B.V.A. – Answers Loss Question Love

21 04 2013

deNorthwode has been DJ’ing & producing beats for close to 20 years. deNorthwode is more than just a party dj. He also runs the Crookneck lab an underground studio in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide that produces quality hip hop (check it out in the the book “Behind the Beat”).

ALQL_cover jpeg

He owns Elysium Lounge & plays there along with the very best dj’s & musicians Adelaide has to offer. He has played extensively all over Australia. What sets him apart from most DJ’s is a combination of traditional turntable finesse, original and current routines, incredible energy & selfless respect for the party by not only letting them request songs but actually playing them.

deNorthwode is also a rapper known as B.V.A who debuted his live show at Voices of the Underground 2 at the tender age of 11. Which is where he first met the other 2 members of what later became the legendary underground crew Mnemonic Ascent (alongside Dj Ransom & Raph Boogie).Together they started by today’s standards a hugely successful indie Record label Crookneck.

Mnemonic Ascent have toured extensively across the continent, performing alongside such artists as J5, Company flow, Rodney P and Skits, Hilltop Hoods, Resin Dogs and Downsyde to name a very few. As B.V.A. he is a highly regarded Aussie rapper – considered a veteran of the scene by his 20’s.

B.V.A. now presents Answers Loss Question Love, an album with universal themes, passion, punch and poetry, beats which swoop from fast and furious to lyrical and lovely. The album features some of hip hop’s best, A-Love, Suffa, Jimblah, K21, Til The Break and many more. You can pick up Answers Loss Question Love now over at CD Baby here or via iTunes here.

1. Reintroduction
2. Welcome Back (feat. A-Love)
3. Baby Please (feat. Taiaha Ngawiki)
4. Is There Any Love? (feat. Suffa & Jimblah)
5. Portrait of a Monster
6. Poor Me
7. Carpe Diem (feat. Til The Break)
8. Don’t Sweat It (feat. K21 & Ruby Parker Harris)
9. Broken Hearted
10. We Will Never Know (feat. Joy Sparks)
11. I Don’t Know
12. Cword
13. Without Her (feat. Yvonne Ruby Harris)

Purchase  ||  Soundcloud  ||  Facebook





Adelaide: West Coast Showcase feat. Optamus, Mr Grevis, Bitter Belief & K21

9 10 2012

After a short absence from touring, he’s back on the road, we’ve got the Downsyde and SBX general himself headlining the upcoming show with his solo project Optamus, backing him up is Obese Records latest distro signee launching his debut album The Sampler – Mr Grevis!!!

No stranger to Adelaide after extensive touring with Drapht, is Bitter Belief, he’ll be dropping tracks off his last mixtape The Tourguide and also drop some sneak peaks from the up coming album The Gallery, which is set to do some big things. Holding down the decks for nearly everybody on this night, is the widely respected Dj/Producer Rob Shaker.

First time in Adelaide for WA’s current number 1 producer Creed Birch and the last cat from WA to grace the stage with tracks from his debut album One Of A Kind is veteran MC Adam Crook!!! Special mention needs to go out to our very special friend, hometown king K21, who will also be doing his thing on stage with tracks from his recently released LP Single Minded Civilian.  This all goes down Friday, Oct 19, @Higher Ground – Tickets $10 get there. 

Optamus  ||  Mr Grevis  ||  Bitter Belief  ||  K21  ||  Tickets & More Info





Hunter: For The Record – The life and rhymes of an Australian Hip Hop pioneer

26 09 2012

Robert Hunter died a pioneer of a musical genre, young father, digital communicator, ex drug and alcohol abuser and ultimately a terminal cancer patient. At 35 his time on this earth was in danger of being cruelly cut short.

With a digital camera in hand, for Hunter cancer would become the lens through which life suddenly came sharply into focus. A year after his passing Periscope Pictures release Hunter: For The Record, a documentary journey that takes us deep into the psyche of an Australian sub-culture, and into the mind of one its greatest pioneers.

