Shuttling down from Morayfield, a suburb 45 kilometres north of Brisbane, rapper Sidney Phillips performed her latest album Penance live for the first time at Stay Gold in Brunswick, Melbourne on the 23 January, 2025.
The venue was packed to the brim with fans donning the uniform of Polos and TNs, a nod to Sidney’s signature style. Fans danced and thumped the night away to the beats of stealthyn00b, the underground Australian rap collective that Sidney is part of, alongside Rapalloo and PurpStainedKsubis.
Together, they’re pioneering Australia’s new alternative rap scene. Spinning into the spotlight after her fourth album I’m So Tired of Being Staunchly, Sidney has gained acclaim for effortlessly combining pluggnb inspired sounds (rooted in the United States) with colloquial Australian references.
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Informed by eshays, Mother energy drinks and the internet, Sidney’s verses like “Nautica on the fit, man I don’t rock Supreme” are delivered in a raw Australian accent that sets her apart.
When asked why they listened to Sidney, fans offered a variety of answers. “This really is something different coming out of Australia,” one said. “Rap has been the same for a while, and now, having Sidney making the music she does is refreshing”.
Another highlighted Sidney’s ability to “mix Australian culture with the underground culture of hip-hop,” which is “very good to see for our country especially”. The consensus was clear, “Sidney’s authentic. She is who she is and she’s not afraid about it.”
The next day, I met Sidney at Sydney Road for an interview. Reflecting on her approach to music, she feels what’s important is “having uniqueness in your music, having something to remember it by and having it be true to yourself as well.”
For Sidney, this comes down to her usage of the Australian accent. Whilst many Australian artists adopt American accents in their work – something Sidney briefly attempted – “it just doesn’t feel right,” according to her.
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On the topic of authenticity, I raised the comparisons fans and netizens make by dubbing Sidney as the “Australian Bladee”. Sidney laughed at this and referenced a tweet, comparing the phenomenon to someone who’s only seen Boss Baby and then comparing every subsequent movie to it.
While Sidney acknowledges that her work draws from certain music movements, “it’s so much more than that”. Living on the outskirts of Brisbane, Sidney revealed that “Penance deals a lot with isolation.”
In a city where the music scene is squarely dominated by traditional forms of “bands, rock and hip-hop”, Sidney reflects on her unique position: “It’s a good sign of the times that someone like me can come out of 45 [minutes] north of Brisbane and make the sort of music that I make that sounds like an Australian.”
Interestingly, despite references to her Australian identity, the majority of Sidney’s listeners are based in America, actively engaging in a “transfer of culture” that flips the script of America’s cultural dominance.
When asked for advice for aspiring musicians, Sidney cautions against pursuing music for fame or fortune. Instead, she believes passion should be the main motivator. She leaves a simple yet impactful message: “Just do it. Don’t wait. Don’t wait till it’s too late.”
Keep up with Sidney Phillips here.