Melbourne hip hop icon Illy took to his socials last Tuesday to announce a national tour celebrating the 10-year anniversary of his fifth album Two Degrees this June and July. Featuring the hit singles “Papercuts” with Vera Blue and “Catch 22” with Anne-Marie, the record debuted at number 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart and still slaps a decade on.
The five-date tour will see the rapper and his band perform the album in full, as well as songs from the acclaimed Cinematic and The Chase, in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. With half the songs boasting guest features, there may very well be some special surprises on the cards for those looking to relive this timeless local gem. Perhaps the most exciting prospect is the opportunity to catch the monumental title track and powerful deep cut “Truce” live.
You could be forgiven for not knowing the name of this multi-platinum, award-winning boy from the burbs, but you’ve almost certainly heard his music. Following in the footsteps of legendary acts like Hilltop Hoods and Drapht, Illy released four albums in five years when he broke out with 2009’s Long Story Short – all while touring relentlessly and studying a law degree! Two Degrees became one of Australia’s most successful hip hop releases and his first of three consecutive ARIA #1 albums.
“I’m not one for looking back too often,” Illy says, “but this milestone for Two Degrees is a moment worth celebrating with the people who it meant something to then, and still does to this day.
“I wouldn’t be here without them, and I look forward to playing Two Degrees, and some even deeper cuts from the back catalogue, for the first time in a long time, with the people who’ve been with me the longest”.
Coming off the back of a sold-out arena tour with the Hoods, you won’t want to miss the chance to see Illy revisit this classic record with fresh eyes and sharpened skill. The tour kicks off at 170 Russell in Melbourne on 7 June before wrapping things up at The Triffid in Brisbane on 18 July. Get your tickets now before it sells out, because it probably will.
In the wise words of the man himself: “If you don’t respect what it take to make this look easy by now, you never will.”
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Header image supplied by PR
