ops:x with Masego (DJ Set) and Jordan Dennis

Melbourne collective The Operatives launch their brand new series ‘ops:x’ with a very special DJ set from Masego, the platinum-certified multihyphenate who won the world over with his gloriously unique sound.

The event will also see brand new music from Jordan Dennis, C-PASH, Crybaby, Dijok and Swerv, as well as a special presentation by The Listening Party including Honeydew, Mac Mayor, P.Dazey, x8nder.m and ​​DJ Naru. It’s the first in a series of events that will soon be followed by a Bourke St Courtyard day party with Soulection badman Jarreau Vandal. The series also has a unique offering of a double pass for both shows, a cost-effective answer for those planning to attend both events.

Jerry Poon (Director of The Operatives) says, “ops:x marks the beginning of a brand new spot, a destination for music, fashion, art and like-minded souls. We will be announcing small markets within the gigs for young designers as well.”

Jamaica-born, Virginia-raised, and with a globally-attuned ear, Masego is an artist whose creativity has no bounds. The multihyphenate is a self-taught singer, songwriter, rapper, DJ, and saxophonist. As part of his self-described ‘TrapHouseJazz’ genre, he uses playfulness, humour, and suave sensitivities to carve out a sound all his own. Masego—whose stage name means "blessings and prosperity" in the South African language Tswana—has received glowing praise from NPR Music, Pitchfork, VIBE, Vogue, The Fader, Highsnobiety, VICE, and more.

‘Lady Lady’, his 2018 debut album boasting the Platinum-certified lead single ‘Tadow’, cemented his rising starpower. The album landed on several Billboard charts, including No. 4 on Top New Artist Albums Consumption, No. 13 on R&B Album Sales, No. 22 on Heatseekers Albums, and No. 40 on R&B/Hip Hop Album Sales charts. Since the album’s release, Masego has toured the world, headlining sold-out tours, gracing festival stages across every continent but Antarctica, and performing alongside Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, Thundercat, J. Cole, Ari Lennox, and more.

His 2020 ‘Studying Abroad’ EP found him upping the ante with standout tracks like the D’Mile-produced ‘Bye Felicia’, ‘Silver Tongue Devil’ with Shenseea, and ‘Mystery Lady’ with Don Toliver, the latter of which has surpassed 80 million combined global streams. A coveted collaborator amongst his peers, Masego has lent his musical handiwork to projects for Kehlani, Ari Lennox, Alex Isley, ELHAE, SiR, and more. He recently contributed a new song, ‘Somethin' Ain’t Right’, alongside JID and Rapsody, to Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album. Outside of his own musicianship, Masego is a mentor to fellow artists, a businessman, and a visual storyteller with many more tales to tell.

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri & Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the owners of the land on which we operate, where sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to their elders — past, present & emerging.