Hip-hop in Australia is having a moment, and it’s largely thanks to the sounds coming out of the UK. Australia and the UK have always shared similarities music-wise, but it’s taken until recently for the rap sounds of the UK to make its way here.

ONEFOUR, Hooligan Hefs, ChillinIT and Nerve are all embracing both grime and drill sounds to add a new spin on the hip-hop sounds Australia is producing, and it’s getting them acclaim on a global stage.

Melbourne rapper Z. Lewis is putting his hat in the ring for one of the best proponents of Australian grime/drill, but he does have an unfair advantage - he was born in one of grime’s heartlands, Hackney in East London. He’s just released his new single, Down, and it’s a bit of a fuck you to those who want to keep him in his box.

Produced by L.A’s Don DiestrO, it’s another example of Australian artists eschewing the traditional ‘BBQ rap’ sounds that might have dominated triple j and the collective consciousness when rap, and instead looking overseas for influence. Z. Lewis can spit, and for three and a half minutes, he does exactly that.

I’m particularly impressed by Z. Lewis’ flow. I think sometimes the ‘rap fast’ flex can be overplayed, but in Z. Lewis’ case it’s refreshing to hear it have an actual purpose. The song feels like a bit of a headrush in the best way possible, and if you’re someone that’s tried to keep him down, you’re probably currently in the process of taking a look over your shoulder and making sure everything’s ok.

Speaking about the track’s inspiration, Z. Lewis says, “Down comes from a place of defiance. I’m kinda taking pot shots at those in my life who sought to push me under along the way.” It’s a feeling a lot of people can relate to; rather than be the main character in your own life, many people expect you to be a background role in their story.

Does it sound Australian? Not in the slightest. Personally, I think that’s a good thing. For years, the talk about whether an Australian rapper could make it overseas dominated any discourse around rap in Australia, but now it’s happening 'Australian rap’ isn’t getting covered in music media anywhere near enough. Thankfully, there’s currently heaps of rap talent in Australia, and they’re largely getting their roses elsewhere.

Check out Down below. Z. Lewis is part of the new wave of hip-hop in Australia, and it’s only a matter of time before he’s getting noticed on a big scale both on, and beyond, our shores. He’s set to release his debut project later this year, and I can’t wait to check it out.