RIP HUNTER

A Tribute to Hunter

R.I.P Hunter - This is a track Hunter wrote and dedicated to his son Marley and will be released in 2012. Produced by Optamus who teamed up with Hunter for such classics as 'Jam Roll','Wake Up' and many more. ENJOY!

Dialectrix Rappertag

Horroshow Reflect On BNE's Running On Air Tour

A few months back Horrorshow supported Bliss n Eso as they hit the road for their Running On Air Tour. The tour took Aus hip hop right across the country and to the say the turnout was average with a few packed out gigs here and their that packed out is an understatement! The majority of the shows on tour were sold out including the Queensland gig which saw the largest crowd at an Australian Hip Hop gig with an audience in excess of 8000 people. It was said that it was the biggest thing to roll through Mt Gambir since ACDC played their back in the 1980's. Horrorshow took the opportunity to take some time out and talk to some kids at Music Indstury College about getting their stuff out and his personal experiences as an artist. The Sydney gig was defiantly a tour highlight for both Horrorshow and Bliss n Eso, both Sydney Boys. The show sold out and they put on a second gig the Saturday night as well. I guess you get the vibe that this tour was one of the biggest things to happen for Horrorshow and set the bar just that little bit higher for next time. Check out the full interview below.

Graffiti At The Island - Outpost Festival

Comming up towards the start of next week is the outpost project at Cockatoo Island with will see the largest collection of Bansky artworks in Australia also amongst many other street artist, live music and much more. One of the highlights of the festival is set to be the concert Graffiti At The Island featuring Skryptcha, The Next Step, Phatchance, Johnny Utar, Dutch and more.

Coptic Soildier - Amazing Grace Cover

I never thought that i'd hear a cover of Amzaing Grace especially a hip hop cover. But Coptic Soilder as always is mixing it up as scene throughout his work in the past, including Sounds Of Wings Acoustic. Check out his remix of this classical song below.

Crochet Crooks

The Crochet Crooks are a Sydney duo from the Inner West that like so many others in the scene are changing Hip Hop as we know it. Their music picks up from the likes of Horrorshow, Thundamentals, Spit Sydnicate and the like but takes it to another level beyond. With an amazing fusion of acoustic guitar and jazz. Added to this are the catch hooks with vocals that will blow you away. Check them out on unearthed here, and make sure that you head over to their Facebook page and like their page, deffinatly a group to watch.

All Roads EP by CrochetCrooks

Hermitude have recently released their latest single Speak of the Devil from the forth coming album due out early next year. The video features some amazing break dancing and awesome editing. Check it out its defiantly worth the time. Hermitude are due to head out on an east coast tour starting late november and into december. Make sure that when they hit your town that your there!

Friday 18th November - East  Burnswick Club, Melborne

Saturday 19th November - Pyrenees Ranges, Vic

Saturday 3rd December - Riverwood Downs Mountian Valley Resort, Barrington Tops

Friday 9th December - The Standard ( ex-Kinselas), Sydney

Sarurdat 10th December - Dickson, Canberra


Head to http://hermitude.oztix.com.au/default.aspx?Event=23186 for tickets.

Rest In Peace Hunter SBX

Today is one of the saddest days in Australian Hip Hop with the death of true legend, Hunter SBX. Hunter led a very public fight with cancer after being diagnosed in november 2009. He is truly a veteran of the scene starting out as a freestyle and battle MC in the early 1990’s before going on to host a radio programs in Perth well before hip hop had its “explosion” in Australia. As part of the SBX crew he released a total of four albums. His latest, which dropped this year saw him team up with producer, Mortar. The album saw the two reminisce on the past and the present, exploring the change from the the carefree days parting and running a muck to the truths of life, ill health, depression and relationship struggles.

Last year we saw the scene rally together from right across the country in support of Hunter and ultimately his son in an eBay auction that lasted a little over a week raising well over $11000. The auction saw rare limited edition items from local acts to some of the biggest names in the scene.

We saw in the past two years since Hunter was diagnosed with terminal cancer that he collaborated with a team of film makers as they followed him through his hard times. He had been pushing for the documentary to be screened on the ABC but as of now it hasn’t happened. Without knowing Hunter personally, it’s the only project that he had going that did not get to the public. So if there was one last thing you could for Hunter is to head over to the campaign on Facebook to get some air time for the documentary. Lets do it for the King!

On behalf of SBX, we regret to inform you all we lost our brother this morning. @HunterSBX, we love you and we always will, but we're glad you're no longer in pain. You have always been such an inspirational force in our lives and will continue to be. Our thoughts and love go out to Marley, Laura and the rest of Hunters family.

- Drapht

So sad to hear the news about hunts this morn. R.I.P brother you are a king and forever in our hearts and headphones. Thanks for the lessons and the memories...as Hazy as some of them were. I fell privileged to of played a show or two with you mate and to of spend some time. You will
Be truly missed.
 - Sec. - Soul Clap Records

RIP Hunter. Long Live The Kings.

