YIBBY SHARES NEW SINGLE 'CHESS NOT CHECKERS' FEAT. ARNO FARAJI
'yibby is most definitely one to watch. there's a unique, cool flow and cadence.'
- Declan Byrne, triple j
'His laidback yet razor sharp flow perfectly connects with Clockwork Odyssey's on-point production to perfection'
- Pilerats
'Yibby’s chameleon-like aggression and delivery makes his coming-of-age tales that much more important.'
- Tone Deaf
Today, Sydney hip-hop artist YIBBY returns with his new single 'Chess Not Checkers', featuring Arno Faraji. The track, which was premiered on triple j, flips the energy upward from February's darker, slow-burning cut ‘Cigar’ and last year's 'No Sweat', with grime-inspired hip-hop production by Clockwork Odyssey and Kid Fiction. Fusing Yibby and Arno Faraji's equally inspired flows, 'Chess Not Checkers' makes for an excitable and commanding record with the two local trailblazers signature stamps all over it.
On the track, YIBBY shares; ''Chess not Checkers’ comes from a saying me and the bros would say, meaning that you have to think long-term or strategically about things. When someone would make a smart move we would kind of say that. When I get into the studio and heard the beat I knew it kind of reminded me of that feeling, it was high energy and natural but still calculated. Me and Arno had linked when he came to Sydney for his tour, when I listened to the demo back I knew he’d be right for it, his verses have crazy bounce.'
STREAM 'CHESS NOT CHECKERS
(FEAT. ARNO FARAJI)'
Born in the town of Debre Tabor, Ethiopia, YIBBY was adopted at the age of two-and-a-half and brought to Sydney. Developing his interest in music largely through watching ABC’s Rage as a kid, YIBBY combines early rap influences of Kanye west, Jay Z & Pharrell with contemporary artists including Joey Bada$$, Isaiah Rashad and Earl Sweatshirt. Coupled with his love of the underground rap scene, YIBBY’s sound has blended to form his traditional-meets-modern amalgamation of crisp wordplay and flows over a varied range of production.
From his abstract instrumental choices to feature artist choices, YIBBY is intent on carving his own footprint in the Australian music scene. Signed by talent agency Niche Productions prior to releasing a single, YIBBY went on to deliver a concise, largely conceptual project on 2019’s EP Lost in Translation. Follow up singles ‘Poke (Feat. Raj Mahal)' and the triple j-premiered ‘No Sweat’ arrived as YIBBY built up an impressive live following, landing a spot on Bad Friday’s lineup, undertaking his own headline tour and supporting artists including Winston Surfshirt, Drapht, Arno Faraji and more.
With rotation on stations including triple j, Beats One Radio and FBi, and praise from publications including The Guardian, Acclaim, Purple Sneakers and Sniffers, YIBBY continues to gain impressive accolades for his distinct sound in Australian hip-hop. With 2020 seeing him feature on Manchester legend Black Josh's 'Fifa Street' and the collaborative release ‘Ballin’ with Angelo The Poet, YIBBY is carrying on his forward momentum into 2021. Sparking off the year with the darker cut ‘Cigar’ featuring London heavyweight Lord Apex, YIBBY returns to more uptempo territory with his latest single ‘Chess Not Checkers’ alongside Perth’s Arno Faraji.