Emerging South Australian Hip Hop artist Koolta has been announced as the winner of the 2011 Hilltop Hoods Initiative.Kultar Ahluwalia, aka Koolta, is a 22yo South Australian MC/Producer. With an all-round skill set, Koolta employs a DIY mentality, handling all his own production, writing, recording and mixing.
Making music since the age of 15, Koolta has shared the stage with such artists as Urthboy, Drapht, Funkoars, Foreign Beggars and C Rayz Walz. Koolta receives $10,000 from Hilltop Hoods and APRA to release and promote his debut LP. He also receives a prize pack valued at $1000 from DC clothing and legal advice from David Vodika of Media Arts Lawyers.
MC Suffa of Hilltop Hoods said: “We’d like to thank APRA, Blue Max Music, DC Clothing and Media Arts Lawyers for making the grant possible, and we’d also like to thank our judges Hau (NSW), Ran-Dee (NSW), Raph (VIC) and Nish (SA) for their invaluable input into this years initiative. Finally we’d like to give a big shoutout to everyone that entered, the judges were amazed at the standard of the entries this year”.
Koolta is a 21 year old mc and producer hailing from the Adelaide Hills. In the last few years Koolta has contributed production and vocals on various local releases, such as K21’s – The Greenhouse compilation. In 2008 and 2009, Koolta shared the stage with K21 and DJ PT for a stack of shows around the country supporting the likes of the Funkoars, Drapht, Pegz, Vents, Terra Firma and C Rayz Walz.
2010 saw Koolta release his debut effort The Deportation EP. This 8 track EP written and produced entirely by Koolta is an impressive debut from this upcoming all-rounder. The opening track Babysitting is set of by some banging drums and hums along a solid jazz filled inspired beat. It’s clear from the onset that Koolta is as diverse as his production, this seems none more evident than on the lead track The Deportation. With its eastern inspired beat, Koolta has no trouble breathing hip hop life into any avenue of his production stylings. The Journey To Nowhere takes a step back to the 1920′s with Koolta delivering some of the strongest verses we’ve heard from an emcee in 2010.
Koolta’s approach to his production is unexpected and provides the listener with an intricate journey of the The Deportation soundscapes. DJ PT handels the cuts throughout the album and sets off Kooltas production and rhymes in symbiotic fashion. The Good and The Bad plus 480 Mintues rounds out this truly impressive EP in serious style. The Deportation endeavours to showcase honest music with substance and does so without the ego. Koolta has delivered a tight package here. Wrapped in creativity, sense of self and a range of diverse production, this release seems to tick all the boxes. We rate Koolta’s – The Deportation EP a large 3.95 out of 5.
Tracklisting 1. Babysitting 2. The Deportation 3. The Journey To Nowhere 4. Python 5. Wash Them Hands 6. Thicker Than Water 7. The Good And The Bad 8. 480 Minutes
All tracks written, produced, mixed and recorded by Koolta Cuts by DJ PT Artwork by Sam Trezise
6 on the St is a film project that takes an intimate look at 12 Adelaide artists in a series of six-minute documentaries. Next guest in the line-up of local talent: Dialect & Despair
Dialect began rhyming at the tender age of 12, inspired by his eldest brothers collection of classic 80′s/90′s era Hip Hop. Entering his first freestyle battle at the age of 13 Dialect took it out and went on to win countless more battles making him a force to be reckoned with on the mic at an early age.
Well renown for his remarkable freestyle ability and live show performance Dialect became a stalwart in the live hip hop circuit in Adelaide. He then released his debut EP The Sound of Change in 2006 featuring hip hop heavyweight Delta on the now classic Freestyle Jam, Freestyle Exodus. The EP received positive reviews and topped the South Australian Music Charts for consecutive weeks. After the success of his first EP Dialect continued touring Australia and has played support for some of the biggest International acts hip hop has to offer; including Ghostface Killah, The Beatnuts, Lord Finesse, DJ Premier Grandmaster Flash, Jeru Tha Damaja, RZA, MOP, Pharoahe Monch, Matsa Ace, Kool Keith & Lupe Fiasco at 2009′s Big Day Out.
In 2008, Dialect released his long-awaited debut LP Rugged Uncut to wide critical acclaim. The album featured cuts and production from Australia’s finest and appearances from Prince Po of legendary 90′s New York outfit Organized Konfusion & Louisville Sluggah (NY) of the Boot Camp Click. Dialect recently featured on 2 tracks off celebrated undergorund New York lyricist C Rayz Walz album Free Rayz Walz. Dialect was elected as a Triple J Unearthed Artist Spotlight in March last year giving him nationwide attention.
Dialect has just released his new album The Vortex with Adelaide producer Despair, featuring Delta, Motion & Social Change, on CD & 2LP.
During legendary New York Crew EPMD’s tour of Australia, member & multi platinum producer Erick Sermon visited the studio where Dialect & Despair had been producing their new album, The Vortex, listened to the demo of the forthcoming album and labeled Dialect as the future of hip hop in Australia.
At only 19 & with so many accomplishments under his belt, Dialect is the hip hop artist to check for.
You can pick up a copy of Dialect & Despair – The Vortex at the new Wax Museum Store located Level 1,238A Rundle Street, Adelaide. Check them out on facebook here.
Koolta is a 21 year old emcee and producer hailing from the Adelaide Hills. In the last few years Koolta has contributed production and vocals on various local releases, like K21’s “The Greenhouse” compilation. In 2008 and 2009, Koolta shared the stage withK21 and DJ PT for a stack of shows around the country supporting the likes of the Funkoars, Drapht, Pegz, Vents, Terra Firma and C Rayz Walz.
Now in 2010, Koolta is ready to release his debut solo effort. The Deportationis an 8 track EP written and produced byKoolta. You will find no braggadocio rhymes on this release. Koolta demonstrates his ability as all round artist with lyricism that touches upon a variety of themes are such as family, racism and work, accompanied by head nodding production. In an age where pop music has become so predictable and formulaic, The Deportation endeavors to showcase honest music with substance. The Deportation is out February 12, 2010.
All tracks written, produced, mixed and recorded by Koolta
Cuts by DJ PT
Guitar by Josh Trezise on 480 minutes
Keys by James Raymond on 480 minutes
Artwork by Sam Trezise
Koolta’s The Deportation EP Launch will happen on Feb 13th
The launch will feature a bunch of local hip hop and funk acts.
Lineup for the night: Koolta performing with live band The Funky Scum Rumour and DJ PT Grifters Inc Mase and Mattic Mutual Agreement
Hosted by K21 with DJ PT spinning tracks all night.
Come down and check out some dope local music at a chill venue and be sure to pick up a copy of the new EP :
Doors open at 9
$10 Entry or $15 with a copy of the EP @ The Jade Monkey 29a Twin Street (off Rundle Mall)
Tracklisting
1. Babysitting
2. The Deportation
3. The Journey To Nowhere
4. Python
5. Wash Them Hands
6. Thicker Than Water
7. The Good And The Bad
