The 22-year-old will support 360 in his two local shows this week. The gig is part of the Melbourne rapper's national Utopia tour.

Kale has made "little silly songs" since he was 13 but started to take music more seriously in the past two years.

He cut his teeth in online rap competitions then started doing more gigs to get his name out there.

Kale said this show is a step in the right direction and hopes it's the start of a big year.

"I was stoked when I found out I would be supporting 360 - it's a pretty exciting prospect," he said.

Kale has known 360, aka Matt Colwell, personally for years.

The pair first talked online when Kale was 16 before they met in person after one of 360's gigs. They've stayed in contact ever since.

"He's always taken an interest in what I was doing," Kale said.

"Most of the time when he comes through Newcastle I'll get up on stage and do a bit of hyping for him. We've done some songs together but I've never actually supported him with my own stuff. Now that I've finally been able to put on a proper live show it made sense to."

Kale said his long association with Colwell will help calm his nerves but this is not the first time he has performed with a big name in hip-hop: he was a supporting act for Bam Bam and Mantra when they performed at Newcastle.

"The Bam Bam show was really successful. He was really into what I was doing so it was a good look for me. And the Mantra show was in late 2013 and it was one of my first shows," he said.

Kale said getting recognition from bona fide artists was reassuring.

■ Kale will perform with 360 at The Cambridge Hotel tonight, Thursday, April 23, and at Doyalson-Wyee RSL this Sunday, April 26. For tickets, go to 360music.com.au.