Mantra is fast becoming one of Australia’s most eminent hip-hop artists. After setting a new benchmark with first solo effort Power Of The Spoken, the Melbourne emcee is back with an explosive new release entitled Speaking Volumes. Combining both musical proficiency and articulate character, Mantra has delivered a seamless, holistic album. Speaking Volumes exhibits the intricate philosophizing idiosyncrasy of Mantra’s rhymes.

Publicly, yet astutely labelled ‘your favourite rapper’s favourite rapper’, it was no surprise that an inundation of accomplished names stepped forward to contribute. Speaking Volumes features an impressive array of guest artists such as Promoe (Looptroop Rockers, Sweden), Drapht, Urthboy, Illy and many more. Production-wise, the album boasts a stylistically diverse selection of sounds; each producer bringing his own realm of sonic brilliance to the fore. Speaking Volumes credits beats from the likes of M-Phazes, El Gusto and Mista Savona among others.

‘Language and words have been important to me my entire life. I believe them to be crucial to not only music and art, but to life and to humanity. They are humanity’s finest achievement, and our most valuable (non-physical) resource. I consider them to be one of the only passions in my life, and one of my only strong suits. I refuse to engage in, condone or support violent behaviour, as I believe it to be futile and appalling, as well as something that has scarred my life, so my only option is to fight with words.’ Mantra

Speaking Volumes is out now through Obese Records and available where all good Hip Hop is sold. 

This Friday evening at Revolver sees the launch of a new quarterly grafitti exhibition called ‘Seasons Of Change’.
This event will focus on the Royal Deviates Crew (RDC) It will also celebrate the 25th anniversary of the crew.

RDC artists Jors, Shem and Prowla will host the event. Many items will be available for purchase including:

- Limited edition prints signed by Jors and Shem
- T shirts and hoodies
- Original RDC artwork on display and for sale
- Mix CDs by Jase

The highlight of the evening will be a rare DJ set by Prowla (Nuffsaid)

SEASONS OF CHANGE EXHIBITION – RDC 25th ANNIVERSARY
This Friday 2 September 6pm – 9pm (free entry) Revolver Upstairs 229 Chapel St, Prahran

www.facebook.com/seasonsofchange

Before Art Of War disappeared into obscurity, they released Slob A Knob which featured on a early Obese compilation. There was much talk of Art Of War becoming the biggest thing in local hip hop circles since sliced bread. Unfortunately, while they did make some decent follow up releases, nothing was able to stand up to this single. Slob A Knob was a fuck you to the music industry and people perceived ideas of what Hip Hop should be. A classy song all round, no seriously..