Forget the aqua blue pools outside Hollywood mansions or the graffiti-lined streets of New York, the perfect place to shoot a modern hip-hop video is Canberra, according to rapper Kayo Marbilus.
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Marbilus and a booty-shaking cast of about 20 Canberrans recently filmed the video for brand new single After Party at Northbourne Avenue bar Treehouse. The bar's dark wood interior, sexy dim lighting and bar-to-ceiling collection of rare spirits made for the perfect background for Marbilus' new song, which he's hoping will become a "Canberra anthem".
"In terms of commercial tracks, it's my best song to date," he said.
"It's all about the catchy chorus, and people are saying this is definitely my most catchy.
"The song is about a guy who goes the club and the girl he's been seeing rocks up with her boyfriend.
"But it has a real positive energy and vibe to it and I'm hoping Canberra can claim it as their own."
Marbilus - who was born in Ghana but grew up in Canberra and began rapping at the age of 15 - collaborated with fellow Canberra hip-hop artist Big Timi on the new track. It means he's one step closer to releasing new album Ink, Flesh and Gold, due to drop later this year.
Marbilus has had a huge 2017, releasing single Told You So with Detroit-based singer-songwriter Mike Posner, of Cooler than Me and I Took a Pill in Ibiza fame. Marbilus has amassed an Instagram following of 26,000, providing an instant audience every time he releases a new track.
"In this day and age with social media, everything is just done independently and you do it yourself," he said.
"It's important when you do drop a single to produce a good music video because it goes hand-in-hand and if the music video is good, it will sell itself and people will share it and talk about it."
While he's pushing for global success, Marbilus said he'd love all future film clips to be filmed in the ACT.
"I just love the landmarks here, that feel on the street - whatever I do I'm always pushing Canberra," he said.
The film clip for After Party is directed by local teen Matthew Robinson and features Canberra magician Nomad performing card tricks. The video clip is due to go live by the end of July.
