Created In Partnership With Spotify
On Wednesday, June 24th, Sydney rapper Hooligan Hefs took over the Bat & Ball Hotel in Redfern for an exclusive homecoming, high-octane performance. The event kicked off Spotify’s Turn Up Aus Live series for 2026 and gave Hooligan Hefs a chance to debut tracks from his brand new album Sixth Sense.
Emerging from Western Sydney, Hooligan Hefs has established himself as one of Australia’s defining hip hop voices. His blend of unfiltered lyricism and high-impact energy has resonated well beyond home shores, helping him rack up more than 500 million streams worldwide and earn multiple platinum and gold ARIA accreditations.
Hefs first made serious noise with breakout track “No Effect”, a release that marked him as a standout presence in Australian rap. He followed it up with “SEND IT!”, a hit that dominated playlists and became a fixture in clubs and festival sets across the country. Across headline shows and releases that have left a clear mark on the culture, Hefs has cultivated a deeply engaged fan community while continuing to influence the direction of a new wave of Australian rap.
Jess Gleeson
This was proven when 100 dedicated fans packed out the iconic venue on a mid-winter Wednesday night. Hooligan Hefs delivered his signature Western Sydney fusion of rap and EDM and was also joined on stage by fellow rappers Youngn Lipz, Hooligan Skinny, and DAY1.
“Linking up with Spotify for Turn Up Aus and getting back in a room with fans in the city where it all started for me is big,” said Hooligan Hefs. “These are the people who’ve been backing me from day one and showing love throughout the journey. Australian music has got its own sound and its own stories, and the more we back local artists, the bigger we can take it.”
Turn Up Aus aims to amplify the local talent through live events and fan experiences. Clearly, it’s working, as in 2025 local music consumption was streamed 223 million more times by Australian listeners than the previous year.
Jess Gleeson
Inside Bat & Ball Hotel, the energy barely dipped as Hefs tore through fan favourites. “IYKYK (They Know Who)” with Hooligan Skinny drew one of the loudest responses of the night, while “Tell Em I’m Doing Eetswa” and “SEND IT!” had the packed crowd jumping. For fans who’ve followed Hefs’ journey from Doonside to the stage at Rolling Loud in Florida, Spotify’s intimate showcase was a celebration of just how far he’s come.
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In true Australian fashion, the rapper couldn’t resist offering the crowd a shoey for the road before staying to meet and greet fans and take a few photos. Hooligan Hef’s debut album, Sixth Sense, also dropped at midnight, turning Spotify’s Turn Up Aus event into an unofficial album launch. Fans got to hear tracks before the rest of the world, solidifying the rappers’ connection to his audience and creating a fan event to remember.
Hear more Australian music with the Turn Up Aus Spotify playlist.
