Hilltop Hold All The Keys

The Hilltop Hoods put out a Facebook status earlier today that truly Rattled The Keys To The Kingdom in which they rule. The status promised a new track if 5000 users liked the status. And within minuets the status was flooded with likes receiving over 10000 likes in just under an hour.

The status reads "Let's have some fun. If we get 5000 likes on this post we're going to leak a track off 'Drinking from the Sun'." The reaction from fans clearly came as a surprise for the Hoods with a second status that soon followed, "Wow. Give me a minute."

The track Rattling The Keys To The Kingdom, produced by Suffa was released via Youtube shortly after the impressive reaction from the fans. The reaction from fans to a simple Facebook status is tribute to everything that the Hilltop Hoods have done to date and is a clear indication on how highly anticipated their Sixth Studio Album, Drinking From The Sun set to be released through Goldern Era Records on the 9th of March. 

So Phatchance is dead?

So Sydney based emcee Phatchance who is part of I Forget Sorry has today announced that "Phatchance is Dead". Don't worry Chance Waters is still alive though. With the completion of his second album approaching, Chance's change of stage name form, Phatchance to Chance Waters is a clear sign that his music is evolving into bigger and better things. Today in his announcement of the change he had this to say, "When I was 16 and started out performing Phatchance was a great name for me, I was a battle rapper and it suited what I was doing really well" and that  "I wasn't happy with the name Phatchance anymore, when people asked what I did and what I was called I felt like every-time I said the name they got an impression of the type of music I make that just wasn't what I'm trying to do." Make sure that you go cop Chance Waters latest release now for free through the I Forget Sorry website.

Sky' High signs to Elefant Traks

Elefant Traks is one of the country's largest hip hop labels as you all would know have have a particular sound so it was a surprise to everyone when Elefant Traks came out this morning and announced that they had signed Sydney artist Sky' High. It has been said that Sky' High's raw aggression seemingly puts her at odds with many of the Elefant Traks family, however her song writing skills and sheer talent are undeniable. 

Sky' High spent her childhood growing up in Ultimo and Maroubra housing commissions, surrounded by a drug and violence life style however she was determined to break the hold and get out of the rut that she seemed to be stuck in. In every way Sky embodies what hip hop is.

Make sure that you check out her free 5 track ep, Your Highness which is available now at www.skyhighforever.com and keep a close eye out for her debut album which is due to drop through Elefant Traks in May 2012.

I Love It - Hoods sign U.S. Contract

Without argument the Hilltop Hoods have been the leading name in Australian Hip Hop for many years with countless tours under their belt both national and international along side an awesome discography its no surprise that if any aussie act was going to be successful on a global scale that the hoods would be leading the way. It is with great pleasure that Golden Era Records have signed an exclusive agreement with Universal Music Groups award winning independent marketing, sales and distribution company, Fontana. The agreement will mean that the Hoods new album, Drinking From The Sun, due out March 9 will be distributed across the United States via Universal and as of today the 17th of January the lead single from the forth coming album, I Love It Feat, Sia will be released in the U.S.





When the agreement was announced by Ron Spaulding who is the president of Fontana he had this to say. “When I was in Australia, I was introduced to The Hilltop Hoods by Dylan and was blown away by the sheer quality of music they were producing; coupled with their success in their native country, we are excited to introduce them to the United States,” stated Mr. Spaulding. “Golden Era is a great partner and we look forward to working with them.”


I Love It Featuring Sia has also just been announced as platinum in Australia. In addition to this ESPN has just launched their NFL Playoffs and Superbowl ad campaign led by the Hoods new single, I Love It Ft. Sia check it out below.

How You Been?

Last week Thundamentals, Tuka, Jeswon and DJ Morgs dropped their latest film clip for their second single from their latest album, How You Been? - Foreverlution. The clip sees the boys catch up with old mates and focus's on who they were before they got together as the Thundamentals. For this clip they also opened up to the fans to send in photos of them and their best mates for a photo montage at the end so if you send in a photo or two check it out!

January Feature Artist of the Month - Coptic Soldier

To kick off the new year we caught up with Coptic Soldier of the independent Sydney label, I Forget Sorry to talk about his new mix tape and his upcoming residency at Sydney's Local Taphouse. Make sure that you check out his mixtape along with the other I Forget Sorry mix tapes that were all released on Christmas Eve.

BOTA:You have just released a mix tape entitled "Their Sound, Our Wings" along side fellow I Forget Sorry Artists; Johnny Utar, Phatchance, Smiles Agin and Mind Over Matter. Can you explain the title and where the main concepts for your mix tape came from?

Coptic Soldier:Well Smiles came up with the idea to do the mixtapes, so we just went for it. To explain the title of my mixtape it basically came from the fact  that I am using other people's beats/ music I.e. "their sound" and am using it for our experience/journey I.e. "our wings".

I guess that some would say that for a label to release a mix tape for each of their artist's at the same time could be risky and seen as flooding people with new music. When making this decision did this ever come across as an issue of concern for yourself or any of the other artist's in I Forget Sorry. 