The ‘largest ever crowd-funded project in WA,’ the documentary team at Periscope Pictures raised $20,000 from the Australian Hip Hop community to complete the film, the overwhelming support and goodwill towards the film a testament to Hunter’s lasting legacy upon the Australian music industry and his fans. The first Hip Hop artist to be inducted into the prestigious WAMi Hall of Fame (2012) and a founding member of Perth’s seminal Syllabolix Crew (SBX). Hunter was instrumental in starting an underground scene, which became a multimillion dollar industry.

The fans believed it was a film that had to be made and gave us the push we needed to keep going, even when the usual funding options were exhausted. To be able to turn that modest budget into a feature documentary and give that back to them is a great feeling,” says Director Sam Field.

Never one to retreat from a battle, Hunter co-opted the digital tools at his disposal to broadcast his physical, emotional and musical journey with a brutal honesty. For Hunter the clarity and fulfilment he found through sobriety enabled him – despite incredible adversity – to do what many of us struggle to do in our normal lives: make the most of each day.

Made up largely from gripping footage shot by Hunter himself, the film is a rich and inspirational journey. The brilliant sound track and hilarious moments are just a bonus,” says Producer Alice Ross.

Hunter: For The Record features interviews with Australian Hip Hop royalty including the Hilltop Hoods, Drapht, Urthboy, Optamus and Dazastah (Downsyde) and previously unseen interviews and live-footage of Robert Hunter.

Hunter: For The Record is a raw tale of redemption and fatherhood, of musical fanaticism and courage in the face of adversity. While it was Robert Hunter’s avid fans who made the film Western Australia’s biggest ever crowd funded documentary, the film’s universal human themes speak to us all.

Hunter: For The Record
Public Screenings:
Melbourne: Saturday October 27, 4pm. Australian Centre of Moving Image (ACMI) – WORLD PREMIERE  - Tickets 
Perth: Thursday November 1, 7pm. Luna Palace Cinemas Leederville - Tickets.
Event Includes: Q&A with Alice Ross and Kai McGuiness (Producers), Optamus (Downsyde), DJ Defyre and Bias B. Special presentation of Hunter’s music. 

*Bias B – Melbourne Only

Periscope Pictures  ||  Twitter  ||  Facebook





Australian Hip Hop Supports Canteen

13 12 2011

The Australian Hip Hop Supports Canteen collection is at one a definitive catalogue of Australian contemporary music and a warm and charitable gesture to our sick Australian kids from a supportive Australian music community. Australian Hip Hop Supports Canteens includes some of the final works from Hunter as well as a swarm of contributions from the local hip hop community.

This very special album was the brainchild and final project of recently deceased seminal local rapper, Hunter. Sadly, Hunter missed the release of this album by weeks, losing his long battle with cancer in October 2011 and leaving his much-loved crew SBX and the Australian music industry in mourning.
His legacy however prevails on this mammoth 32 track production of never heard before songs is destined to be the Australian Hip Hop release of the year. The album flows from moody treasures to upbeat positive tunes and is confronting, uplifting and extraordinary in so many ways, with 100% proceed from the album and music sales going to the children’s cancer charity, CanTeen.

Across two discs are new songs from acts including Hilltop Hoods, Koolism, Drapht, Reason and Downsyde. As well as this, Urthboy, The Tongue, Hermitude, Solo and Ozi Batla have gotten together as the Elephant Traks All Stars for an exclusive song called Colours. All money raised from the album will go to support Canteen, an organisation which provides support for young Australians with cancer.

