HussyKat Under Control Interview

Feels Like I Won The Lotto

After releasing his successful single 'Feels Like I Won The Lotto' last year, Sydney artist HussyKat is back with his Debut album 'Under Control' available now.

The Baghdad born, Egyptian raised rapper has gone face to face with his feelings on this 8 track packed album, exploring the themes of past events and upbringings in his life. He also touches on the notion of mental health and how important the issue is in modern society.

The concept album has been a goal of HussyKat's since pursuing music as an artist, being influenced by past classic concept albums such as Sinatra's 'In The Wee Small Hours' and Kendrick Lamar's 'Good Kid, M.A.A.D City', Hussy feels content with this body of work and hopes his message connects with his listeners.

With majority of production on 'Under Control' by the way of Stuart B (Illy, Timomatic) and engineered by ARIA Award winning engineer Neal Sutherland, it's safe to say HussyKat has set the pace with this debut album.

Interview with HussyKat

Question: How would you describe your music?

HussyKat: Unorthodox – I make sure that the melodies are catchy and that every single line has at least two meanings. I try have quoteables ! I try and come up with things that have not been said before.


Question: What inspired Under Control?

HussyKat: The environment I am in I guess. I know all about the danger of being depressed and feeling like you have no one. I have seen the closest people to me resort to substance abuse to cure their loneliness. I know all about the stigma surrounding mental health, we get judged daily by people who know nothing about the things we go through. I wanted to address the issue of mental health in an indirect way. Like if you want to get people to stop drunk driving, talking about the consequences of drunk driving with an example of someone who suffered because of drunk driving is better than just saying "Hey! Don't drink and drive!"


Question: What message do you hope to spread with Under Control?

HussyKat: I wanted to normalise being not normal. I wanted people who are struggling to fit in and dealing with depression to not be ashamed of saying it out loud.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

HussyKat: Lady Gaga , Amy Winehouse and Danielle Webber the Melbourne artist! Like I love watching Danielle paint! I can do it for like ten hours straight, so it would be awesome if I can have her at a show and bore her with my music (laughs).


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

HussyKat: Definitely recording! I have never performed live as I have crippling anxiety and stage fright. Plus I have the coolest sound engineer Neal Sutherland!


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

HussyKat: I want to be remembered for making music that had a purpose. Also, I want people to listen to my music and be like "daymn, how does he even come up with these lyrics?"


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

HussyKat: Lady Gaga – Amy Winehouse – Kendrick Lamar – Drake – Eminem – Meek Mill – Heaps of Egyptian music by artist you probably have never heard of!

Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

HussyKat: I wouldn't say I am "into the music industry". I make beats in my bedroom and record songs in my bedroom when the neighbours aren't being too noisy. I just happen to be lucky enough to work with people like Neal Sutherland, Stuart B, Dom Cork and Taka Perry who are actually in the industry.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

HussyKat: Lady Gaga for sure!


Question: What's a typical day like?

HussyKat: I'm doing my masters in chiropractic at the moment and working two jobs so I'm either working or at Uni. I have a chronic case of back pain and it's "Under control" at the moment thanks to my chiropractor Daniel but sometimes I get severe episodes of pain so I have to leave whatever I'm doing and head to his clinic.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

HussyKat: Like I love it when more than one person interprets a line I wrote differently. I love getting messages from people I've never met telling me how much they've enjoyed my music. Aside from that, being an independent artist can be very stressful.


Question: Can you share your socials?
HussyKat: Absolutely, I'm @hussykat on everything.


Interview by Brooke Hunter