Manu Crooks

I'm not a big fan of Aussie hip-hop, but Sydney based Manu Crooks is one of the few acts to have caught my attention in the past six months.  Having seen him support numerous international hip-hop personalities, Crooks has managed to not only hold his own, but become a leader of the new breed of Australian hip-hop artists that are changing perceptions of what the culture is about. Blending modern hip-hop beats with his unique flow, latest single "Ridin'" is another sure fire winner. Miracle & DOPAM!NE provide a hazy soul searching beat for Crooks to deliver his smooth rhymes as he asks, "What you wanna do? / What you tryin' do? / Tell me what to do." Explaining the song as "an elongated version of a misunderstood male trying to figure it all out,” this is Crooks' most assertive release yet, with his forthcoming mood forever EP shaping up as a must listen release.  Crooks' mood forever EP is set to drop August 18.