 - Illy

Really sad to hear Hunter passed away today, he always struck me as a lovely guy and it was really sad watching him suffer so publicly, but also inspiring seeing how brave and open he was about the whole thing and how much his friends and the local hip-hop community got behind him. I have a lot of fond memories of listening to SBX when I was first getting into local hip hop and owe a lot to him for that. I really hope that documentary gets released. R.I.P.

- Phatchance

Our thoughts and prayers are with Hunter (of Hunter & Mortar) and his family. A truly inspirational member and innovator of the hip hop scene.

- Obese Records

We'd like to send our love to our WA bro Hunter and his family. Hunter always gave us time from day one. He loved 77% (although he used to say that we stole his thunder when we got notoriety for using the word c**t in our songs). Bro, you never saw the Dockers win that premiership and that breaks our hearts but you'll shine on brother and we'll raise a glass to you when it finally happens. RIP.
- The Herd

Feature Artist of the Month - Mantra

BOTA: When did you first start to record your music and have you always gone by the stage name of Mantra?

- I started recording in about 2002 (in a very humble fashion), under the name of Mantra. I did have another name very early on but I never released anything under that name. And I'm not telling you what it was!!

BOTA: Growing up who was your favorite artist and what sort of music did u listen to?

- There's no way I could pick a favourite. I've always listened to lots of different styles of music, but Hip-Hop was there from the start. I got my first Public Enemy tape when I was 7 and I never looked back. From there I got into heaps of different Hip-Hop artists and my tastes would constantly change.

BOPA: What inspired your first full length album, Power of the Spoken.

- I'd been working with groups for a long time so I just felt it was time to do a solo record. Peeps had been asking me about it for so long I didn't wanna wait any longer. I also tried to represent the full spectrum of my song writing style, so the album had lots of different themes and ideas lyrically.

BOTA: Your signed to Obese Records, how did you get noticed by obese. 

- Pegz had been onto me for a while. He'd expressed interest in my first crew Equills, and Obese actually distributed Illzilla's first EP. He'd call me every now and then asking what I was up to, and if I'd ever consider doing a solo record with Obese. So when I finally had the album finished I hit him up and he was keen. It was great having a label be so supportive from the get go, it definitely took some of the pressure off me as an artist.

BOTA: What do you wish to achieve through your music, and what is your biggest goal for your music career?

- I'm gonna take my music as far as it will let me. All I want is for people to hear it. If they like it and can take something from it, thats brilliant. If not, thats ok too. Really for me music is the only thing I've ever been good at, so its all I want to do.

BOTA: Your music has a unique sound to it, how would you best describe your music?

- I hate this question, I find it really hard to sum up my own musical style. So all I will say is this: every artist should have a unique style. If people wanna check out mine, I'd love them to, so they can make up their own minds about what it sounds like.

BOTA: Your second full length album Spoken Volume dropped early last month, how was the response to the album?

- Its been unreal. All the feedback I've got so far has been amazing. It also feels like this album is appealing to more people than the last one did. I've always been good at talking to the Hip-Hop heads, but now I think some other crew are feeling it too which is cool.

BOTA: What was your inspiration for this latest body of work?

- This album came together much more easily than the first one. I was really motivated after we dropped Power of the Spoken so I was keen to get back in the lab as soon as possible. I had a much clearer idea of what I wanted the record to sound like and who I wanted to work with so I just wanted to get it cracking.

BOTA: I believe that there is a tour coming up for Speaking Volumes. Where will the tour take you and who's coming along for the ride?

- I'm gonna be joined on stage by Wasabi and Bam Bam. At selected shows we're gonna be supported by the incredible Tommy Illfigga, and at most of the VIC shows we'll be joined by In Good Company, who have just dropped their debut album. Its gonna be fun.

SPEAKING VOLUMES ALBUM LAUNCH TOUR DATES:

• SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER SPRUNG FESTIVAL @ RIVERSTAGE BRISBANE, QLD Tickets from www.ticketmaster.com.au

• THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER KAROVA LOUNGE BALLARAT, VIC Tickets from Oztix - 1300 762 545 www.oztix.com.au

• FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER HQ COMPLEX ADELAIDE, SA Tickets from www.venuetix.com.au or (08) 8225 8888

• SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER THE LOFT, WARRNAMBOOL, VIC 

• FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER LEVEL ONE NEWCASTLE, NSW Tickets from venue (02) 4929 3067 or www.bigtix.com.au or Oztix - 1300 762 545 www.oztix.com.au

• SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER ANNANDALE HOTEL SYDNEY, NSW Tickets from www.annandalehotel.com or 02 9550 1078 

• SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER SURF COAST SPORT & REC CLUB TORQUAY, VIC Tickets available on the day

• FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER STAR BAR BENDIGO, VIC Tickets from venue (03) 5441 8222

• SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER EAST BRUNSWICK CLUB MELBOURNE, VIC Tickets from venue: 03 9388 9794 www.eastbrunswickclub.com, or via Corner Box Office 57 Swan Street, Richmond

• SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER JUMP OFF u/18 FESTIVAL BIRRARUNG MARR, VIC Tickets from www.thejumpoffu18.com

MANTRA

Speaking Volumes

Available: September 9th 2011

Obese Records | Premier Artists

facebook.com/mantrahiphop | myspace.com/mantrahiphop | twitter.com/mantra_mc

Illy, Spit Syndicate, Sietta and Phrase Rock Sydney

Well what a weekend it has been for Sydney and Australian Hip Hop. Friday night saw Illy sell out the Factory Theater in Marrickville with local boys Spit Syndicate alongside and supported by Sietta who have recently signed to Elephant Tracks. Saturday night saw Phrase launch his new album Babylon at oxford art factory backed by a live band to mix it up from the typical hip hop he has been know for in the past.

