Firstly, apologies to those who still haven’t had there reviews done.

We’re a very small team here and other things often take a priority. We will get around to you ….eventually. If you would like to contribute to the site please let me know. We’re always looking for new reviewers for gigs and albums.

There is some shit on the Internet at the moment, about Kanye West jumping on stage at the VMAs while Taylor Swift accepts her award for Best Music Video. Blah Blah Blah/mentions Beyonce Blah Blah Blah.

I really don’t give a fuck, why do you people find this shit interesting?

Instead of giving you the link you can do a search for yourself. I did however post a picture of Kanyes missus topless.

As some of you may have noticed, I have changed the site design and have also intergrated a forum. I think the this new design is a bit cleaner than the previous one and will have more functionality. If you have a chance, please join the forum. There is nothing much going on their atm but I intend to use that section of the site for giveaways etc.

J.WATERS & RETAINER DOUBLE ALBUM LAUNCH AT THE LAUNDRY
Celebrating the release of two bold new albums for 2008; Pang Productions present a huge double-launch party for Retainer’s debut album ‘Valley Of Black Daisies’ and J. Waters’ self-produced compilation ‘The Children Of Captivity’. This historical event boasts guest appearances from over 28 local hip-hop artists including DJ Bogues, Mata & Must, 1/6, Urban Monk, Blunted Monk, Rigorous Crew, Maggot Mouf & Dekoda, Cyclones, Class A, Fluent Form, Dragonfly, Koots, and many more. Saturday November 29 at The Laundry, 50 Johnston Street Fitzroy. $10 entry. ‘Valley Of Black Daisies’ and ‘The Children Of Captivity’ hit stores on November 8 on the Pang Productions label thru AmpHead distribution.
The Laundry – 50 Johnston Street Fitzroy
www.myspace.com/rawretainer
www.myspace.com/pangproductions

While I realise I should have been covering this from the get go, The 2008 Aria awards where held last week and after being nominated for the past 3 conscutive years our Oz Hip Hop boys ‘Bliss n Eso’ took down the Best Urban Release for 2008. This is a massive step forward for the boys and well and truly deserved. While Bliss n Eso don’t always get the respect they deserve from new headz possibly due to their party style of Hip Hop, they have been hard workers in the scene and definitely deserve this award.

I would have published thir acceptance speech but the video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Channel 10. Which is a shame.

We will try and catch up Bliss n Eso for you shortly. In the mean time you can send your congratulations to the boys by visiting their website – http://www.blissneso.com/

While it’s been a rather slow winter [well for me at least] things are definitely starting to heat up around the country. If you in Victoria this weekend, it is going to be massive.

Terra Firma hit the Espy this Friday to launch their banging new album Music To Live By. The album was highly acclaimed by the press and has been our best performing release to date, but these guys really come into their own live on stage. They’re being supported by the one and only Reason (whose own new album The Tides Are Turning is possibly the best of his distinguished career) and Melbourne upstarts Low Budget, who have honed their own live show with dozens of performances since their debut Magnasound in 2006 and are poised for big things with their release of their second album in early 09.

And if that wasn’t enough for you, on the same night and within walking distance is the Hermitude show at The Espy.

Revered amongst peers and punters alike, Hermitude come into their own on the live stage – with an uptempo party rocking show involving turntables, keyboards, MPCs, mics and visuals. They’ll be primed after a three week tour of Japan and Shanghai in September.

Partnering Hermitude are Elefant Traks’ newest signings Horrorshow. Their debut album The Grey Space has been responsible for generating one of the biggest buzzes in the hip hop scene this year. They won legions of new fans after joining The Herd on a number of tour dates but their soldout launch party in September sealed the deal. These youngsters are definitely ones to watch.

Also if your looking for some dope tunes for your mp3 player we recommend www.grounduphiphop.com

Timbaland (US) who ironically is pursuing legal action against Queensland promoters ‘Showtime Entertainment’ for breach of contract, has been accused (once again) of jacking beats and manipulating them to call his own. This time they belong to NSW Artist ‘Morganics’.

