In his new music video for Sandcastles, the Sydney rapper charts the passing of time and the progression of the label he co-founded.
In a poignant reflection on Sydney’s independent hip-hop scene, rapper Joel Rapaport has unveiled Sandcastles, a nostalgic music video chronicling the rise and fall of Big Village Records, the label he co-founded with 12 other artists in 2010.
The video, directed by Maia Dal Berger, shows Rapaport performing the track to former label members, interwoven with archival footage spanning the label’s eight-year collective run. It serves as both a eulogy and celebration of a creative movement that emerged from a Surry Hills warehouse to become a significant force in Australian hip-hop.
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Big Village’s impact on the national music scene was substantial, with three Australian Music Prize nominations and an FBI SMAC award nomination. The label launched several notable careers, including those of Tuka, Omar Musa and True Vibenation, releasing 19 albums and six EPs before transitioning to sole ownership under Rapaport in 2017.
Sandcastles appears on Rapaport’s third solo album, Roadkill, released in July 2024. The self-produced collection showcases his versatility, moving between folky rap, grime storytelling and jazz-influenced boom bap.
The nine-track album tackles themes ranging from fractured relationships to sexual assault, maintaining a delicate balance between sardonic wit and raw sentiment.
A multi-instrumentalist currently studying jazz guitar at Sydney Conservatorium, Rapaport performed and recorded all instruments on the album, with additional production and mixing from Louis Isaac (Kid Fiction). The release follows his 2022 EP Dodo and includes The Gardener, a piano-driven love poem released earlier this year.
Rapaport’s two-decade contribution to Australian hip-hop extends beyond his label work. As the creator of Sketch the Rhyme and a member of groups Loose Change and The Phonies, he has consistently pushed creative boundaries.
His 2018 appearance in the Fully Gassed grime cypher, which has garnered over 850,000 YouTube views, cemented his position in Australia’s evolving hip-hop landscape.
Sandcastles stands as a testament to the ephemeral nature of creative communities and the enduring impact of collective artistic endeavour.
To keep up with Big Village Records, head here.
