SOMA + BRAZEN BARBIE TEAM UP FOR HEADLINE SHOWS THIS MAY
This May, two of the brightest stars in the Aussie hip hop scene will team up for two very special joint headline shows, with Sydney eclectic sorceress Soma and Melbourne-based rap guru Brazen Barbie set to join forces. With each artist headlining their respective hometown headline show, Soma and Brazen Barbie will perform on Saturday May 10 at The Chippo Hotel in Sydney, and on Saturday May 17 at The Laundry in Melbourne, with both artists armed with some brand new material primed to dazzle fans in the live setting.
Tickets for Soma and Brazen Barbie’s headline shows go on on sale to the general public on Tuesday April 1 at 10am AEDT from Oztix and Moshtix.
A powerful songstress fluent in blending neo soul, electronica and alternative hip hop with her own unique flair, Soma’s chameleonic artistry developed at a young age, expanding into her solo work that effortlessly straddles relatability and razor-sharp execution. Drawing her creative moniker from the idea of nourishment for the soul, Soma’s blurring of genres and expectations centres music as a universal language, capable of healing, connectivity, and as a powerful avenue for navigating the complexities of the digital age.
Kicking off 2025 with the release of her debut mixtape COBRA, Soma traversed themes of life, love, loss, self-discovery, letting go and taking control, with 11 powerful tracks enticing you into Soma’s staggering creative universe that stylistically spanned hip hop, futuristic soul and beyond. An artist renowned for her ability to fuse timeless charm with raw emotion and modernity, Soma’s cutting-edge creative aesthetics transcends onstage, with her live performances also offering an abundance of energy, connection and storytelling, resulting in a transformative experience that will be on full display this May alongside fellow Aussie powerhouse Brazen Barbie.
“This is a really exciting collaboration for me!” enthuses Soma of the upcoming shows with Brazen Barbie. “Brazen Barbie and I have been supporting each other from afar for a while now. I actually came across her incredible talent online, and I was just drawn to her energy, her voice, and her raw, unapologetic style. She’s someone who really stands out, and I couldn’t help but follow her journey and see how she was taking the Australian music scene by storm. I’ve always admired her confidence and how she represents herself as a powerful, multicultural woman in this industry. Our connection makes sense, not just because of the mutual respect we have for each other’s artistry, but because we both share similar backgrounds as multicultural women in the Australian music scene. I grew up in a diverse environment that exposed me to a wide range of music and sounds, which shaped my unique style. Similarly, Brazen’s roots are deep in her Kenyan-Australian heritage, and she channels that energy in her music, too. We both come from a place of richness in culture, and it’s such a beautiful thing to bring that to life through music.”
Kenyan-Australian, Perth-via-Melbourne artist Brazen Barbie is a genuine force to be reckoned with, wielding a compelling voice, bold lyricism and a rawness that pierces the heart and the mind. An increasing fixture on the Australian R&B and hip hop scenes, Brazen Barbie’s musical flame first sparked in primary school, with her early experiences playing cello and singing ultimately leading to her pursuing the steps of the likes of rapper Gangsta Boo and crunk pioneer Duke Deuce; but eternally with her own voice laced throughout. Previously performing at Sydney Fringe Festival, BIGSOUND, and SXSW, Brazen Barbie also started off 2025 with a bang via the release of a new track: Sweet Talk.
A sleek and bold outing, Sweet Talk channels Brazen Barbie’s ever-burgeoning trademark authenticity along with nods to some of her earliest influences, including Missy Elliott, Eve and Megan Thee Stallion. A matured release that steps into some new territory for the Melbourne-based rapper off the back of a string of potent singles released in 2024, Sweet Talk will be on the menu for fans this May in a live setting, as will Brazen Barbie’s unapologetic world where females reign, perfectly complemented by teaming up with fellow femme rising star Soma.
“Expect to be immersed in an unapologetic world where females reign, egos are slaughtered,” shares Brazen Barbie of the upcoming shows this May. “I’m impenitent with my message and presence. I love wordplay, and making music that makes people feel something, whether that’s hyped, empowered, confident, or feeling heard/understood.”
“Soma and I connected through the scene and admire each other’s work,” adds Brazen Barbie. “We’ve got that mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s craft so it makes sense to join forces and turn that into something even bigger. Our juxtaposing styles complement each other. I’m really excited for these upcoming shows because I’ll be performing some brand-new stuff, including a few tracks that push into different genres. I’ve been experimenting with new sounds, and it’s been really exciting finding ways to blend them with my style. It still has that Brazen flavour I’m known for, but with a fresh twist of the unexpected.”
Tickets for Soma and Brazen Barbie’s headline shows on onsale to the general public on Tuesday April 1 at 10am AEST from Oztix and Moshtix.
SOMA + BRAZEN BARBIE – 2 NIGHTS ONLY TOUR:
SAT 10 MAY | THE CHIPPO HOTEL, SYDNEY | 18+
Tickets available www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Ticketek Outlets
SAT 17 MAY | THE LAUNDRY, MELBOURNE | 18+
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets