There’s a lot more happening in Brisbane than outsiders give the city credit for. For OZ Polo, that’s not a theory—it’s something he’s been actively building.
Part artist, part promoter, part cultural instigator, OZ Polo has carved out his own lane by bringing music, fashion, nightlife and community into the same room. Through OZ Polo and Polo Motion, he’s developed an identity that feels distinctly his own: polished but underground, aspirational but accessible, and heavily focused on creating experiences people actually want to be part of.
His approach is less about simply throwing another party or dropping another track and more about creating a world around what he does. From the mystery and anticipation surrounding Polo Motion’s house parties to his relentless focus on branding, social media and audience connection, OZ Polo understands that in 2026, building a career means building a culture around yourself.
That momentum recently reached another level when he stepped onto the stage at Brisbane’s iconic Tivoli Theatre to open for ChillinIt420 at a sold-out show. Performing to his biggest crowd yet—and alongside an artist he grew up listening to—gave him a chance to prove that the work he’s been putting in is starting to translate beyond his immediate circle.
But the ambition goes much further than one show or one city.
OZ Polo believes Brisbane has moved from being Australia’s perennial underdog to becoming a serious player in the country’s music and nightlife landscape. He wants to be part of that shift, while simultaneously building a personal brand capable of travelling well beyond Australia.
For someone who openly admits he has plenty left to prove, the confidence is unmistakable. He’s betting on Brisbane, betting on his audience and, most importantly, betting on himself.
We caught up with OZ Polo to talk ChillinIt, Polo Motion, Brisbane’s changing cultural landscape, independent music, branding, the Australian hip hop scene and why he believes the next five years could be very different from the last.
FRANK 151 × OZ POLO
Frank 151: You just opened for ChillinIt420 at his sold-out Brisbane show at The Tivoli. What was that experience like, and how did the crowd respond?
OZ Polo: The experience was everything I dreamt and hoped it would be, and more. Not only was it my biggest venue and biggest crowd, but it was also my biggest opening-slot opportunity to work alongside such a national artist and someone I grew up listening to.
I deserved the job. Every moment leading up to running out on stage built me up for that situation, and the crowd’s response was nothing short of insane. From knowing my songs and chanting with me, to the post-show feedback on my social media, it was amazing.
Frank 151: ChillinIt has been one of the biggest names in Australian rap for years. What did sharing the stage with him teach you, and what advice or inspiration did you take away from that night?
OZ Polo: Not only did I get an essence of great stage presence, which I pride myself on and could take a lot from during Chills’ set, but I was reminded of why I do what I do. It solidified the fact that making it as an artist in Australia is possible with the right team and fan base.
Frank 151: You’ve been putting a lot of energy into both your music career and Polo Motion. How do you balance being an artist while also organising some of Brisbane’s biggest independent parties?
OZ Polo: Luckily for me, the two spaces—being an artist and throwing parties—merge enough that it doesn’t feel like I’m tackling two completely different beasts.
Although the workload and the ability to creatively tap into both worlds without getting burnt out is still a struggle I’m working through. For now, I’m definitely enjoying both spaces and the process of navigating my way through them at the same time.
Frank 151: Brisbane’s music scene has really evolved over the past few years. From your perspective, what makes Brisbane different from cities like Sydney and Melbourne, and why should more people be paying attention?
OZ Polo: Brisbane has this underdog mentality like no other. Everybody loves a come-up story, and Brisbane is exactly that.
Melbourne and Sydney have been the only two cities in conversation when it comes to artists in Australia, especially nightlife. To now see the old heads and higher-ups of the industry showing love and appreciation to a scene I feel like I’ve been a part of building and pushing onto the national stage is something I’m proud of as a city.
Brisbane is now looked at as one of the biggest competitors in both the artist and nightlife spaces, and that’s something I wouldn’t have ever imagined three to five years ago, when it was thought of as a place to start your career but eventually move on from and head to Sydney or Melbourne once you were ready to be serious about progressing.
Frank 151: Polo Motion has developed a strong reputation for bringing together music, nightlife and culture. What was the original vision behind the events, and how has that vision changed as the community has grown?
OZ Polo: My whole mission as an artist and industry personality was to create an atmosphere like no other, where people feel that euphoric type of feeling and leave with memories of being part of something they haven’t experienced before.
