Kid Otic and Mike D. Renegade are the dynamic duo behind Black Shades & Arrogance, a prominent hip-hop group based in Melbourne, Australia. Known for their exceptional technical abilities and commanding stage presence, Black Shades & Arrogance has carved out a unique identity in the music scene that reflects their distinct style. They take great pride in their intricate delivery, seamlessly blending speed and clarity to create an impactful sound. Over the past seven years, their high-energy performances have captivated audiences and solidified their reputation as true masters of the craft within the hip-hop community.
Here’s my chat with Black Shades & Arrogance, ahead of their performance at eXposure Melbourne on October 11 at Persa Bar and Bandroom.
What inspired you to start making music?
Mike: “Tech N9ne & Eminem are my biggest influences and inspirations when it comes to rap/hip hop… I learned quite early that I had natural ability to write poetry since primary and high school as requirements for small assignments. One hard pill to swallow is that inspiration is fleeting, and if you miss that wave, you need to push through until it finds its way back to you.”
Otic: “I discovered Hip-Hop music when my sister bought me ‘The Eminem Show’ on CD for my 8th birthday, and I fell in love with the genre ever since. As my interest grew in the music and the culture, I began to write silly poems and share them at Show & Tell in Primary school.”
Did you ever consider focusing solely on singing, or did the desire to play instruments always feel like a natural extension of your musical identity?
Mike: “Definitely want to incorporate more of my instrumental ability, but I would need more practice, coaching, and musical theory knowledge. We have some basics down where some of our beats have added elements by us which help incorporate that personal touch. But the next step would be working with beat makers and construct our instrumentals from scratch.”
Otic: “When I was younger, I learnt how to play the keyboard through school, which allowed me to learn about chords and remaining in rhythm. It taught me patience and to not jump ahead – which I think is valuable in life. Mike is a talented piano player (he won’t admit that) but this has helped us immensely with our creative process and our overall delivery. As of right now, my sole focus remains on how I can become better at my vocal abilities – in regards to clarity, expression, cadence and pushing the boundaries lyrically. I strive to be better everyday. But who knows, maybe you will see me on the keys soon.”
What is it about music that keeps you passionate and motivated to keep creating, even when faced with challenges?
Mike: “If I feel something when I listen to my music, I know it will make other people feel. I’m trying to ensure I’m making music for myself, first and foremost, so that other listeners can then make the choices to come on the journey that I’m portraying in the delivery of the lyrics. It’s a dangerous place to be in where creativity is concerned, if you’re trying to make something that people will like. I found it is similar to when I cook. If I make food the way I like, then people tend to enjoy it more because a lot of love and imagination has gone into creating an experience.”
Otic: “I find something beautiful in knowing that one day when I am not around anymore, my music still will be. On top of that, if my music can resonate with someone and help them through a challenging time, then that motivates me to keep working hard at my craft. I know what it is like to hurt, and I know what music can do to get me out of a dark situation.”
Can you share a specific performance or milestone that you felt truly marked a turning point in your musical journey?
Mike: “Our latest Headline Show marked how far we’ve come. I had a lot of feedback saying it was our best performance ever… I’ve always had a feeling of belonging when I’m on stage. We’ve been at this for a long time and we’ve barely scratched the surface, but the journey has been incredibly rewarding.”
Otic: “I agree with Mike, our Headline show ‘Origins’ from October 2024 was a defining moment in our music journey. It was an exciting experience organising the event with major help from T and S Event Management. Those guys are dope! The energy that each support bought was legendary and the crowd was loud.”
Has there ever been a time when you doubted your career path, and if so, how did you push through those doubts?
Mike: “Every day. Identity is a huge part of forging a musical career, but even more so when you’re in a genre that relies heavily on the writing, lyricism, wordplay, imagery, tonality, nuances. There’s a pressure to be your own thing, and not be a copy cat, but then where does inspiration come from, and how do you learn something for your foundation and then make it evolve without being told that you sound like another artist and being dismissed by your audience. Make music for you, the right people will listen.”
Otic: “More often than you could imagine. When you forge a music career, you become vulnerable with your creative process for the whole world to see and judge. At times it can be extremely daunting, and without realising, you can let the pressure determine your next move. I think a big challenge for me for overcoming these obstacles is to just remain true to myself. If you try to be something you are not musically, it loses all authenticity and your music is hard to believe and receive.
What exciting hip-hop projects or goals do you have lined up for 2025, and how do you plan to push your music to new heights?
Mike: “We want to work on our second album, but also find ways to collaborate a lot more. We’re trying to balance a lot of different things whilst making a push with music… It’s not easy, but we’re not gonna act like we’re the only ones juggling responsibilities, and distractions… Everyone is, we just have to make the time, dedicate our energy and keep showing up to keep growing up in this industry.”
Otic: “Our first album ‘Irregular’ had a big positive response from our listeners, so to hopefully catch lightning twice would be awesome! Our second album will be our main focus of 2025, along with a few different collaborations in hopes to expand our reach and repertoire even further. We also want to keep building our brand and image, and look forward to being onstage at The Bizz Presents’ eXposure this October. We take so much pride in Black Shades & Arrogance, and it gives us motivation to become a household name in the world of Australian music. Watch out, world!”
Don’t wait till Black Shades & Arrogance perform at eXposure – hop onto the socials to follow them on Instagram, Facebook and give them a listen on Spotify.