Spit Syndicate as always brought their A-game as they mixed their set up, between their new mix tape, Best Intentions - Part 1 and their previous two albums, Towards the Light and Exile. The show attracted many other Sydney artist to the crowd including Skryptcha, Dutch, Crochet Crooks, Stories For Nothing and Horrorshow duo Solo and Adiddy. During the middle of the set Solo picked up the mic and jumped on a few Spit Syndicate/One Day tracks and then played one of his own, Choose None with the help of Nick Lupi, Jimmy Nice and of course Joyride on the vocals. As always the boys made plenty of time for the fans, chilling at the merch stand taking photos, signing various items and just having a few drinks with 
the fans. 

The night would not have been complete without producer, M-Phazes provided an entertaining hip hop set with a compilation of Australian and international hip hop which included tracks from his own album, Good Gracious. 

Illy headlined the gig and rightly so, with the crowd responding to his enthusiastic stage presence. It is no wonder that Illy is turning heads in the scene and attracting new comers to Australian Hip Hop. The Chase and Same Number Same Hood were highlights of the set but Red Light Green Light was definitely the crowd favorite for the night with Illy bringing up the majority of the One Day Crew, Jimmy Nice, Nick Lupi, Joyride and Solo to help him out.

Saturday night saw Phrase back up from playing at Spring Hip Hop Festival in Queensland earlier that afternoon to officially launch his album to the Sydney scene. As you would be aware Phrase took a completely different approach to this album with no sampling or traditional hip hop beat making processes. Instead taking it back to his musical rock roots. Therefore there there was no questions to be asked when he announced that he would be taking a line up of rock bands on tour with him as support along with a band of his own for backing. 

His set consisted of tracks from his new album, Babylon and his second album, Clockwork. It was great to finally hear the new album live which showcases how phrase continues to evolve as an artist. Tracks like Burn It Down, Clockwork, Sky Light and his encore track Spaceship from his second album Clockwork were all exceptional with the live band backing him and his wife on vocals adding a new sound and appeal to these classics which we already know.

Forbes, Sprung Hip Hop Festival

Since forbes released his latest ep, Kid Been Waiting all that come from it is good news and a whole heap of hype. His ep has had noting but a great respond from his fan base which continues to grow by the day. The next big step for Forbes is to play at Sprung Hip Hop Festival in Queensland. In the video below we hear some words from the man himself on what's going on with all things Sprung and an inside into what his got planned in the future including working along side Pez to get his first LP album out some time next year. Check him out on Facebook here.

If you missed, Kid Been waiting head over to Bandcamp and cop that shit now, you won't be disappointed.

Mind Over Matter - Off The Chain Official Vid

Flash Back Aus Music Month 2010

As many of you would know each year Tripple J put on Aus Music Month. Last year they did a few special gigs featuring Horrorshow, The Bag Raiders and others. Horrorshow covered a song from the Hilltop Hoods, 1979. Before Solo preformed the song along side Adiddy and Jane Tyrell he got a little intermit explaining  his connection to the song and why it was so important to him.

"This is the first song that got me into hip hop in the first place when i was like 13. See I used to watch video hits and shit and just see all the stuff on the TV, all the gangsters, the booty shaking hoes, and the drugs and violence and I never really understood hip hop, and then my brother played me this song, and you  know the rest goes without saying"

For myself it wasn't 1979 that got me into hip hop but I was very much in the same situation as Solo until my brother played me Noseblees Section also by the hoods which led to other songs including 1979 and ever since I've been a Aus Hip Hop addict.

What was the first Aus Hip Hop song you herd, Where were you, Where did you play it?

Enjoy



1979 - Hilltop Hoods Cover, Horrorshow by bottomoftheatlas

Phrase Babylon Film Clip

Check out Phrase's new film clip for his single Babylon which has just been added to the rotation on the J's. Enjoy

Skryptcha - I Need A Dollar

Skryptcha has been working on his remix of Aloe Blacc's, I Need A Dollar and here it is. "This is one of my favourite tracks and it was a lot of fun to work on. I put a few photos of my recent trip to the US up with it as well just to share a little bit more of my story with you"

Hilltop Hoods Update

Of late there hasn't been much movement from the Hilltops but this is all set to change with the release of a new single from their forthcoming album Drinking from the Sun due out February 2012. Hilltops have also been announced to play at Big Day Out 2012 and are opening for Eminem when he plays in Sydney and Melbourne.

Phrase Babylon Tour Dates