long way.
“Wow, comparing the two albums is like night and day really,” he said.
“I think the biggest thing is that I really know what I am doing now, and I know that sounds whack but I have definitely experienced a lot of creative development over those eight years.
“Long Story Short was my debut and I will love it forever but I feel like what I am doing now is so much stronger.”
For Al, Two Degrees is a self reflection on fame and the rap game itself.
He said his lyrics and writing style for the new release differed from previous releases.
“Most of my tracks maintain a pretty positive outlook on life and that is something I have carried through over the years,” Al said.
“Long Story Short’s themes and lyrics are more classic hip-hop in the way of being really straight up in how you say things.
“But on Two Degrees there is more to it, my lyrics are up for interpretation which will give the fans a chance to find what the track means to them.
“Definitely better them than me.”
During the lead up to the release of Two Degrees, Al was criticised for his three year gap between albums.
He admitted to feeling the pressure for the follow-up to Cinematic.
“Everything I have put out I feel pressure, but a lot of it comes from myself, I like to always exceed my own expectations and push myself out of my comfort zone,” Al said.
“I was definitely more relaxed after the epic response to Papercuts which blew up bigger than I ever imagined.”
Al is renowned for his collaborations and said at the live shows those tracks really “go off”.
“Early on we tried to have a live backing vocalist but because the voices I work with are so diverse it was near impossible to pull off,” he said.
“So we just roll with the vocal backing track which then gives the crowd a chance to sing what they know – and they sound amazing.”
Al promises the Mount Gambier show will be one to remember.
“We will have myself, my drummer and DJ plus Citizen Kay all ready to put on a good party, this is my first show in Mount Gambier so I am looking forward to it,” he said.
“The area is dope, I met some friends in Port MacDonnell last year for a short break and we sussed out the caves and Blue Lake – so I am not a complete stranger.
“I love playing shows and my whole crew love being on the road so if people will listen, we will play.”
Visit www.illyal.com to purchase tickets for the show at Shadows Entertainment Complex on September 23.
