Border-raised but Melbourne-based hip-hop artist Boy Graduate was a late arrival to the world of music but has not missed a beat in forging a career in the competitive industry.
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The former Wodonga Catholic College student is celebrating the release of his new single I’m Not Ready with a headline east coast tour.
It features performances in Melbourne, Sydney, and his first hometown gig in about a year.
Boy Graduate will perform a free all-ages show at Albury’s Retro Lane Cafe on Friday, July 27.
“The first show was last Saturday night in Melbourne. Then I’m in Sydney and back to Albury,” he says.
“There’ll be a few artists coming with me from Melbourne in support, Kyso, Sol Bishop, we’ll have a DJ with us as well. It will be a good show.”
The new single I’m Not Ready features Chicago rapper Brian Fresco, who has recently released content on sites such as Complex, XXL and Noisey while following in the footsteps of long-term friend and collaborator Chance The Rapper.
Boy Graduate teamed up with veteran producer/engineer duo of Dom Cork (Amy Shark, Bliss N Eso) and Hamley (Allday, ILLY) to create this up-tempo melodically driven single.
Cam Klepiak dabbled in hip-hop during his school days, as Ckleezy, and although he was always drawn to the music of Dr Dre, Jay-Z, 50 cent, Eminem, Lil Wayne and later Kanye and Drake a career in music was not on the radar.
“I studied economics and accounting, management and all that kind of stuff,” he says.
“I did do a marketing degree and I finished studying, I don’t know how but I did, but I was drawn to the music more.”
Things changed after moving to Melbourne about five years ago.
“I didn’t really start making music until after I left school, when I was 18,” he says.
“I was just really into that music but it took while to get vocal coaching and all that kind of stuff.
“When I moved to Melbourne I started networking a lot and decide to try to build a career out of it.
“It’s definitely a marathon not a sprint.
“But you have to have a belief it will happen so in a way I’m not surprised things are happening but at the same time it is a little bit surreal.”
Following its launch via Off The Clef in May I’m Not Ready has received airtime on Triple J, Triple J Unearthed, FBi, 4ZZZ, PBS and more.
The single was also added to both Spotify’s “R&B Feels” playlist alongside The Weeknd, Childish Gambino, Frank Ocean and more.
It has also been added to Apple Music’s “New Fire” playlist alongside international artists including Drake and XXXTENTACION.
The Lowdown
What: Boy Graduate – I’m Not Ready Tour
When: July 27, Retro Lane Cafe, from 6pm
Tickets: free
