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Live Review: OKENYO keeps it real with new single ‘HANG YOUR HAT’

8 October 2018 | 8:24 am | Clare Neal

OKENYO has been having an eventful 2018 to say the least. Having released her debut EP THE WAVE back in May to mass critical acclaim...

OKENYO has been having an eventful 2018 to say the least. Having released her debut EP THE WAVE back in May to mass critical acclaim, the artist is now backing up her own success with new single ‘HANG YOUR HAT’, with the help of long time collaborator Lionel Towers in the co-producer’s chair. It’s a bold, punchy track that straddles the realms of hip-hop and pop and, more importantly, acts as much needed commentary on some prominent, if unacknowledged issues with modern Australian culture.

What we’re talking about in particular is casual racism, with some defiantly fierce lyrics like “just being who I am and who I is” and references to skin colours, hairstyles and stereotypes, OKENYO smashes through the BS and lets her listeners know that she’s here to call it like she sees it and is challenging the status quo. Ride on, girl.

‘HANG YOUR HAT’ has a very powerful female, Missy Elliott vibe to it. With industrial-come-tribal percussion production and burnt-out vocal effects making the track gritty enough to match its message. OKENYO describes the song as a “dominant lift of the chin and a big cheeky grin”, which is pretty much the best summary anyone could offer. It’s not a track that’s here to cause trouble, it’s a track that’s here to cause positive changes.

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With plans to be a part of music label ELEFANT TRAKS’ ET20 Extravaganza throughout November and December to round off the year, expect ‘HANG YOUR HAT’ to be heard on summer playlists everywhere. Also, there are rumours of a follow-up body of work in the making from OKENYO, but as to when we will know more on that is anybody’s guess. Onward and upward!

Words by Clare Neal.

Image: Kate Williams.

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