Presenting the self-titled debut album from Sarm of the acclaimed Sydney duo That’s Them. Featuring guest spots from undisputed kings Kerser, Rates, Fraksha, Tornts, Dialectrix and Rinse (Bingethinkers), with production by Nebs, the album burns its way across your ears the same way the intense orange of the 6 panel digipack sizzles across your retina.
Never one for the same old humdrum, Sarm contrasts the sharp grime style of Fraksha with the mellow flow of Dialectrix, and the snappy bravado of tracks like I’ll Abuse You For Fun with the devastatingly honest When You Hear This.Out now through LookUp & Obese Distribution,Sarm is about to unleash volcanic heat on to the local hip hop scene.
Much could be said about Rates… an artist, a musician, a good humble guy, or a raging lunatic… either way, he is fast making an impression on the rap scene. Older brother to one of Australia’s most promising and talented artists Kerser and best mate to Jay Dee.
Rates is well known for describing this lifestyle and often giving good advice to kids and people in the same situation. This fact is evident on I Rap Because, simply stating why he chose this life and provoking quite alot of thought along the way. Rates has toured all over the country and has performed at many sold out venues all across Australia.
Rates, along with Kerser, have been gaining plenty of momentum with the new single We Here Now. The track tells a tale of their journey as artists, transitioning from an adverse development, to a fully certified identity in the hip hop community. Rates’ latest fan pleasing activity has set the scene for his album release, which is set to land later this year. Check out the new Ferocious promo filmclip below. Destroy & Rebuild is due June 14th.
Obese Records are happy to announce Rates has been signed to Obese Distribution!
Following the success of Kerser’s No Rest For The Sickest Tour earlier this year, the infamous emcee hits the road for the second time in 2013 due to popular demand, accompanied by brother Rates and hype man Jay Dee. The Kerser and Rates - We Here Now Regional Tour kicks off on the 5th of June in NSW, the tour will make its way around regional Australia throughout June and July.
On top of Kerser and Rates having just released their single We Here Now together (now available on iTunes), Rates is also due to release his debut album Rebuild & Destroy later in the year through Obese Records Distribution. Keep an eye on Kerser’s Facebook page here for further announcements including local supports and state by state shows.
Obese Records, Australia’s first hip hop label, was established in 1995 as a small record store originally named OB’s. After the business was bought and renamed by Tirren Staaf (Pegz) in 2002, the label was created as an outlet for the distribution of Australian hip-hop.
Melbourne’s emcee Reason with his album Solid, was the first release on the label, closely followed by the scene-defining Culture of Kings and Obesecity compilations. Over the course of its twelve years, Obese Records has seen success stories such as Hilltop Hoods, Muph & Plutonic, Drapht, Illy, release award winning albums, play to crowds of thousands at Obese Block Parties, and cement their places in Australian hip hop history. Current artists on the roster include Plutonic Lab, M-Phazes, Dialectrix, Thundamentals, Spit Syndicate, Pegz, Chasm and more.
The nerve centre at Obese HQ, headed by Operations Manager Fern Greig-Moore, Publicist Lindsey Martin, and Sales Manager Terry Ho, includes sales, publicity, marketing, accounts, and A &R services. In 2013 Obese Records signed its first management contract with successful underground emcee Kerser, one of many important artists on the extensive distribution roster.
As the label continues to wave the banner for credible hip hop releases in Australia, the demand for distribution has increased. Boasting industry stalwarts such as Broken Tooth Entertainment, Crate Cartel, Wordburner/Bias B, Lookup and Karsniogenics, Obese Distribution umbrellas over 100 of the country’s finest hip hop acts. Managed by Frank Mincone, The Prahran store (4A Izett Street) has become a hip hop mecca in Australia for committed fans, hosting media listening parties, in-store signing sessions, radio marathons, and its own segment on Obese TV.
After years of demographic observation, Pegz recognised the demand for a cultural hub in Frankston after noting a large portion of hip hop enthusiasts inhabited the bay side region. The decision was made to replicate a second retail store. Conveniently positioned at the heart of the township, the shop features an impressive wall piece by Melbourne graffiti artist Shem and will be open five days. Business hours are Tues – Sat 10am-5:30pm, and 10am – 6pm on Fridays. Besides vinyl, CDs, and the label’s own merchandise, Obese Records retail will stock street apparel and accessories from brands such as 1Line, Wu Tang, Burn Crew, and Kangol. Quality paints from Ironlak, Molotow will also be available to customers over 18, as well as a wide range of arts supplies, street art magazines and DVDs.
