·S1 E20

Hooligan Hefs on Jail, Instinct and Becoming Australia’s Most Charismatic Rapper

July 23

46 mins

Episode Description

Hooligan Hefs joins Poppy Reid for an honest conversation about the journey from Western Sydney underground rap to becoming one of Australia's biggest hip-hop artists. While Send Itturned him into a household name and one of Australia's most streamed rap artists, this episode goes far beyond the party anthem that changed everything.

Hefs opens up about building a sound that blended street rap, UK drill, EDM and party music into something uniquely Australian, why rap purists initially rejected his music, and how trusting his own instincts helped him break through. He reflects on the success of Send It, the police reaction to its infamous music video, the misconceptions people had about him, and why authenticity has always mattered more than following trends.

The conversation also explores his new album Sixth Sense, the meaning behind its title, his collaboration with Wiley, and his vision for taking Western Sydney's sound onto the global stage. Hefs also discusses Australia's music industry, supporting fellow artists instead of competing with them, growing up with a single mother and two older brothers, and the mindset that's driven his career from the very beginning.

A candid conversation about ambition, identity, loyalty, creativity and the next chapter of one of Australian rap's biggest success stories.

Topics discussed:

• The story behind Send It

• The making of Sixth Sense

• Why rap purists didn't understand his music

• The evolution of Western Sydney hip-hop

• Supporting Australian artists• Global ambitions for Australian rap

• Growing up in Western Sydney

• The Send It music video controversy

• Creativity vs chasing trends

• Authenticity, confidence and legacy

Poppy Reid is dressed by American Apparel