Briggs is hosting Apple Music's new Australian hip-hop radio show.

Briggs is hosting Apple Music's new Australian hip-hop radio show.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

"It's letting people around the world into what's happening here,and I think it's going to be a good outlet here,"Briggs says of the show,which sees him join a stable including Elton John and Nicki Minaj in addressing Apple Music's 50 million subscribers."Like,I remember the first time I got a song played on Triple J,I was buggin'. And if I had access like this to just get a song up,that's a little thing that can push you to the next level and keep you going."

The rapper,half ofthe APRA-winning A.B. Original,will be showcasing a local scene that's shifted fundamentally in recent years,led in part by his own example,and is flourishing amid diverse perspectives,both culturally and stylistically,from acclaimed and varied artists like Sampa the Great and Tkay Maidza,both female emcees of African heritage;Western Sydney faves Kwame and B Wise;Baker Boy's Yolngu party flow;and promising young bloods like Kobie Dee and The Kid Laroi.

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It's a new breed that doesn't even need to acknowledge those constrictive arguments of the past,let alone refute them,says Briggs.

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"These kids,they're on a different vibe,man. My thing is,like,it's important not to stifle someone's creativity,you know what I mean? Let them get their bars off and let them grow into their own styles,whatever the accent,whatever the sound. These kids are telling their story and their truth,and how they do it is up to them,artistically,"he says.

"Back in the day,we were always hard up:you've gotta sound like this,you've gotta sound like that. But even then,the important thing was not to be wack. And that's still the common denominator,man. There are always going to be motherf---ers who are wack. But,you know,bars speak for themselves."

The New Australia,hosted by Briggs,launches on Apple Music's Beats 1 today.

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