360 ready to spin for UC

Lauren Hollands

26 August 2014: Headlining his first Australian tour, hip hop star Matthew Colwell – better known as 360 – will be taking over the Refectory on 3 September to spin his new album for the University of Canberra crowd.

In the first time he's played on campus since Groovin' in Moo 2012, 360 said he's looking forward to coming back to the nation's capital but has a few nerves from following up on his success from hits including 2011 'Girls Like You'.

"I'm very, very excited to be back, I cannot wait! I'm a bit nervous though, in my peak a couple of years ago I wasn't nervous about anything because we were just killing it everywhere, we were just like smashing it! I just want it to be perfect this time as well," the 27-year-old said.

Hip hop star 360 is bringing his tour to UC. Photo supplied

The tour follows the release of his highly anticipated third album Utopia, an album that he believes proves why he is one of the biggest names in Australian hip hop.

"I was very hungry with this album to prove myself as a rapper. I was really, really working on my craft a lot more and trying to change my flows and studying up on other rappers," he said.

"I feel like I'm forever evolving and that's one thing I stick by is to keep evolving and not be afraid of change."

Drawing on influences from US hip hop heavy weights A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolboy Q paired with studio time with producer Stylez were the ingredients necessary for a change to his usual flow on his latest album, focusing his rap specifically on his most recent personal experiences.  

Utopia will be 360's first solo Australian tour. Photo supplied

Having quit his construction management traineeship, 360 signed to his first record label in 2007, releasing What You See Is What You Get in 2008 and shot to fame with his second album Falling and Flying, scoring 10 nominations at the 2012 ARIA Music Awards.
 
After his sudden rise to fame, 360 said he hit a breaking point after becoming severely underweight and partying most nights of the week as an outlet of escape, crediting his then girlfriend for helping him through it all.

The change to sobriety is another achievement the ex-apprentice has added to his list of successes, next to being named 2011 Channel [V] Oz Artist of the Year, winning the 2011 Jagermeister Most Hunted Award and Best Independent Hip Hop Album at the 2012 Australian Independent Record Awards.

Now, 360 has put a new spin on his own life, sharing the stage with childhood idol Eminem at Rapture 2013 in his first sober performance and running record label Soulmate Records with fellow Aussie rapper Pez.

He said even if he were to now change paths and study somewhere like the University of Canberra, he'd still find a way to work in music.

"The thing is I wouldn't be able to be an engineer or anything like that. I would have to be in promotions or public relations in music or something. I just want to be doing something involved in music, I can't see myself doing anything else, I have to be creative," he said.

Being at the peak of his career and having the power to speak to the younger generation, he is pushing the message to other Australians to chase their dreams.

"If you are a young kid and you have a hobby or a passion or something that you are passionate about; chase that passion and go for it, don't just think it's impossible because anything is possible.

"I've proven that I'm just your normal Australian kid and I went for it and I didn't stop – that was the mentality."
 
360 will be performing in the University of Canberra Refectory on 3 September. Tickets available here.