Morganics who is well known throughout the Australian Hip Hop community has posted a you tube clip with comparisons and how this all came about. Morganics had produced a track for UK artist MIA in late 2007 and it seems that Timberland liked the track so much that he jacked it and used it as his own.

Of course this is nothing new for Timbaland, he has been accused of jacking beats on more than one occasion, in fact if you do a google search on ‘Timbaland jacked my beats’ or similar you will find dozens of well known underground artists who have accused him of doing the same.

Check out the YouTube clip below.

Funkoars release date for “The Hangover” has been pushed back a month. Something I failed mention or even notice when I published there press review on Sept 2nd is that they are now being distributed by Shogun instead of Obese. The album will be distributed by the normal avenues plus itunes.com and for those that hate itunes it will also be availble on Beatsource.com

Well the DMC’s are over for another year and suprise suprise Melbourne’s Dj Perplex took first again. Perplex gained automatic entry into the comp after taking last years event. 2nd was taken out by Dj Zeke (WA State champ) and bronze went to DJ B.2wo ( Vic State champ).

Perplex will be flown to the UK for the DMC’s World Finals with the chance to win $10k and 2x gold plated Technics Turntables (cha ching).

Turntablists will have a second chance at a title this year, after a 2 year hiatus the ITF’s will return to Melbourne in November. Kieran from International Turntable Federation of Australia sighted lack of interest and funding as inherent problems with previous years but with new sponsors and a more intimate venue this year, things should be looking up. More info as it comes to hand.

Sydney duo (originally from the Blue Mountains) Hermitude are set to release “Threads” LP on September 27th and momentum is definitely gaining towards this release. Hermitude is made up of Beat duo Elgusto and Luke Dubs. This will be there 4th release since there official debut in 2003. If this track is an indication of the Album, I am looking forward to kicking back with a few brews and lounging in the sun. Funnily enough there records label (Elefant Tracks) and distribution company (Inertia Music) are pinning this as there darkest and most complex work to date….Complex maybe but darkest definetly doesn’t sit right with this track.. Anyways you can judge for yourself.

Check out “Slychain” from the upcoming album by clicking on the image.

Ayo firstly thanks to everyone who checked out the GH vid.  If you would like to be in the running for a free copy when this is released, please make sure you  register with us ( bottom right hand side) to be eligible.

Well if you don’t know who the Funkoars are you have either been sleeping under a very large rock, have recently come out of a 8-10 year coma or just don’t like your local hip hop. I always enjoy reading anything about these Lads. Not only do they produce some of the best music Australia has to offer, to quote Fat Tony “I won’t kill you because you so consistently crack me up”. Anyways news is they there next release is due October 25th. Here’s the press release”

Peepshow Entertainment and Shogun Distribution are excited to announce a new album from Adelaide hip hop’s original pranksters, Funkoars. The Hangover will be the third studio album from the four man crew of Mr Trials, Uncle Sesta, Sketchy Honz and DJ Reflux. Following in the sticky footsteps of 2003’s Who’s Ya Step Daddy? And 2006’s The Greatest Hits, the new album finds a more seasoned, but just as seedy, Funkoars flexing the verbal acrobatics and dynamic aesthetic that put them in the upper echelon of Australia’s hip hop fraternity.

Funkoars have maintained their profile since their last album by supporting Hilltop Hoods on their Hard Road tour, releasing a live DVD and most recently, co-headlining the massive UNIfied tour on over 40 dates nationally with Bliss & Eso and True Live. Mr Trials in particular has become one of Australia’s most sought after producers, adding his deft sonic fingerprints to entire albums by Vents and Drapht.

Lead single “Black Sally” will be available exclusively on iTunes on September 20th and you can wake up with The Hangover on October 25th.

Man Love: http://websitetoolbox.com/mb/funkoars?forum=93074

Thanks to everyone who checked out the Trem interview. I have received some good feedback via email and although there are always a few haters, no one really gives two fucks about them anyways as they are normally partially retarded and can’t see past their own nose to say more than ’shit interview’.

With all the rumors following the Hoods new label announcement, I thought I should actually follow up with the lads to find out what exactly is going on.

