Drapht's Playlist

Wed 14th Sep, 2011 in Features

It has been quite a year for Drapht; his fourth album The Life Of Riley debuted ay #1 on the ARIA charts and spawned two huge singles, further propelling the Perth based Em Cee into the public eye (and ear).

About to embark on his huge Party Party Party tour and set to play Coaster Festival this weekend, Brisbane’s Sprung Festival in October, Homebake this December and Pyramid Rock over NYE, it is clear he has an even bigger few months ahead of him.

Only days before he hits the open road Drapht took some rare time out to tell FL about the albums that have shaped his life, from Ice Cube to the Bee Gees.

FIRST ALBUM YOU BOUGHT

Ice Cube, Lethal Injection. And on a family holiday down south, I left it on the back seat of my Mum’s car at the time, and someone that felt like they deserved it more than I, smashed the window and it was the only thing they stole. I suppose that was the target audience, so I can’t be too mad. Everything else previous to that I would tape off my sisters. I looked up to them and their friends a lot as a kid, they pretty much moulded my taste in music in general and lead me on the path I am on today. Pretty sad that their taste in music SUCKS now though, other than being big fans of mine of course haha.

FIRST ALBUM HANDED DOWN TO YOU

It was probably Guns N’ Roses Use Your Illusions 1’ and ‘2’. I was a huge Gunners fan as a kid; posters, albums, etc. Even to the extent of having pictures of Axl Rose in my wallet. Either that, or Boyz II Men’s Cooley High Harmony. I’m not going to front, I thrashed that album as a youngen’. That was my introduction to soul music. So, so, so much soul in that record too. My mum would try and push Kenny G on us as kids. Trying to make us go to sleep to it…. Nice try, mum…. Not a chance!

FIRST BREAK-UP ALBUM

I was listening to a lot of Snoop’s Doggystyle around the time of my first break-up. I was too much of an angry teenager to be caught up with any form of reflective emotion through music though. It had the longevity and life-span to completely engulf my entire teenage years, and I still thoroughly enjoy it to this day. An absolute classic. I feel sorry for the kids that are brought up on Snoop’s new stuff.

GUILTY PLEASURE ALBUM

It would have to be either Bee Gees Love Songs or Cat Stevens Remember. They both get a run in the tour van from time to time when on the road. I am glad I have a touring party of friends that can appreciate them too, otherwise none the wiser, and they would remain behind closed doors as the soundtracks to my OCD fuelled spring-cleaning sessions.

FAVOURITE AUSSIE ALBUM

Hilltop Hoods, Matter of Time and Hunter & Dazastah’s Done DL were both hugely iconic albums to me growing up. When I think of my favourite Australian albums, I think not so much in a current frame of mind, but more so the amount I cherished it at the time. Both of these were sought out albums within my group of friends and did a lot for myself as an artist and our scene in general.

ALBUM YOU WISH YOU MADE

The Beatles White Album or Please Please Me. Actually pretty much any Beatles record. I don’t care, even just let me be a fly on the wall to witness the recording process, conversations, debauchery and pure genius that were The Beatles. One song even!

ALBUM YOU ONCE LOVED

Task Force New Mic Order – UK hip hop at its finest and another big album that I honed a heap of energy from. Chester P played a huge part in the time I would spend on my lyrics, subject matter and especially my punch lines. One of the most intelligent rappers I have been blessed to come across and still one of my favourites.

LAST ALBUM YOU BOUGHT

My good buddy Mantra’s album Speaking Volumes, that I feature on, mind you. I couldn’t wait any longer for that slack-ass to send me a copy, so I supported the man and I suggest you all do the same. One of the best in the country, hands down.

You can catch Drapht playing Coaster Festival on Saturday 17th September, Sprung Festival on Saturday October 15th and Pyramid Rock Festival on New Year’s Ever. More tour dates available here.