For as long as Hazey Haze can remember, his life has revolved around music. Throughout an illustrious career, the rapper has established himself as a legend of the Limerick hip-hop scene. But before the sellout shows and famous flows, it was a childhood dream of performing that drove Hazey to pursue a career in the arts.
“I always used to get emotional watching films as a child, seeing people waiting backstage to go out. Music is everything to me; I’ve probably gone more of my life with it than without it. It’s the be-all and end-all to me, really”, the artist revealed.
Hazey would begin to build a name for himself by posting raw rap songs on Facebook. In 2015, the artist debuted alongside Size and MCB as a part of the hip-hop trio Same D4Ence. A period of unprecedented experimentation helped establish the vibrant local rap scene we see today.
“No word of a lie, we thought we were the only rappers from Limerick. We were down in my aunt’s coal bunker with the door locked, rapping on one phone and recording on the other. It was pitch black in there. Now everyone and their nanna raps.
“When I started rapping, it wasn’t that cool or anything. It was kind of like, ‘Is this fella actually rapping and posting himself?’ It wasn’t a thing you did… But now, [for] my niece and younger sister, it’s normal for them to see it”, he said proudly.
Hazey Haze has made his mark on his hometown
Since setting out alone in 2018, the rapper has navigated his way to the forefront of Limerick hip-hop. His debut album, “Is Mise”, showed that the MC wasn’t to be taken lightly, while successful collaborations with eclectic producer 40Hurtz further cemented him as a local icon.
Hazey credits an upbringing in St. Mary’s Park as inspiration behind what he describes as a “raw, mantra-ish” sound. The Island Field has always supported their local hero. As he flies Limerick’s flag on a national stage, the artist insists everything he does is for his community.
“Everything I’m writing is about where I’m from. Nearly every video I’ve done has been in The Island. I used to never want to leave The Island or go any further because I felt awkward”, he said reminiscently.
Throughout the rapper’s decade-spanning career, he has released critically acclaimed albums, been featured on national radio, and collaborated with some of the hottest names in Irish hip-hop. However, his proudest achievement lies closer to home. It’s every Limerick boy’s dream.
“Number one is getting my photo up on the local chipper Stix; that to me is stupid. Even when I go in there to this day, I walk in and I’m like, ‘That’s mad.’ Me next to Phil Lynott like… No matter what happens to me, I’m up on Stix’s wall”, he declared with a laugh.
A new style of Hazey Haze music is on the horizon
This year marks a period of transition for Hazey Haze. After years of dominating the Limerick rap scene, he reveals his next solo project will be his most ambitious yet – a folk-inspired album titled “For all the Island Field.”
“It’s really nice; it’s different completely. There’s no type of hip-hop, rap, or any form of writing that is close to rapping. It’s singing! This is way out in the ocean for me”, the artist emphasised.
For now, we can only speculate about a potential release date. But Hazey promises fans that an intimate gig outside Treaty City Brewery on the 20th of December will celebrate the landmark project.
You can stream the Limerick native’s newest folk-inspired single, “Eileen Óg”, here. For those wondering about his go-to Stix order, by the way – a chicken curry cheese roll with chips and 2 cans of Sprite is enough to satisfy this Limerick legend.