Chamillionaire, D12 and Obie Trice to headline Heatwave Music Festival
SEVERAL years ago, young Middleton teen Patrick Whyntie would bombard his hip-hop idols with emails claiming he was the best rapper in the world.
SEVERAL years ago, Patrick Whyntie would bombard his hip-hop idols with emails claiming he was the best rapper in the world in an attempt to springboard his music career.
In a fortnight, the now 24-year-old budding entrepreneur will host several of those idols at his brainchild, the Heatwave Music Festival.
The three-day camping and music festival has attracted some of the world's biggest hip-hop artists, including Grammy nominee Kid Cudi, seminal rap outfit D12 and Grammy winner Chamillionaire.
Patrick, who also raps under the stage name Mastacraft, says he is still pinching himself that he obtained almost $2 million in financial backing to stage Heatwave, which will kick off at Middleton from January 12-14 before traversing Australia.
"When I was 16 I used to find my favourite artists' websites and email and nag them and say 'I am the best rapper alive, can I have a collab?' and you'd never get a reply back. And now I am talking to them and inside I am freaking out, but I'm trying to play it cool," he said while scanning the paddocks outside Middleton that will be home to about 5000 fans for three nights.
It has not been smooth sailing for organisers, however, with the Liquor Licensing Commission only granting a liquor licence late last week after the Alexandrina Council had opposed the event.
SA Police also raised concerns about potential fire risks, but Patrick said all those concerns had been adequately addressed and promised fans a laid-back and fun festival.
"It's not going to be this gangbanger hip-hop crowd like some people have said. It's going to be a very relaxed camping atmosphere, because it's big and people won't be stuck in each others' faces getting angry," he said.
Rap star Obie Trice, who will perform at Heatwave, said he was impressed that a group of young rural people could pull off such a major coup.
"The Heatwave guys are the youngest international promoters we've taken shows from and that says a lot about how they do things out there," he said from the US.
Grammy winner Chamillionaire said he was also looking forward to performing in such a remote setting.
"I wasn't going to come to Australia after a few other tours and promoters fell through until the Heatwave guys approached, and the rest is history," he said.
"Don't let age fool anyone - these guys are going to pull off something historic. I don't even know where Middleton is!"
Tickets to Heatwave are $139 for three days and nights camping and are available through Moshtix.