Canberra hip hop duo, Coda Conduct, are Sally Coleman and Erica Mallett. Forming mere months ago with a rapidly growing fan base and an impressive and promising array of performances to boot, these girls are a pair to keep on your radar.

Sally and Erica also make up 1/6 of local collaboration Capslock Collective. The project consist of six, local, hip hop acts who are raising awareness and placing Canberra on the hip hop map. Alongside the Coda Conduct girls, Capslock Collective consists of Context, Nix, Semantix, Stateovmind andToddla. 

I caught up with the pair for five quick questions.

How long have you been together?

We met two and half years ago while backpacking with mutual friends in India and first stepped on stage together a little over eighteen months ago. We actually attended the same high school and college, but never met due to our one year age gap.

Tell us a little about your background.

We were both born and raised in Canberra and have listened to Aussie hip hop from the age of 13 or 14. We didn’t have many friends who were also interested in the same styles, so once we met and started talking, we decided on the spot “Let’s just be rappers.” Since we formed, one of us has been in Sydney and the other in Canberra, but we have continued to perform.

What about your style?

We’re a hip hop duo. Our style has been described as “Thoughtful and sincere, to cheeky, upbeat and braggadocio.” We have a love of live performance and an infectious energy on stage.

What type of events have you played at?

Since forming, we have performed at an eclectic range of events including ANU and UC O’Day/Stone Day, Fashfest, hip hop nights, a vegan festival, the opening night of Mardi Gras at Sydney Town Hall, house parties, film screenings, and unfortunately got rained-out from performing at GIO stadium before the Brumbies. We were just recently lucky enough to play a gig alongside Violent Soho and fellow Canberrans SAFIA, as well as supporting Joelistics at Transit Bar.

Any pipeline projects?

We’re currently working on our debut EP with Canberra producer Detal, and organising gigs to promote other artists – stay tuned!