I’ve spent the afternoon grooving out to the musical stylings of Squid the Kid, a genre-bending rapper and songwriter from Naarm/Melbourne. He might be from Gen Z, but the way he blends R&B, soul, and jazz into his new track “Cater” reminds me of the rappers I used to love in the 90s. Although music fans younger than me might liken him to innovative new artists like Tyler, the Creator and Anderson .Paak. Whatever perspective you’re coming from, I know you’re going to appreciate this single.
“The origins of this song were from a misunderstanding that I had with my girlfriend at the time. My mind wasn’t clear, there was something bugging it,” he explained. “At that moment I realised what I wanted this song to signify. I really took reference from Destiny’s Child ‘Cater 2 U’, the main message of their song was how they just want to look after and care for their loved one.”
He might not be a household name in Australia yet, but he’s destined for a global career. Last September he made the final of the Vans Musicians Wanted competition, which saw his work critiqued by Denzel Curry and Sean Miyashiro. No doubt it’s only the start of the international attention his music will receive. You can get in on the ground floor when Squid the Kid launches “Cater” with a hometown show at Laundry Bar on August 4.
Image used with permission from Beehive PR