Aussie hip-hop artist Illy called him the Sunshine Coast’s “homegrown hero” when they shared the stage at Solbar last week. Yelo chatted to 24-year-old Yaroomba rapper CaelWhip about his new single, “8am”, available on all major streaming platforms on March 8.

Yelo: What are you really doing at 8am, Cael?

Cael: If i’m not asleep, I’m heading to pick my dog up and take us to the beach for my daily clarity walk where I scheme my day and future lol.

Yelo: Who are the top 3 hip-hop artists on the Coast? Beside CaelWhip of course.

Cael: Great question. Without getting too deep, we all got our own strengths and weaknesses. I would say I am the greatest performer but in terms of actual rapping you cannot beat Wigs, that man is so talented it is insane. The Notorious Nix (pictured) is the greatest poet of our generation. He’s read like 10,000 books and probably is one of the most intelligent people I know. But all round: NO ONE can knock the hunger and drive of Harlum. That man is an inspiration to me and everyone in any genre of music or creativity on the Coast. Such an all round genuine good guy, he can spit, he can act and god damn can he hustle. This man needs an award and is my Sunny Coast hip-hop GOAT.

Yelo: What’s an alternative word for frothing, sick, slay or gold?

Cael: Hellish.

Yelo: Favourite Sunny Coast beach shower?

Cael: One hunnet, Stumers Creek. You’ve got options, you have a perfectly timed water release, great pressure, dog wash if you swing that way and just an all round great community.

Yelo: What’s your iPhone lock screen?

Cael: None other than my man Billy Gates (see supplied pictured). He holds me accountable, even though I think he’s a reptile.

Yelo: Which local mechanic do you use?

Cael: Old mate Billy Aspinall. I went to school with him and I make sure I do as many of my dealings (especially with things I lack understanding of) with people I have relationships with because I don’t trust like that.

Yelo: Which fine educational establishments did you attend?

Cael: Coolum pre-school, Coolum primary and Coolum high. (Dang, he Coolum legit!)

Yelo: Favourite teacher?

Cael: Shoutout Sally Vellar.

Yelo: What’s your go-to local servo?

Cael: Look, this may be controversial, I even feel slightly wrong saying this but 7/11 Coolum is the go. Get a cheeky little snack if needed. Although let down by its entering and exiting situation, it does just beat out United Coolum because of its location.

Yelo: With the rising cost of living, where would you set up camp if you were homeless?

Cael: I’d join the crew in Lions Park. Beachfront views, walk to all of Coolum Beach’s comforts and pleasures. It’s a no brainer.

Yelo: Where do you go for hair cut inspiration?

Cael: I got my haircut in Ho Chi Minh on a night out by a Belgian girl named Gary. I didn’t think of it at the time but of course European culture is going to clash with the usual party cuts I get in Australia. So it was not what I was expecting but it’s all about the story so I’m stoked with it. A few people have given it names but my favourite is “Kim Jong Cael” (see supplied picture).

Yelo: You’re a man of the simple threads. Where you do you source your fashun?

Cael: Clothes and things come to me. I work in the film industry so there’s a lot of T-shirts being thrown around there. My girlfriend used to work in retail so I would always get hooked up.

I fuck with vintage stores and OP shops but truly I have so many clothes. If i see something I like, I will get it, but usually if I’m paying full price it’ll be with brands I think are sick. Like these Nat Geo pants I got and I actually got a sick Bali United Jersey from an Indo bootleg recently which is dope. Also a fuck load of band/artist merch, and shit I wanna rep.

CaelWhip’s single, “8am”, will be available on all major streaming platforms on March 8 at (you guessed it) 8am.

All photos: Ben Russoniello