SKAI ISYOURGOD (揽佬) is reshaping the hip-hop scene for today’s generation. Performing for the first time in his sold-out debut Australian Tour, SKAI was an entertainer not to be missed.
Born Chen Xuhai, SKAI has carved a distinct space in the music scene with his sharp lyricism and infectious beat. His sound bridges modern hip-hop with his Cantonese heritage, blending cultural identity and raw expression into every verse. Fans were able to connect with his honesty, rhythm and the confidence he brought to each stage.
SKAI first gained widespread attention through social media, where his tracks ‘八方来财 (Stacks from All Sides)’, ‘因果 (Karma Code)’ and ‘大展鸿图 (Blueprint Supreme)’ went viral. Each release showcased his ability to merge melodic hooks with reflective storytelling, building a loyal cult following across borders. Going viral, SKAI delivered pure vibes, even when much of his international audience couldn’t fully understand his lyrics. His use of catchy Memphis-style beats and conversation rap made his performance easy to follow. Misheard lyrics made him a meme, but his beats stuck for the trends. The rhythm, flow and energy spoke louder than words, proving that music doesn’t always need translation to connect.
The night kicked off with a DJ set that set the mood before SKAI appeared on stage. His entrance was not unexpected and felt very familiar, resembling what I’d call a typical Chinese uncle. Dressed in a simple polo, shorts, cap and sunnies, SKAI’s laid-back look added a touch of humour and relatability.
Throughout the night, SKAI showed off his sharp humour, throwing jokes and proverbs that kept fans entertained. Between tracks, he turned casual banter into introductions to his next tracks, creating a fun and engaging flow. His relaxed energy connected easily with the crowd while his effortless confidence made him even more likeable.
As someone who also swears by Nin Jiom Pi Pa Gao cough syrup, ‘念慈庵 (Nin Jiom)’ stood out as one of my favourite tracks from SKAI’s set. It was funny, clever and relatable. SKAI even had a bottle on stage, which he handed to a lucky fan. Beyond the humour, the song also reflected on SKAI’s pride in his heritage and culture, like much of his other tracks. The song’s title nods to the traditional Chinese herbal syrup itself, which is sweet, smooth and surprisingly effective, much like SKAI’s delivery that night.
SKAI is a well-loved and talented artist. Although his work draws mixed opinions for how he fuses culture, belief and heritage, SKAI remains fiercely loyal to his storytelling. His music bridges traditional roots with today’s hip-hop scene, showing a love and pride for his roots while also pushing the genre forward. Personally, it would have been nice to include some interactive moments in English as a nod to SKAI’s non-Chinese-speaking fans.
While SKAI did give the audience the option between Mandarin and Cantonese at the start of the night which was thoughtful, it left some attendees feeling slightly left out. Still, SKAI’s storytelling through his VCRs (pre-recorded clips) bridged the gap. The subtitles made it easy for everyone to follow his narrative and still stay connected to the story that the artist wanted to tell.
Performing in Australia for the first time, SKAI brought unfiltered energy to Melbourne fans on Sunday, October 19th at Max Watts, the Melbourne crowd erupted as SKAI closed with fan favourites ‘八方来财 (Stacks on All Sides)’ and doing a double encore of ‘大展鸿图 (Blueprint Supreme)’. His stage presence was electric with a mix of gratitude, charisma and precision. SKAI’s music masterfully closed all language barriers with everyone’s united participation.
Proudly presented by ACY Live, the 2025 Australia Debut Tour「大展鴻圖，八方來財」marked another milestone in SKAI’s rising global reach. He performed in Melbourne at Max Watts in Melbourne on Sunday the 19th of October and wraps up the Australian leg of his tour on October 21st at The Triffid in Brisbane.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.acylive.com
https://www.instagram.com/acylive
https://www.instagram.com/skaiisyourgod
Photography by VISPENN Photography.
