NEW VIDEO: Melbourne MC Strictly D.T lifts the veil on the visuals for his recent fire-starter single ‘My Life’

Earlier this month, rising hip hop artist Strictly D.T revealed the first taste of a new palette of songwriting with his empowering and affirming single ‘My Life’. After breaking out on his own as a fully independent artist and releasing his Note to Self EP in 2019, the single is the first we’ve heard from the Seattle born, Perth raised, Melbourne based MC in two years. Now, Strictly D.T is thrilled to share the track’s heart-stirring film component courtesy of local filmmakers Vanessa Valenzuela and Justin Macawili of Strangworld Studios.
 
Navigating mental health, relationships, family politics and much more with a velvety smooth flow and sharp as nails lyricism, ‘My Life’ cements Strictly D.T’s place as one of the country’s most madly respected MCs. The simple yet powerful video accompaniment perfectly envelopes D.T’s deeply personal refrain “you will not make me hate my life” with candid imagery from sun-drenched rooftop piggy backs with his son, to cityscape freestyling and driver’s seat mic drops. The result is as compelling as it is arresting, beckoning you to examine both your privilege and your vices.

“It’s always refreshing to hear DT’s music, either his recordings or his live performances. His flow is super clear and precise and his lyrics are as sharp as his wits. Everything I love about hip hop as a culture, he represents. So, I was ecstatic when he approached me to do a video with him. I think DT’s music reminds me of the golden era of hip hop. He places the listener in contemporary times and tells you how it is. So with this video, I wanted to reflect that. The setting was a character in itself, I wanted to paint it as a more personal picture of DT. We set it in the heart of Melbourne CBD. We slowed down the pace and included DT’s son in the visuals and we captured beautiful and genuine reactions of their relationship, something that isn’t done in a lot of hip hop videos.” – Justin Macawili, Strangeworld Studios

Since moving to Australia Strictly D.T has supported the likes of Mos Def, Common, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, and has hosted his own B-Boy shows and spoken word nights as well as making an appearance on triple j’s Bars of Steel alongside some of the best established and emerging rappers around Australia. He has received an International Songwriters Competition win endorsed by Ziggy Marley, Lorde, Booker T. Jones and Tom Waits among others and has worked with the likes of veteran DJ Tek, Sydney based producer Ralph Radical, and most recently with the HALO Vocal Ensemble. D.T has performed at sold out shows at the Melbourne Museum for Melbourne Music Week, and Northcote Town Hall for Melbourne Jazz Festival, as well as his own packed shows at the iconic Fremantle Arts Centre, Mojos Bar and the Rosemount Hotel. Now Strictly D.T is gearing for a live show at Rizky’s Winter Jam at Melbourne institution Section 8 plus returning to the stage with Halo Vocal Ensemble to perform reimagined arrangements of the Sister Act Songbook.

 Do not miss your chance to catch this artist on the rise as he performs some fresh bars to sink your teeth into this winter.

‘My Life’ is out now via United Masters and Bandcamp

UPCOMING SHOWS
RIZKY’S WINTER JAM
Sunday 31 July
Section 8
Joey Coco, Spell, DJ Ingrid and live performances by Strictly DT and NOMAD
 Free entry from 5pm
 
HALO VOCAL ENSEMBLE PRESENTS THE SISTER ACT SONGBOOK
Sunday 28 August
Performing reimagined arrangements of the Sister Act Songbook!
Shotkickers – Thornbury
Tickets: via Eventbrite

‘My Life’ Credits
Written and performed by Strictly D.T
Produced by spellspellspell
Shot and Directed by Justin Macawili and Vanessa Valenzuela
Mixed and Mastered by MattyMadeit
Recorded at Strictly D.T’s Closet
Artwork by Strictly D.T
Photography by Rachel Bradley
Supported by the Australian Council for the Art