FANS were left disappointed earlier this year when 360 announced he had to postpone his Utopia Tour, which was due to hit Mandurah in late January.
The Melbourne rapper was forced to take time out due to a lack of work-life balance.
With a new date of May 1, 360 promises the rebranded Retopia Tour will more than make up for the cancelled show.
“I was dedicating too much time to work and not enough to my physical and mental health,” he said. “I just needed a bit of time off to rejuvenate and get back to my normal self. I’m feeling better than ever. I feel like my fans deserve to see me give them 110 per cent and put on an amazing show, so that’s what I’m going to do.
“I’ve been working on a lot of new music over the past few months so I’m looking forward to performing a whole bunch of new [music] that I’ve been working on. It will be great to give people a taste of what’s to come, as well as playing the classics. I’m in a really good space at the moment so I’m keen to get people excited for what’s on the horizon.”
360 has always successfully walked the line dividing mainstream and the alternative music scene which could be because the rapper has never aimed to follow the rules of either.
He said he has never approached his songwriting process with the idea of making radio-appropriate songs. “I feel it’s very see-through when artists do that,” he said. “The best way (in my opinion) is to make honest music, and when everything is finished, you can pick the ones that are most suitable for radio.
“I’ve found in the past that often the songs that have become the biggest singles that get played on the radio were songs I didn’t think radio would play. “When we made Boys Like You (featuring Gossling), I initially thought that radio wouldn’t play that, though it was always a favourite of anyone who listened to that album.” Utopia, like 360’s other albums, is brutally honest, covering topics such as alcoholism and religion.
His honesty has earned him praise from critics and has given his music heart and soul.
It’s easy to see why it’s something the rapper prides himself on.
“I’ve always admired and been a fan of other artists who are brutally honest and talk about topics that others wouldn’t,” 360 said. “I think it’s a good thing for artists to be honest about whatever it is they are going through, because a lot of the time fans will be going through similar things so they will relate to the music on a personal level.
“Also for me personally, music is like therapy. I could be going through a real rut of depression and anxiety – feeling completely lost and not knowing what to do with myself.
“Then I will write a song or a verse about what it is I’m going through and it helps me immensely.
“There are certain lyrics I recorded and actually changed because I didn’t want everyone knowing these specific details about myself. Part of me really wants to say everything and not hold back, but another part of me wants to keep some things private. It’s a constant battle in my head. I’m always second guessing myself about being too honest.”
360 will be at Players Bar on May 1. For more information go to 360music.com.au