The event space lets me apply all of that in my own way. I was sick of grungy 10-to-15-artist shows that are drawn out, where people only stay for the artist they know. So I made a way for people to party—not a club, but also something where they feel engaged and on edge the whole night.
The vision remains the same. The bigger the audience, the better.
Frank 151: Australian hip hop has never had more talent, but it still doesn’t always get the global recognition it deserves. Where do you think Australian rap sits on the world stage today, and what needs to happen for it to break through internationally on a bigger scale?
OZ Polo: I think just like The Kid LAROI and other artists who have made it past that barrier, Australia needs to drop the “eshay” rep and look more mainstream and commercial without losing the heart and passion.
By all means, tell your story, but we need to earn the want for others to hear our story. The big-fish-small-pond mentality and being comfortable in your bubble, along with unnecessary violent rap, won’t get us heard beyond our own country when people overseas can’t understand or relate to it.
Look at the bigger picture. Look at bigger topics and look at what’s working.
Frank 151: Independent artists seem to be finding new ways to build careers without major labels. How important have social media, live shows and community-building been to your own success?
OZ Polo: I think it’s everything.
I strongly believe in consistent branding and a strong media presence, with a community that you interact with and show your gratitude to. That is everything.
Just like my OzPolo glasses—you won’t see me in an artist space without them. Keep everything on brand, know your angle, rinse the fuck out of it and make it something people feel the need to be a part of, rather than feel like a stranger to.
Frank 151: Frank 151 recently experienced one of your Polo Motion house parties and the energy was unreal. What do you think is the secret ingredient that keeps people coming back to your events?
OZ Polo: The element of the unknown, the point of difference and class.
The fact that the address wasn’t dropped until the day of the event and people weren’t sure what the venue even looked like gave people a reason to talk and spread the word, while building hype and excitement around the event.
The point of difference was that it wasn’t a generic club night. People got a chance to have a breath of fresh air with a house-party-style event, which separated us from the rest of the event runners in Australia.
Australia is also going through a stage where the underground scene is really popular right now. For many people, including myself, I find it too grungy. It doesn’t feel clean, and it’s not my type of music.
I wanted to give people the class and LA-style elements so they could get a glimpse of what a night out in Miami or LA would be like, with the Project X-type branding still there, but on a much classier and cleaner level.
Frank 151: Looking back on everything you’ve achieved so far, what’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome as an independent artist and promoter?
OZ Polo: Honestly, giving my name credibility and giving people a reason to want to get behind me.
I’m not from these rough areas. I’m not what people see as the underdog. But I have different struggles, and being vulnerable enough to convey that was always tough.
“Who’s this white kid?” “He doesn’t belong here.” “He’s not really about what he talks about.”
In a scene so cultural and so heavily based around American hip hop, I was judged before I’d even get the chance to hold the mic or tell my story through crowd work and my hooks.
That’s something I definitely had to overcome—and still do—but it also gives me an edge and a surprise element when I start spitting.
Regardless, I’m grateful for where I started and where I’m at. Struggles are only in the way if you let them be.
Frank 151: Collaboration has always been a huge part of hip hop culture. Are there any Australian or international artists you’d love to work with in the future?
OZ Polo: Luckily enough, I’m on the path to working with most of the Australian artists I looked up to, or I already have collaborations in the works behind the scenes that I can’t reveal too much about.
Internationally, though, there are hundreds of artists I see myself working with.
The Kid LAROI, obviously. Then you’ve got 2000s artists like Jason Derulo, through to modern rap artists like Future.
If they make music about girls, then I’m all about it.
Frank 151: What’s next for Polo Motion? Can you tell us about your upcoming events, where the next one is taking place, and what people can expect when they walk through the door?
OZ Polo: We have boat parties lined up this month, morning rave events the next, and a “Drake Only” event loading too.
Expect nothing short of “WOW” when entering, and expect nothing less than leaving with memories of a night you haven’t experienced before—or since your partying days as a youth—but on a much higher level.
There are also many shows as an artist TBA.
Frank 151: Finally, where do you see yourself—and Australian hip hop—in the next five years? What’s the long-term vision for OzPolo, Polo Motion and everything you’re building?
OZ Polo: I see myself as one of the biggest names, not only as an artist but as an influence within the Australian scene.
I see myself overseas, representing Australian culture and continuously putting on for my country.
I have no doubt in my mind that I’ll be one of the biggest things to come out of this country. You can look back here in five years and I’ll tell you that I called it.