A Message from Hunts:
I started this project with the best intentions! put together a collection of songs, press up some discs, sell them, give money to charity, that being CanTeen. Easy!, and fun too! turned out not to be so easy, but still heaps of Fun! I was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in November 2009, and at the time was about 3/4 through making the album ‘Monster House’ with DJ Vame. Upon diagnosis, they told me it was inoperable, and that they couldn’t cure me. This of course changed my life.
I finished the album with Vame, and we went on tour, and it was while sitting in a motel room that Vame suggested I used my contacts within Australia’s Hip Hop scene to make a compilation album for charity, the idea was born then, and upon completing tour, I got on the case! I contacted all my friends, and told em what I was up to, and most were all to happy to help. I have to mention though, that due to contractual agreements, and timing issues, some were unable to provide a song, but there well wishes were gladly received! Over the journey, I got progressively sicker, and the project would have sunk if it hadn’t been for the tireless efforts of Rachel P, Porsah Laine and Dazastah, who more than picked up the slack, actually got the job done!
I also got to thank Tracy V and all the crew in Karratha, Paul Salter, Mad shout outs to everyone on the album, all the crew, Rachel, Daz, Porsah Laine, Deej, Tracy and Paul. As I depart this world with a song in my heart, I just want to say, Love each other! Love will make you happy, Love is the answer to all your questions… I got mad Love! – HUNTER SBX

100% profits from sales go to CanTeen
Executive Producers: Hunter & Dazastah
This Compilation © SBX For Charity

Website  ||  iTunes  ||  BTE  ||  CanTeen





Robert Hunter (1975 – 2011)

24 10 2011

Robert Hunter died at 7am Thursday 20 at Murdoch Hospice Western Australia. Hunter had been suffering from terminal cancer since his diagnosis in 2009. He struggled for the last few days and then peacefully passed with his mother by his side. Hunter’s family are making funeral arrangements and will issue a media statement with details of the special memorial gathering planned for fans and music industry peers.


His mother Trish says “I had 36 years with my beautiful son, he was the light of my life and I am so proud of what he achieved in the short time that we had him.”
Fellow SBX member Optamus says “It’s a sad day for Australian Hip Hop, a true legend and one of my best friends has passed. He has inspired many and will inspire many more, long live his memory!”
Marley’s mum Laura says, “I have been touched by the outpouring of love for Hunter, not just today but for all the people who have supported him with kind words throughout his battle. I am happy to say that we got to spend some quality family time together before he passed. Hunter tried not to let cancer affect his relationship with Marley.”
SBX crew member Porsah Laine who is working with him on the CanTeen charity project says “I was hoping that Hunter would see the completion of his amazing project, but I‟m happy the pain has gone. He’s set a standard for us all, to even in the face of death, follow your passion and always help others.”
SBX will be releasing a special track dedicated to Hunter’s 5 year old son Marley called, My Son, so if you hear it on the radio request it and hit it up on YouTube (below) to mark his sad passing.
(Family of Robert Hunter official media statement to friends and fans.)

Australian Hip Hop Supports CanTeen
The Australian Hip Hop community has united in support of Robert Hunter AKA Huntz, veteran artist and member of the infamous Syllabolix Crew, to release a compilation of never before heard tracks on an album titled Australian Hip Hop Supports CanTeen, due for release soon.
 Featuring the Hilltop Hoods, Drapht, Downsyde, Koolism, Bias B, Hermitude, and of course Hunter along with several yet to be announced acts, this album truly epitomises the best on offer of all things Hip Hop in this country.
After being diagnosed in November 2009, Australian old school Rapper Hunter, felt there was something he could do for children living with cancer. He approached his friends in the industry to contribute a song for an album and enlisted MGM The Groove Merchants to distribute the album at no cost. Hunter was a talented artist and avid supporter of Australian Hip-Hop and although very ill with neuroendocrine cancer, his passion and dedication has not waned and he is keen to make as much impact as possible both musically and for the cause that has supported him so absolutely throughout his battle with the illness.
It seemed like a natural thing for me, cos I knew a lot of people making Australian Hip Hop,” said Hunter. “Hip Hop can be very inspirational and hopefully we can sell enough CD’s and iTunes to make money to do something cool for the kids. When I was young I never got sick, I partied, I had a great time, these kids are missing out on that and it doesn’t seem fair so I figured I could raise money and they could have a good time”.

The CanTeen compilation album, Australian Hip Hop Supports CanTeen will be released very soon. For further information on the CanTeen Charity project, images and videos please go to the project website here.





