Australian Hip Hop - History

History

In 1982 the video for Malcolm McLaren's track, "Buffalo Gals", was shown on Australian television music show, Sound Unlimited, on Network Seven. The clip was staged in a Manhattan basketball court and featured images of graffiti and break dancers. This left an impression on local Sydney teenagers who started attempting the dance moves they saw. The first Australian hip hop record released was "16 Tons" / "Humber Mania Time" by Mighty Big Crime via Virgin Records and Criteria Productions in 1987 (Catalogue number VOZC 026). The single was a Beastie Boys derivative The Melbourne based duo (Gumpy Phillips and Tricky J aka Justin Lodge) soon disbanded, in 1991 both were members of flower power group, Freaked Out Flower Children. Gerry Bloustein claimed in the book, Musical Visions, that the first hip hop release was, "Combined Talent" / "My Destiny" in 1988 by Just Us (consisting of Maltese DJ Case and Mentor).

Also in 1987/1988 former punk band turned hip-hop act, "Skippy the Butcher" performed at venues around Melbourne, most notably a residence at The Razor club around the end of 1988. Following this they joined in the first tour of RUN-DMC, playing support at the Festival Hall and Metro concerts in November 1988. After recording one 5 track EP; "Full Blown Rap" at the ABC studios in Elsternwick, Melbourne the group disbanded.

In the late 1980s, Sound Unlimited Posse became the first Australian hip hop group signed to a major record label (Sony BMG), releasing A Postcard from the Edge of the Under-side in 1992, the first major-label Australian rap album. The group initially received some criticism for their instrumental style and commercial success, particularly from other Sydney-based hip hop outfits. In 1991 a local Sydney Rap Solo Artist, KIC, only 16 years old was signed to Sony/COLUMBIA records becoming the youngest to sign to a major label. His first debut single 'Bring Me On' was an instant hit in Australia and reached the top ten charts in Singapore and Hong Kong in 1994. Also in 1992, the independent label Random Records released Def Wish Cast's album Knights of the Underground Table. After this there were a string of independent CDs and tapes released by various artists from the Western Suburbs of Sydney, an area traditionally regarded as working class, underprivileged, and crime-ridden, with a large population of immigrant inhabitants.

After Sound Unlimited split in 1994, there was little commercial activity within Australian hip hop. However, underground artists continued to play plenty of small live shows and release independent recordings.

By the early 2000s (decade), the Australian Record Industry Association began to recognise the growth of interest within Australia and then in 2004 introduced a new category in their annual awards, 'Best Urban Release' (artists working primarily within the urban genre, e.g.: R&B, hip hop, soul, funk, reggae and dancehall). The inaugural award was won by Koolism for their album, Random Thoughts. At the 2006 and 2007 Awards it was won by Hilltop Hoods for their album The Hard Road and its orchestral remix album The Hard Road: Restrung respectively. The Hard Road also became the first Australian Hip Hop Album to take the No. 1 position in the ARIA Charts in 2006. In 2008 the ARIA Award was won by Bliss n Eso for their album Flying Colours. Since 2008 The most popular old school rappers are Hunter, Drapht, Bitter Belief and Syllabolix featuring Downsyde and Clandestien. Coincidently all of these rappers are from Perth, WA.