NEWS: Sleek The Elite Is Getting Back In Business
Sleek The Elite and Paul Fenech in ‘Pat Pizza: Back In Business’. Image: Twitter
Words: Matt Innes
Last year saw the return to our screens of beloved TV series ‘Fat Pizza’, and with it the return of iconic Australian rapper Sleek The Elite.
Sleek The Elite is the real-life stage persona of rapper and producer Paul Nakad, who portrayed a hyper-realistic version of himself in the original series that aired on SBS from 2000-2007.
“It’s a bit reminiscent of the old days,” Paul says of reprising the role in 2019.
“It’s been good catching up with Pauly [Fenech]; he’s very busy but I appreciate that he’s included me. As you know, Annalise [Braakensiek, d. 2019] has passed, God rest her soul – so sort of mixed emotions but more good ones than bad, no bad ones. It’s just surreal, it’s been 20 years.”
Though fans are no doubt thrilled to have Sleek back on their screens, equally exciting is the fact that he is back working on new material with long-time friend and producer DJ Soup.
“More importantly, what it’s done is it’s prompted Soup and I in an uncanny way to get back in contact,” Paul says.
“I haven’t done much music recently; I’ve been writing some lyrics but that’s about it. I’ve been working with a producer in Sydney called DJ Faz.
“Through ‘Fat Pizza’, not directly but indirectly, Soup and I hooked back up and there’s an EP coming out. I’ve really enjoyed catching up with Soup and doing some of these songs. It’s the next chapter in the Sleek music saga, if you like.”
As Paul embarks on the next phase of his career as Sleek, he wants to move beyond the one-dimensional stereotype the character is known for and present a more mature version that’s better represents who Paul really is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToJQAkiSBR8
“I said I don’t want to do the sex things and drugs things anymore,” he explains.
“I maybe want to be a role model if I can. Probably not the ideal character for a ‘Fat Pizza’ character,” he adds with a laugh, “but I’m happy with what I’ve been able to dish up. From a personal point of view, I’ve grown up and I’d like my art, acting and entertaining on TV included, to reflect that.”
After reviving Sleek The Elite in part for ‘Fat Pizza’, Paul is now focussing his efforts and energies on his return as a recording artist. He says that after the forthcoming EP, the next step is a full album.
“There’s enough material there,” he confirms, “it’s just about juggling life, family, work, obligations, and then unfortunately the stuff I really love doing comes last. I have to make sense of what I can offer. I still feel I’ve got a lot to offer.”