LHA – Split Decision (Out Now)

23 09 2011

Sydney-based hip hop duo, LHA, announces the release of their debut album, Split Decision. Written and produced entirely by the duo, the album perfectly captures the ethos of LHA; soulful, catchy, heartfelt music to move body and mind.

LHA comprises Australian emcee Adikkal and Korean producer LeeHahn. Captivated by the idea that a song should move you inside and out, LHA make music full of provoking grooves. Crossing cultures and fusing elements of soul, funk on the bedrock of hip hop, they produce a distinct sound that, while gathering eclectic influences from music’s fringes, upholds an appeal for music fans across the globe.

Born and raised in Sydney, emcee Adikkal is a skilled freestyler, who draws on years of live experience with hip hop/funk/rock band, The Suitable Few. Having played alongside some of the biggest names in local hip hop including The Herd and Downsyde, he is as well versed live as he is in the studio. Effortlessly weaving honest and considered lyrics over LeeHahns’ production, Adikkal creates a powerful musical blend that is both sweet and raw.

Born in Seoul, Korea, LeeHahn moved to Australia 17 years ago. Having honed his talents as producer for Korean hip hop outfit J Daiz, LeeHahn brings a meticulous and soulful ear, combining live instruments with hard-hitting drums and cleverly chopped samples. The result is nothing short of expert.

Since releasing their debut EP It’s Time in 2009, LHA has received recognition and acclaim from critics and fans both locally and around the world. Their track That’s Just Life won a spot in the final 5 for the Launch Your Band competition, and was rated in the top 20 in its category in the International Song Writing Competition.

The duo has played extensively throughout Sydney, alongside artists such as Australian hip hop/soul band, Lowrider. Building on the hi-vibe of their recorded music, they enlist the assistance of their extended musical family – guitarist Nikko and bass player Gurg – to deliver not just a performance, but an explosive, live hip hop experience.

The first track from Split Decision, Keep It Movin, is a sophisticated, and stylish groove, with a video to match. Created by renowned Korean graphic artist, designer, VJ, professor and author, Parpunk, the clip is three and half minutes of animated music video class. This is cultural collaboration at its finest, and LHA clearly has it down pat.

The brand new single, This Is Your Life, is at radio this week. Ignited by the powerful lyrics of Adikkal and his fight for self-actualisation, the track is driven home by the soulful but commanding beats of LeeHahn. Directed by Kane Yoon, the video is another stylish offering from the duo, who find elegance in the ordinary with ease. The end result is powerful and inspirational.

LHA Music  ||  Soundcloud  ||  Twitter  ||  iTunes 





Come Together Fest – Limited Tickets available!

7 06 2011

There are only a limited number of tickets remaining for this years all Australian Hip Hop Come Together Fest. Come Together will be headliner Drapht’s only Sydney appearance and with a brand new, fully live show in tow, Drapht is set to showcase tracks from his amazing No 1 ARIA chart topping album Life Of Riley as well as all the faves from his previous releases.

Joined by special guests Urthboy, Illy, M-phazes, Muph & Plutonic, The Tongue, Mantra plus Triple J unearthed winners Daily Meds, this years Come Together is a smorgasbord of the best of up and coming Australian hip hop talent! Don’t delay as tickets are only $59 which includes the Parks rides. Come Together 2011 is the good time’s one stop shop for the June long weekend.
Limited tickets available now!!Full playing times can be downloaded here. More Information here.

 





Drapth to headline Come Together 2011 feat. Mantra, The Tongue, Muph & Pluto, Urthboy, Illy & M-Phazes

4 05 2011

After seven years of providing a distinctly domestic soundtrack to June long weekend, Come Together keeps its focus on showcasing the best of homegrown talent with an exciting new twist for its eighth incarnation. Come Together returns in 2011, for one day only on Saturday June 11th. We’ve revamped, refreshed, recharged, renovated and are ready to roll out the musical movers and shakers with an all Australian hip hop line-up set to have the Big Top jumping.

