Iggy Azalea’s surprise performance at Jumanji Festival in Melbourne

AUSTRALIAN star Iggy Azalea made a surprise appearance at the rap-focused Jumanji Festival at the Melbourne Showgrounds last night.

Tyga and Iggy perform at the rap-focused Jumanji Festival at the Melbourne Showgrounds last night. Picture: Ben Symons.

AUSTRALIAN star Iggy Azalea made a surprise appearance at the rap-focused Jumanji Festival at the Melbourne Showgrounds last night.

AUSTRALIAN RAP STAR IGGY AZALEA CALLS AMERICA HOME

IGGY AZALEA AT THE 2016 MEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Mullumbimby-raised Azalea, whose 2014 album The New Classic topped charts worldwide, jumped up on stage alongside LA rapper Tyga.

Tyga and Iggy perform at the rap-focused Jumanji Festival at the Melbourne Showgrounds last night. Picture: Ben Symons.

Tyga and Iggy perform at the rap-focused Jumanji Festival at the Melbourne Showgrounds last night. Picture: Ben Symons.

Azalea, an unannounced special guest on the tour, told the 6000-strong crowd it was amazing to be home, and performed her hit, Fancy.

Promoters said the inaugural festival was a sell out — no mean feat, given Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars are in town, and Golden Plains and Pitch festivals have ramped up at Meredith and The Grampians, respectively.

Rap superstar Lil Wayne headlined Jumanji with a powerful set punctuated by the fact that (a) he got into Australia without the usual visa hassles, and (b) he was only five minutes late on stage.

Hip hop miracles do happen.

Lil Wayne performs at the rap-focused Jumanji Festival at the Melbourne Showgrounds last night. Picture: Ben Symons.

Wayne’s hour-long bracket included Mr Carter, Pop That, A Milli, Got Money and Mrs Officer.

Backstage, Tyga reflected on his just-released album, Kyoto, his most introspective work to date.

“I wanted to speak on emotions that I never really spoke to before,” he told Confidential.

“I never really spoke directly with my female audience this way.”

His ex-girlfriend Kylie Jenner was firmly crossed off the list of talking points, but Tyga, born Micheal Stevenson, said a new song, U Cry, alludes to heartbreak.

Tyga performs at the rap-focused Jumanji Festival at the Melbourne Showgrounds last night. Picture: Ben Symons.

“It’s a metaphor,” Tyga said. “When you’re in a relationship, or in love, you feel the same emotions. Whether it’s mentally or physically, you’re both kinda hurt by it.”

He sought solace and inspiration in Kyoto, the Japanese city, for his new music.

“I found a lot of inspiration there. I’d visit the temple, and I’d start writing,” Tyga said.

“The trees, the nature, the traditions … if music could look like a place, it would look like Kyoto. It’s bright and warm and inspiring.”