4ESydney is gearing up for its 10th anniversary festival on November 23, set to be held at Blacktown's Main Street and Warrick Lane Precinct.
Presented by Vyva Entertainment in partnership with Blacktown Arts, Blacktown City Council and Powerhouse, the event features a dynamic lineup that highlights diverse and influential voices.
This year's festival includes celebrated Murrawari/Filipino musician and composer DOBBY, who will also participate in the lead-up event, The State of HipHop, and ARIA-nominated artist and third-culture kid, Mo'Ju.
They are joined by artists such as 1300, Jamaica Moana, B Wise, and emerging talents from Western Sydney.
Reflecting on the festival's impact, DOBBY highlighted the importance of creating spaces for meaningful discussions that include Indigenous artists.
"4ESydney allows the hard questions to be safely discussed in a welcoming and community-driven space, from all walks of life," he said.
"It's so important we have spaces like these to facilitate the past and future of our hip hop community, especially for Mob."
Mo'Ju, known for their powerful storytelling, brings their distinct identity as a Wiradjuri/Filipino artist to the stage.
They expressed their appreciation for 4ESydney's dedication to uplifting Indigenous and people of colour.
"I love to perform in any space that platforms and celebrates the voices of First Nations people and people of colour," Mo'Ju said.
"I know that 4ESydney is an event that really prioritises hearing what we have to say, and I appreciate that very much in an industry that has historically done quite the opposite."
Mo'Ju's music is deeply informed by their cultural heritage, which they carry into every aspect of their work.
"My culture and my heritage comes with me everywhere I go. It's part of me," they explained.
"So obviously it informs what I do. And as a 3rd gender and 3rd culture kid, there are many intersecting parts that make up who I am."
They hope audiences see the complexity and authenticity of their art.
"We are all individuals, fully formed, layered, complex and beautiful. I am not a caricature or a stereotype," Mo'Ju said.
"Life is not a nice, neat little package you can stuff in a pigeonhole… nor is my art, and neither am I."
DOBBY said Hip Hop's influence on the youth is significant.
"It's the future, full stop," he said,
"Even after 51 years of hip hop, it stands the test of time as the most powerful form of truth telling we have that engages our youth."
Mo'Ju also touched on the genre's broader power as a storytelling platform.
"We all know HipHop started out as Black American music. Since it became a global language, it has always been for PoC," Mo'Ju said.
"We've always been storytellers... I'm glad that people are recognising the power of this genre as an art form."
While Mo'Ju remains humble about their contribution to Indigenous representation in Australia's music scene, they recognise the significance of visibility.
"I'm not sure. I don't assume to speak for anyone else. But I'm visible, and I believe that's important," they said.
"I'm just one in a long line of people who've come before and people who will come next."
As for what he hopes the broader HipHop community gains from events like 4ESydney, DOBBY said he hopes people can first "engage in our calls to action, our narratives and our knowledge through these albums".
"If we can bring more love and support to these stories, there is so much potential for both our mob and in HipHop," DOBBY said.
The 4ESydney festival, which champions music, dance, graffiti, and community, features a diverse array of artists and activities.
With workshops, cultural exhibitions and family-friendly activities, the festival is set to be a celebration of creativity, resilience and community spirit.
More information is available via the 4ESydney Festival website.