Lining up front and center & fresh from nailing down the highest ranked hip hop single at number 12 on the Triple J Hottest 100, is hip-hop artist on the rise Drapht. Hailing from Perth, Drapht emerged onto the scene alongside fellow WA heavy hitters Downsyde and Fdel and has since established himself as an MC on the up having polished his on-stage antics alongside the likes of the Hilltop Hoods, Dilated Peoples and Koolism amongst others.
Rocking the stage with his sensational live band, Come Together will be the exclusive Sydney show on his Life of Riley album tour. With the help of his friends Jimmy Recard and Rapunzel. Drapht’s incredible live show is sure to bring the bounce to Come Together, leaving punters with a bigger grin than the face they walked in to the Park through. Joining Drapht at Come Together is Urthboy, alongside his two cohorts Jane & Elgusto. Acclaimed albums, awards, nominations and a recent European tour are testament to Urthboy’s status as one of the scene’s true champions, with his set sure to demonstrate exactly why.
Fellow card-carrying member of the hit making fraternity Illy will also be hustling up the highway from Melbourne to take part in this hip hop throw down. With his single It Can Wait continuing to rock radios around the country, Illy’s spitfire delivery is sure to have the masses heaving from the get go. Come Together 2011 also sees the familiar faces of Muph & Plutonic return to drop their brand of head nodding hi-jinks. With renowned producer Plutonic Lab swapping the switches for the skins and supplying the beats for Muph to play verbal wordsmith, this party starting one, two punch will deliver a set to remember.

With his calling card of soulful, boom bap beats M-Phazes arrives at Come Together with an ARIA in his record bag courtesy of his work with Bliss’N’Eso and also from his 2010 album Good Gracious. The Tongue will also be on hand to step in and step it up, ready to take the Big Top over with mic in hand and cypher at the ready. Sharpening his razor sharp flow in the battle arena, The Tongue broke through with his high rotation bangers The Punch and Bad Education and with his recent release Alternative Energy following the same path, The Tongue is one live performer not to be missed. The lyrically gifted Mantra has harnessed his word play and elevated himself into the upper stratosphere of Australian MC’s. With the recent release of his debut long player; The Power of the Spoken, Mantra is one of Melbourne finest.  With a roll call of Aussie hip hop hierarchy; Come Together 2011 has also chopped the ticket price with this year’s tickets at only $59 (inc gst and booking fee) which includes access to the Park’s rides between 1pm and 5pm on the day for Come Together fans. Come Together is a licensed all ages event. Doors open at 4.30pm, finishing at 11pm.

Consider yourself a L-plate Drapht waiting in the wings?
Triple J and Come Together are offering the opportunity for one talented hip hop Unearthed winner to flex their flow in the spotlight. So, if you can light the mic up like Mantra, best get yourself to triplejunearthed.com and head to the competition page to register for your chance to perform alongside the awesome all Aussie hip hop Come Together line up headlined by Drapht with special guests Urthboy, Illy, M-phazes, Muph & Plutonic, The Tongue and Mantra.

Triple J Unearthed  ||  Triple J Unearthed Come Together Comp  ||  Come Together 2011





Crymziko – Rewrite The Page: Debut single from forthcoming EP

15 03 2011

2010 was a big year for Wollongong based hip-hop artist, Crymziko. Starting off the year by releasing his heavily anticipated mixtape/promotional street release Corrosive Oversound, Crymziko went on to perform several shows around the country, both as a headline act and support act, playing alongside names such as Drapht, Downsyde, Illy, Pez, Spit Syndicate, Thundamentals, 360, Mind Over Matter, Skryptcha, Phatchance and more.

The MC from the ‘Gong also supported international hip-hop acts Bone Thugs N Harmony (USA) and Scorcher (UK) on their respective tours of Australia. One of the tracks from Crymziko’s debut mixtape, “Badder Than Me”, reached success by climbing to #1 in the Triple J Unearthed Hip-Hop charts where it remained for three consecutive weeks. To cap off an awesome year, Crymziko managed to land a clothing sponsorship with streetwear company, Famous Stars & Straps, notably owned by Travis Barker of Blink 182.

