This was published 5 years ago
This Canberra rapper just added 'reality TV star' to his CV
By Bree Winchester
When you're a rapper on the verge of breaking through globally, is "reality television show judge" really something you want to add to your CV?
"Hell yes," says Canberra rapper Kayo Marbilus.
Rapper Kayo Marbilus gives feedback to host Julia Zemiro on 'All Together Now'.Credit: Channel 7
"It depends which way you see it. I thought on one side it could be - not really lame - but a bit interesting.
"But at the same time it's just gonna be so cool."
Marbilus is one of 100 - yes, you read that right, 100 - judges on brand new Channel 7 music series All Together Now.
The reality show, conceived earlier this year in the UK by BBC One, sees wannabe singers and musicians face a huge crowd of 100 judges with the aim of getting as many judges as they can on their feet dancing. (Picture the lineup of LCD-lit judges on The Voice, but on steroids.)
Canberra rapper Kayo Marbilus is one of 100 - yes 100 - judges on Channel 7's new reality music show 'All Together Now'.Credit: Channel 7
The more judges that stand up and dance, the more likely the contestant is to progress through to the next round.
Marbilus, who was born in Ghana but grew up in Canberra and began rapping at the age of 15, was headhunted by Channel 7 for judging duties in April. He describes the talent on the show as "fierce".
"There were a number of artists where I was one of the first three or four judges to press my buzzer and just get up and dance," he says.
"And some artists get like 40 or 50 judges standing and singing along with the rest of their song - Australia's gonna love it."
All Together Now is hosted by Irish singer Ronan Keating and ex-RocKwiz frontwoman Julia Zemiro. Joining Marbilus on the giant judging panel are industry legends like Rhonda Birchmore and The Choirboys' Mark Gable, as well as other music experts including opera singers and managers.
"What I like about the show is it's done pretty fairly, it's so equal - you're getting judged by people from the diversities of music," he says.
It's been a big year for Marbilus, who launched new single Bonnie and Clyde a matter of weeks ago and is due to have a song released through a major label producer in the United State "anytime now".
"When people ask me I just say the words 'I'm blessed'," he says.
"I know I deserve to be here but at the same time it's like damn, they picked me [to be a judge on All Together Now] out of all these people, you just keep pinching yourself.
Marbilus (with friend Sandi O'Dea) famously shoots all his video clips in Canberra. This clip, for his song 'Down Low' was shot at Kingston restaurant Salotto.Credit: Rohan Thomson
"Like they say, having dreams and working hard is like shaking up a Coke bottle, at some point it's gotta give."
So will Marbilus fill the lounge room with friends on Sunday night to celebrate his very first appearance on national television?
"I'll be honest with you, I haven't really made a fuss about it - I'm even considering sitting at home and watching it by myself and soaking it all in," he says.
"I'm a bit of a - I don't want to say introvert - I'm really out there but sometimes i just like to enjoy things on my own, with no distractions."
All Together Now premieres on Channel 7 this Sunday at 7.30pm.