The store’s opening signifies an important time in local hip hop culture, where in the face of the demise of physical music sales across the industry, the hip hop community continues to support vinyl and CD production. With a highly productive 2013 and beyond planned, keep an ear out for upcoming Obese Records related events, and other announcements in the coming months.
Adelaide Hills hip hop collective Full Tote Odds are thrilled to announce the release their debut album Place Your Bets through Obese Records distribution. With two already highly rotated and successful singles and music videos for Southern Wind and What’s Going Down, the release of Place Your Bets is destined to ensure Full Tote Odds receive recognition as premier talents in the world of Australian hip hop.
Their latest single, Adrenaline, is sure to repeat the success on the airwaves as its predecessors Southern Wind and What’s Going Down. With its insistent guitar line, world class flow and massive vocal hook, Adrenaline is sure to become a summer anthem and a live highlight when Full Tote Odds hit the road in early 2013 to promote the new album.
The new album documents an evolution and marks the group’s arrival at a destination of musical dexterity that has given them the ability to produce upbeat tunes that are both cleverly crafted and thoroughly infectious. Place Your Bets is out now through Obese Records distribution.
Kerser, the now infamous champion of the Australian underground, is back with his second album No Rest For The Sickest. Joining forces with production don Nebs once again, the symbiotic duo continues to strengthen their unique sound, one which has taken the country by storm.
With less than one year between releases, Kerser’s debut effort The Nebulizer ran down the gates of convention, and in its wake generated a new sub culture captained by the brazen emcee. Thousands now hang on his every tweet, facebook update, wait anxiously for his next YouTube clip. Defiant his music remained untainted by the onslaught of attention, Kerser has created an honest, raw and ruthless sophomore album, his notorious conviction still intact.
Vocal contributors on the album include cohorts Rates, Nebs, and Sarm, who bring their perceptions to the table, already set by Kerser with all manner of poignant topics.
From their upcoming second album Self Evident comes Dialect & Despair’s lead single New Testament, produced by Despair, with cuts by Total Eclipse (The X-Ecutioners), and performed by Dialect. The track sets the tone for the whole record; with its emphasis on sharp lyricism, and supreme production.
“Music/Hip Hop is not limited to what’s popular or current, it is very much a feeling. So we are making records for our generation of Hip Hop fans to be appreciated in any era, whilst pushing the art forward.”-Dialect
Thematically, the album focuses on the cultural experience of Hip Hop, and speaks on D&D’s dedication to the craft. New Testament –as its name suggests, is a declaration to the music and the culture of Hip Hop, acknowledging tradition and its place among today’s society.
“Behold the New Testament. Our offering to those already listening or new to Dialect & Despair, that we are carrying the tradition and spirit of the culture that raised us for a new generation and era who appreciate Hip Hop unaffected by sales or a market. But rather built on a love for an art form. We hope you enjoy our new single!” – Dialect & Despair
One Sixth has been hip hop’s best kept secret for too long. Today, the brilliant young lyricist has released his highly anticipated debut album Electronic Mail through local indie label Pang Productions together with Obese Distribution. After winning the prestigious Hilltop Hoods Initiative in 2010, buzz surrounding One Sixth’s first LP has been building rapidly.
Bolstered by his memorable on-stage presence, and frequent stand-out guest verses, One Sixth’s name is constantly dropped by the local hip hop elite (usually in the context of “most promising” or “favourite” Australian rapper).
Notoriously personable and comical, One-Sixth has connections among all facets of the scene, and a strong and supportive following as a result. Electronic Mail is a concept album themed around the poignant and increasing apparentness of digital communication. Together with the Nokia 3310 inspired album artwork, song titles such as ‘SMS‘, ‘LOL‘ and title track Electronic Mail, surmise the digital experience.
Working alongside some of the most exciting modern producers in the Australian game, including Dyl Thomas (Polo Club), Must Volkoff (Mata & Must, Pang Productions), Tony Wolf & the late Charles Parker, and Geko (GOATMOB, Crate Cartel).
The use of evocative samples throughout the album assist to colour the tracks with clever pop-culture cues while lyrically One Sixth shines. Instantly impressive for his stylistic dexterity and use of language, the underlying messages woven masterfully through the album allow stories to unravel more after each listen. With his dulcet tones draped over illustrative metaphor and double entendre, One Sixth bares his soul with the upmost conviction.