It was something we raised but we basically went "stuff it", let's drop all mixtapes as a big Christmas present and flood people!!! Haha.  Based on the reactions from our facebook fans/twitter followers/hard copy sales I think the risk payed off, people really responded well.

BOTA:One of my favourite tracks from all of the I Forget Sorry mix tapes has to be Lordy May. Yours said this in a press release following the release of the mix tape, " Is all music spiritual? Regardless of your religious beliefs I believe that it is, and as I wrote this song I guess I came to the realisation that if music is only used as a tool for selfish needs, i.e. gaining fame – then it is the true abuse of one of the greatest gifts mankind has been given." I and many others would have to strongly agree whit this statement however I also believe that for musical to truly be spiritual it must be shared with others. So i guess that there must be some sort of trade off when it comes to someone like your self, you must want to succeed in your profession but at the same time keep it real and alive, How do you achieve this balance?

Coptic Soldier:I guess quality and reach are the two key factors for me. We want to get our music out to as many people as possible and try to achieve the highest quality music we can. Without charging for our music there is no way we would be able to achieve this initially let alone make it sustainable. Ideally yes, I think music/art should be free, but capitalism doesn't allow us too. Haha

BOTA:The track "On Edge, Ft Koolta" from your latest mix tape sees you reminisce about the mistakes you made when you first started out in the scene, signing to a small record label (Nurcha Records). What advice could you give to aspiring artist out their who are looking to break into the scene?

Coptic Soldier:Don't release music until you have mastered your craft, and don't sign to the first label that gives you half a look.

BOTA:In late 2011 you released a film clip for the track "Liquid Company" which was filmed at NIDA after winning the Triple J Unearthed & NIDA's Video Clip competition. What was it like to work with the team at NIDA what were the ideas behind the film clip. Secondly, the first lines of this track really sums up what its about. "Feed me more booze before the room evacuates cause i need this as an excuse to communicate." What inspired this track?

Coptic Soldier:I basically wrote the track when I was out one sat night pretty distant from the party around me. I simply wrote what I saw.

Working with the NIDA team was awesome, I thought they did a great job in capturing the story and feel of the song visually. 

BOTA:I guess that its safe to say 2011 was a fairly successful year for yourself, with the release of Sound of Wings 2 (acoustic) and now Their Sound Our Wings mix tape along with a three week residence at Sydney venue, Oxford Art Factory. What can we expect from Coptic Soldier in 2012? (talk about the residency at The Local Tap house)

Coptic Soldier:First week of Feb I will start a 3 month residency at Sydney's Local Taphouse every sat night. I'll be playing with a 3 piece band this time (really stripped back), I can't wait!!!!

Kerser VS 360

Kesrer is one of the most in your face lyricist to burst onto the scene after his success in the Australian rap battle scene. His latest battle saw him take on Melboune's 360 where both of them agreed to do a promo battle where it was not timed or judged. Both brought their shit but in my opinion Kerser had his shit locked down and took it in one and three. Check it out and be sure to catch Kerser on his upcoming national tour. (See details below)



Fri 10th Feb – The Gaelic – Sydney
Sat 11th Feb – The Cambridge – Newcastle (U18)
Sat 11th Feb – The Cambridge – Newcastle
Sun 12th Feb – The Wall – Sydney (AA)
Fri 17th Feb – The Gov – Adelaide
Sat 18th Feb – The Gov – Adelaide (U18)
Fri 24th Feb – The Brisbane Hotel – Hobart (U18)
Fri 24th Feb – The Republic Bar – Hobart 
Sat 25th Feb – The Espy – Melbourne
Sun 26th Feb – The National – Geelong (U18)
Fri 2nd Mar – The Prince Of Wales – Brisbane
Sat 3rd Mar – The Never Land Bar – Gold Coast
Fri 9th Mar – The Civic – Perth
Sat 10th Mar – The Manning Bar – Sydney w/Mickey Avalon
Thu 15th Mar – Fanny's Nightclub – Newcastle w/Mickey Avalon

The Herd - Woodford

So the herd just wrapped up Woodford music festival with this recap video. Check it out!

Mantra Voodoo Music

The second single from Mantra's latest album Spoken Volumes sees a celebration of Mantra's gift with wordplay and the use of metaphor. The track is truly brought to life  by the rupturing bass and pan flute synths that characteriser's Mantra so well. Shout outs must be given to both the DJ Wasabi for his cuts and to Abstrakt for the production of the track. Mantra describes this track as one of his favirotes on the album. "One of the albums most bangin’ beats for sure. Produced by young buck Abztrakt, this track is all about the flow. I got really funky and loose with my rhyme patterns, trying to put as much movement in my vocal rhythms as possible. Theme-wise, the track is full of wordplay, much of it based around voodoo and black magic." Mantra.

IFS MIXTAPES

So the I Forgot Sorry Christmas Mixtapes dropped over the christmas break and all I can say after listening to them all through and through is WOW. It simply left me asking myself whats next from this collection of Sydney artists and nothing but big things can be expected in 2012 is the answer. Head over to the I Forget Sorry website to Download your free digital copy of the mix tapes or to the Store to purchase a limited edition hard copy.