Gig Preview: 360 comes full circle

Much-loved Australian rapper 360 will bring regional Australians new sounds and matured vocal styling with his highly-anticipated third album, Utopia.

With the huge success of his second album Falling & Flying, Matt Colwell, known by his stage name of 360, joins the likes of Hilltop Hoods and Bliss n Eso as Australian hip-hop royalty.

The album's lead single Boys Like You reached number three on the ARIA singles chart and four-times platinum sales, with Run Alone and Child also reaching platinum and Just Got Started, Throw it Away and Killer reaching gold.

"One of the main things I consider when doing an album is not following trends, I'd rather set trends," 360 said.

"I think Falling & Flying did that - no one had really done that, mixed a few genres like pop and dance with rap before," he said.

He spent two-and-a-half years after Falling & Flying's release studying the varying sounds and styles of old and new rappers to influence his new album and achieve a unique sound for Utopia.

"I definitely feel like I've evolved as a rapper and as a singer and the production is totally different to Falling & Flying," 360 said.

The artist will treat Bunbury to a high-energy show at the Prince of Wales Hotel on April 30, as part of a string of performances across Australia's regional centres.

He has performed in Bunbury in the past, including an appearance at the 2012 Groovin' the Moo festival, and said it was one of his favourite places to perform.

"We've played Bunbury a number of times," he said.

"I haven't been for ages but every time we've been there it's been insane."

Not only has 360's music matured, but his attitude toward being a role model has also - raising awareness of mental health issues and a proud spokesperson against bullying.

Now sober after battling an alcohol and drug problem, he has used his personal experience to help others gain positive attitudes toward life.

"I realised that I was in a position of power and my words held a lot of weight for kids, certain things I say would influence them," he said.

"I've got to make sure I say the right thing and because I've been through a lot of mental things myself, I know what it's like.

"If they can see someone they look up to that goes through the same stuff, it can inspire them and help them a lot."

"I realised that I was in a position of power and my words held a lot of weight for kids, certain things I say would influence them" - Rapper 360