Guest vocalists include Mantra, Maundz, Lotus, The Tongue, Candice Monique, Class A, Dyl Thomas, Fluent Form and Raven. Lead single Round The Sun, produced by long-time comrades Charles Parker and Tony Wolf, encompasses a m lange of vintage vocal samples, driving bass lines and melancholy woodwind loops. The track is especially sacred to One Sixth representing one of the last opportunities to work with Charles Parker, who tragically passed away in 2011. ‘SMS (Six Million Stories)‘ is produced by the ingenious Must Volkoff, who produced, recorded and mixed the bulk of the album.
“I hope anyone who listens to the album can see how much respect I have for music, and for my craft. There are many dimensions to who I am as a person; I try to incorporate that idea into my music, because I think a lot of people can relate to that self perception.” – One Sixth
A sample heavy track, the full base line plods alongside strings nuances. Lyrically the track empathetically examines a series of unhappy stories; the concept derived from One Sixth’s interest in foreign films, and the SBS slogan ‘six billion stories‘. Track five on the album is the mesmerising ‘Around You‘, a highlight production from Dyl Thomas. Melancholy strings, heartbeat bass lines, and boom-bap kits set the cinematic backdrop for the track. The sensitivity of the femme fatale style sample juxtaposed with the assurance of One Sixth’s flow is a moving combination. With multiple interpretations, One Sixth is somewhat of an alluring enigma.
Brimming with heartfelt professions, Electronic Mail is a magnum opus, a work of art, crafted by a true connoisseur of his genre.
Track Listing Electronic Mail Round the Sun Sick – Feat. Mantra and Maundz SMS (Six Million Stories) Around You Electrolude 1 LOL (Love or Lust) Let Me Know VHS (Virtual Hot Stepper) Crossed Wires – Feat. Lotus, The Tongue and Candice Monique The Night Market Electrolude 2 Think of You – Feat. Class A and Dyl Thomas System Error #HTTP – Feat. Fluent Form and Raven Quartz
One-Sixth has been Melbourne’s best kept secret for too long. In August 2012 the brilliant young lyricist will release his debut album Electronic Mail through local indie label Pang Productions together with Obese Distribution.
The brilliant lead single Round The Sun is a rich insight to what is sure to be a new benchmark album for local hip hop. With production from long-time comrades Charles Parker and Tony Wolf, the beat encompasses a mélange of vintage vocal samples, driving basslines and melancholy woodwind loops.
The track is especially sacred to One Sixth being one of the last opportunities he had to work with Charles Parker, who tragically passed away in 2011.
“The track means a lot to me now because Sam passed away, I really wanted to do more music with him. He was such a dope artist and some of the conversations we had sort of influenced what I’m rapping about on the track.” – One Sixth
Full of illustrative metaphor, One Sixth bares his soul with the upmost conviction. With multiple interpretations available according to the listener’s mentality, One Sixth is somewhat of a lyrical enigma.
Koolta’s long awaited debut album. Since winning the Hilltop Hoods Initiative in 2011 ($10 000 grant from APRA and HH to help in the release of a debut album) this young MC/Producer from Adelaide has hit the ground running.
Having already released two well received independent EPs, Koolta continues his DIY ethic handling all production, writing, recording and mixing on the new album.
The Extraordinary Average Joe is not your standard local Hip Hop album. This is music that lives up to this bold statement. Koolta has crafted multi-layered instrumentals with the use of live instrumentation and synths, rather than sampling. The lyrics are not the typical bragging so often found in the genre, but rather deep introspective lyrics examining the self and greater society.
From the socialist critique of excessive wealth on Possessions to the confronting family issues on Let Me. Koolta demonstrates a maturity beyond his years, and provides an honest poetic voice for the voiceless. Guests on the album include two of the country’s best lyricists, Prime (Soulmate Records) and national slam poetry champion Omar Musa. Koolta has got the tick of approval from hip hop legends the Hilltop Hoods and will be opening for them at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on their Speaking In Tongues Tour in July 2012.
Track Listing: Chapter 1: Birth Chapter 2: Piece Of The Puzzle (Featuring Gabrielle Hyde) Chapter 3: Poison (Featuring Prime) Chapter 4: Ying Yang Chapter 5: Sore Thumb (Featuring Omar Musa) Chapter 6: Intermood Chapter 7: Four Seasons Chapter 8: Possessions Chapter 9: Let Me Chapter 10: The Extraordinary Average Joe Chapter 11: Think Tank Chapter 12: This Year Chapter 13: Death
Koolta - The Extraordinary Average Joe will be released July 13, 2012.
