Boorloo / Perth-based rapper-producer Arno Faraji today shares his latest single ‘LADY’, drawn from his forthcoming debut mixtape Return To Raji out September 12. LISTEN HERE + WATCH THE VISUALISER HERE.

As the next track to set the scene for Return To Raji, ‘LADY’ scratches the project’s territory consistent with growth, creative focus and trust. Another wholly reflective display, ‘LADY’ is raw and direct with a brooding bassline that reinforces the dichotomy between addiction and sense of judgement. “LADY is about addiction to people or things that aren’t the best for you but have a powerful hold on your life” Arno shares. “Though things may be exciting for a time you have to evaluate if any of it is worth it. Most times you can discern what’s good or bad for you though the withdrawals are crazy but you’re better off without.”

Featuring a string of releases over the past year in ‘On The Move’, ‘Gravity’, ‘Black Sunday’, ‘Free Flow’, ‘Boss Energy’ and ‘FXITH’ – embraced by triple j, triple j Unearthed, RAGE, Acclaim, Check Check, AUD$ and more – Arno’s ability to balance golden-era hip-hop with gritty production takes charge in setting a new cue for the next phase of his craft. Boasting a level of finesse with inimitable energy, Return To Raji instils messages of perseverance, vulnerability and authenticity with a hip-hop ethos, abiding by his own logic.

Speaking to his upcoming mixtape, he continues, “There’s a lot of messages through the tape, but they keep coming back to channelling that energy that’s within you. Focusing on yourself. Focusing on your craft. Focusing on your energy. There’s affirmations and songs about going somewhere. It’s all about channelling that energy and focusing it on wherever you need it in your life.”

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. Garnering acclaim through a series of self-written and largely self-produced solo tracks, Arno has collaborated with the likes of REMI and Sensible J on ‘Bless (What It’s Like)’, Two Another on ‘Just A Phase’, Milan Ring-assisted ‘Scalin’ and the recent ‘Struckdown’ with Tseba.

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. With his debut mixtape now on the horizon, #FARAJISZN is only just beginning.