Shine The Line with Pez

Melbourne based Australian Hip Hop artist Pez is one of four main artists to be featured on The Line initiative, a youth marketing campaign promoting respectful relationships.

Pez performed his song ’Shine‘ at one of the shows, and it was an instant hit. A revised version of the track will be released as a part of the campaign early next year.

Extending his contribution to the project even further, Pez invites all his fans to help create the music video for the track by sending in their own personal images using The Line drawing tool via http://www.theline.gov.au. Pez asks his audience to send him any image that “comes from an honest and positive place”.

Pez grew up in a musical family, listening to his parents’ music from the 60s and 70s. “There was such an explosion of talent at the time. I feel in time things have started to become more manufactured and it is harder to find that magic.” So what music inspires him? “I am really inspired by anyone who makes soulful music, music from a deeper place.”

What is most interesting about this young musician’s story is that he didn’t start off as a musician. As a youngster, Pez’s dream was to be a college basketball player in the US. This was no pipe dream either. As a teenager, Pez made it to the State team and was well on his way to making his dreams a reality. However, when he was around 18 years old, a knee injury caused him to stop playing competitively. “I didn’t know what to do and became depressed”, he says. “In that time i started listening to a lot of hip hop and started writing raps. It was a release and helped me to express my darker emotions. And in time the music ignited that feeling and passion again and i knew it was what i wanted to do. it was meant to be and I am forever grateful for how it has turned out.”

When asked what inspires him to write music, Pez explains, “I have always been very inquisitive and have always wanted to know more. Learning and moving forward inspires me. I learn from my mistakes and that motivates me.” He explains, “I want to get the message across that if i can make it, any one can do it. its not easy, but it can be done.” According to Pez, “cliches are there for a reason. if you haven’t got it all figured out, but keep trying, it will get easier.”

Pez is proud to be involved in The Line initiative and says it feels great to be able to do something positive with his music. “I see it is a catalyst for change” he says. “You can chose how to express your thoughts through music and it lets you connect with people and inspire them. It feels good.”

Pez is undoubtedly one of the finest talents in Australian Hip Hop music. His single ’The Festival Song‘ reached the top of the AIR singles charts and climbed to number 14 on the ARIA Australian Singles chart. “The ‘Festival Song‘ experience was amazing. I really didn’t expect it be as big as it was”.  He humbly continues, “but what happens with that success is that people put you in a box. and the intention of my music got a bit lost. But this project has steered me back on course to the original place I started from and it has given me a chance to have a wider audience. I want to continue to inspire and do something positive.”

Stay tuned for more inspiring work from this talented artist and get involved with the Shine The Line competition before its too late!