Today, Boorloo / Perth-based rapper and producer Arno Faraji officially brings in #FARAJISZN with the release of his hotly anticipated debut mixtape, Return To Raji. LISTEN HERE.

Return To Raji is a manifestation of Arno’s tenacity as an artist – refusing to back down in the face of adversity, and being rewarded with limitless growth. Finding solace in creativity, Arno soundtracked his process of rediscovering his own inner strength, building a 13-track project that showcases his meticulously honed songwriting craft. “To me, the title ‘Return to Raji’ is about regaining a sense of identity and spirit,” Arno reveals. “Looking at where I’ve been and where l’ve been tryna go, having a sense of confidence and direction reinstalled, it’s about getting a spark again and feeling charged.”

Previewing the project across a string of recent singles – including ‘On The Move’, ‘Gravity’, ‘Black Sunday’, ‘Free Flow’, ‘Boss Energy’, ‘FXITH’ and ‘LADY’ – Arno has drawn high praise from fans and media alike, recognised not only for his command of the genre, but also the messages of perseverance, empowerment and authenticity he instils with each release. Sitting down in an interview with Stan Cavier earlier this year, Arno dives deep into the challenges he faced during the making of the mixtape, magnified by the added pressure he put on himself to succeed – “through my own shame, I kind of overlooked how grateful I should’ve been for the position and situation I’m in right now” – and how he was then able to break the negative cycle to find joy in music again.

Elevated by Arno’s refined musicality and innovative production, Return To Raji flows seamlessly from front to back, with each track serving as a key that unlocks this new creative phase. Opening the mixtape with today’s focus single ‘SPACESHIP’, Arno unveils a celestial spectrum of sound that sets the stage for the boundary-pushing production throughout the project. Taking a moment to acknowledge the community that has been with him every step of the way, Arno shares, “SPACESHIP is about living a dream but being away from home whilst doing it, doing great shows, travelling and achieving great goals but wishing family and friends could be there with you to see it firsthand… it makes you want to go further and bring something of value back.”

From musings on relationships in ‘CTR’, to Arno reflecting on all he’s accomplished so far in ‘20th Century’, the evolution that spurred Return To Raji is perhaps most evident in the triumphant ‘Daze’. Though buoyant on the surface, lyrically ‘Daze’ sees Arno draw on wisdom well beyond his years to navigate a difficult period, where forces both internal and external were weighing on his mental health. Speaking to the track, Arno shares, “Looking back, I can say I forgot a lot about myself in that space but the power of the track is in regaining energy, autonomy & feeling motivated once again. It’s about coming out of a DAZE and seeing a future again.”

Since becoming the first hip hop artist to win the triple j Unearthed High competition in 2017, Arno Faraji has become a mainstay of Perth’s bustling hip-hop scene, and is now at the forefront of a greater, nation-wide rap explosion. Inspired by the grooves of Kaytranada and Smino, his verses have the ability to move between the playfulness of Goldlink and the ferocity of Childish Gambino, and this refreshing approach to hip-hop has cemented Arno as one of the genre’s most exciting and forward-thinking names.

Not only a jack-of-all-trades across rapping, production and songwriting, Arno Faraji is a force to be reckoned with on the live stage as well: captivating crowds across Vivid LIVE, Groovin The Moo, FOMO and Yours & Owls Festival, and collected fans while warming stages for Little Simz, Rejjie Snow, Cosmo’s Midnight and The Streets among others.