The Goo 1
Words: Jack Mc Bain OCT '25 HIP-HOP There’s only
one event to discuss kicking off this column and that is Clash At The Quays, the brainchild of Dublin rapper Ahmed, With Love. The event that blended two of my favourite art forms in music and wrestling took place in The Complex as part of the Dublin Fringe Festival and my god was it an absolute blast. Being in the crowd for this sold out spectacle I had the feeling this was an event that could easily take off in years to come with bigger venues and bigger artists surely in the pipeline off the success of this show. I have never had so much fun at a show watching some of the best artists the country has to offer such as Curtisy, Sloucho & Vatican Jail perform in the ring with stellar sets in between the pure chaos of some fascinating matchups in the world of Irish wrestling was an experience like no other. Ahmed, With Love deserves so much credit for how he put this event together his genius cannot be understated. In terms of the Irish music scene I truly believe he is one of a kind being able to create an experience that everyone in attendance will remember for years to come is some achievement. In terms of gig announcements it’s been quiet for rap music lately but this month things are definitely starting to pick up. The pick of the bunch for me has to be a show I’ve been pining for years to happen. Yes finally Earl Sweatshirt will be playing a show in Dublin touching down in The Academy on the 16th of February. The show will be part of his ‘3LWorld Tour’ which comes after the release of his new album ‘Live Laugh Love’. With an album title that sounds like a sign that would be hanging up in your granny’s house a bit like the slogan itself this album is sweet and wholesome and I’m glad Earl is doing good. There was also the small matter of global superstar The Weeknd announcing a show at Croke Park next summer. I personally don’t have much interest in the main event BUT the support act is another story. The hollowed grounds of the GAA will be taken over by Opium head honcho Playboi Carti who is on supporting duties for this tour. Now the thought of Playboi Carti screeching his way through his set at Croke Park does sound maybe not appealing but more intriguing I was disappointed to find out that his set for the same tour in the US is a measly five songs long. Back home Irish rappers themselves are continuing to make waves all over the world with one in particular continuing to grow. Deathtoricky has been an Irish rapper that has been playing shows all over the world. Fresh off from releasing his debut album ‘IKFLY’ he has been over in New York playing shows alongside fellow Irish underground rap pioneer Buckshot. The Irish underground is a scene to keep an eye on with more and more people continuing to take notice of this movement. 39