There was a murmur that the Hoods had started the label to co-sign a deal with a major possibly to increase there international exposure and distribution. While they didn’t confirm or deny that, would it really matter if they did? I mean, any one with any business sense would understand that moving product is not as easy as dropping it off at the shop and hoping it sells, especially in terms of pushing it outside of Australia.

I asked Suffa if there was any ill feeling between the Hoods and Obese over there departure – “It was just time for us. Running our own label was something we always wanted to do. I guess people want to read more into it than there was but there’s no hard feelings between us and Pegz. I think the moves been good for Hip Hop already – since Funkoars, Downsyde and ourselves left Obese they’ve taken on some younger guys and some of the older guys are getting a bigger push – so on an artist level it’s good for everyone.As far as Golden Era goes our plans are simple, put out some good music. Our records going to be the first cab off the rank and that’s due out mid next year”.

With the Hoods $5k initiative (www.arts.sa.gov.au) closing a couple of weeks back it will be interesting to see how the label moves forward and of course i will be keeping my eye out.

On another note, I did intend to have an Immortal Technique interview with a bit of a different slant on what you might have previously read about him. Alas he has not responded at least his booking agent hasn’t forwarded his responses, so I will wait with bated breath on that one.

More Oz Hip Hop updates to come shortly, including some album reviews and gig reviewws, so please ad us to your favourites and check back shortly.

p.s. I expect there are a tonne of gramatical errors above, which I will fix up later.

Peace

Ultramagnetic Bronx Emcee, Tim Dog, supposedly owes Obese records owner ‘Pegz’ 3 Large. And Pegz wants to fight him for it. Tim Dog who rose to fame with his release of “Fuck Compton” back in the earlies 90’s due to his despise for the gangsta rap mentality that had been brought about by NWA and the apparent lack of love from record executives, will apparently be back down in Australia later this year. I have no further information on that gig at this time. Pegz posted his message last night on ozhiphop.com but it had mysteriously dissapered by this morning. Maybe it was a joke or maybe he remembered revenge is a dish best served cold. Either way if something was eventuate I don’t think their would be any doubt in punters minds on who would win this fight. An aging rapper or a rapper in his prime?

My money is on Pegz $1.03-$3.90. Comment is being sought from both parties.

With much speculation over the past few months about the future of Obese Records and Hilltop Hoods relationship, It looks like fans can put there worries aside as it looks like Hilltops have found a new home at Golden Era Records. While there was no public announcement from either parties it looks like they have parted ways mutually. Obese will continue with it’s rostered acts less Hoods, Funkoars and Downsyde and focus on Spit Syndicate,Muph and Plutonic and Pegz of course I am sure there will be more up and comers in the works.

It appears Hilltop Hoods have gone back to basics and started there own records label. But can anyone really be surprised by this? It looks like the Oars will now be signed to this label as well. Time will only tell how these fellas progress. But I think it is safe to say they won’t have any problems having gained a vast amount of experience over the last few years and knocking heads with world artists. The hoods recently played at the Glastonbury festival in the Uk alongside a shit load of other big acts I can’t be bothered looking up at the moment.

Visit the new Hoods online home here – Golden Era Records http://www.goldenerarecords.com.au/

Now most people know that when it comes to an Ebay and Oz Hip Hop and if you have been collecting Oz Wax for a while, that Ebay is a gold mine. The small runs that oz artists can afford make buying 2 or 3 copies a very worthwhile investment. As was the case this week when a fan parted with over $700 for Sheer Talent released by Melbourne stalwart “Trem” back in 98. Not that long ago or at least it doesn’t seem like it to me. At an average cost of $20 anyone will tell you that is one hell of a return.

There’s nothing I can’t stand more than fuckwit writers whose opinions I don’t care for. Normally this is due to there lack of understanding of our culture (hip hop) or the fact they pander to either one side or another. This blog will cover everything Australian Hip Hop wise and a little bit of overseas. While It will mostly be underground shit a little commercial may sneak in, probably when I find something amusing or feel like paying out on it. You can expect interviews with Aussie artists and articles from myself and other artists I can convince to share there opinion.