In 2011, Crymziko is set to release his sophomore project. An 8 track EP entitled Something In The Middle. The debut single, ”Rewrite The Page” (produced by ShoDown and featuring Paul Kozman of Wollongong based metalcore band Never See Tomorrow) is a gritty, emotive piece detailing the ups and downs in the attempt to make it in the dog-eat-dog world of the music industry. Over a melancholy piano melody, haunting strings and a clean drum line, Crymziko touches on the subjects of self-doubt and perseverence; creating an introspective track which gives the listener a taste from what is bound to be a captivating release from one of Australia’s brightest up-and-comers.

Download ”Rewrite The Page” FREE at here (via Triple J)





Mind Over Matter – This Weeks Triple J Unearthed Feature Artist

19 10 2010

Following the release of their lead single Rappers In Wonderland, Mind Over Matter have been announced as this weeks Triple J Unearthed Feature Artist. Since release the single has already been added to spot rotation on Triple J as well as full rotation on Sydney’s FBi. Mind Over Matter will be setting off an east coast tour later this year.

www.triplejunearthed.com

Emerging from Sydney’s vibrant hip hop community in 2006, the duo known as Mind Over Matter quickly established themselves as artists to be reckoned with. Through their highly lauded mixtape For Our Hip Hoppers, they successfully built and earned a loyal fan base nationally. In 2008 Mind Over Matter released their Debut album entitled Keepin’ It Breezy to industry wide praise, culminating in a nomination for Australian album of the year in Triple J’s J Mag. With the success of this debut combined with their pre-established following cemented by back to back outstanding releases, emcees Willow and Smiles Again have toured the country extensively and have seen their following grow to heights that once didn’t seem possible.

After hitting sold out venues in a multitude of locations across the country Mind Over Matter have proved themselves to be one of the most highly charismatic, energetic, and creative live acts this country has to offer. To date the duo have played along side an incredible range of international acts including Jebediah, Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Planet Asia, DJ Crazy Caz (the late Tupac’s DJ), Mystro (UK) as well as Australian heavy weights Bliss n Eso (Mind Over Matter were selected as support for the trio on their National Get Loose tour and Flying Colours Tour), Muph n Plutonic, Pegz, Drapht, Downsyde, Pez & 360, Phrase & DJ Flagrant, Def Wish Cast and many more.

The dynamic Sydney duo have also performed at multiple festivals, both locally and interstate and have even hit stages internationally, travelling to Thailand as well as Osaka, Japan, performing some incredibly well received shows as well as filming a video for a collaboration track titled How We Get Down.  With the fantastic reception of their debut LP Keepin’ It Breezy, Mind Over Matter have been added to a multitude of radio play lists nationally, including Triple J, FBI and many more. Clipped Wings featuring Vast Aire, a stand out track from the album became the highly sought after single of the week on Sydney’s FBI 94.5FM, further validation of this crew’s talent and appeal.  Always staying focused and productive, M.O.M. featured on and hosted the Who’s Got Next Mixtape, a project showcasing some of Australia’s best up and coming talent and since then have completed their highly anticipated second mixtape, rightfully titled Free The Wolves.  In 2010 Mind Over Matter received huge recognition for their stand out feature verses on Bliss N Eso’s #1 Aria Charting album Running on Air.   As a result of the feature and surrounding buzz the group joined Bliss N Eso on all dates of their nationally sold out Down By The River tour.

Rappers In Wonderland
is the first single from their much anticipated sophomore offering, Just Like Fireworks – scheduled for release early next year. Rappers In Wonderland features an energetic, guitar driven beat with punching percussion and 60′s surf undertones; produced by their DJ, DJ Ila and mixed by Matik (Pez/Seth Sentry) the track sees Willow and Smiles exchange trademark clever, tongue in cheek wordplay. The song is rounded out nicely by an infectious, chant style chorus and serves as a polished and impressive reintroduction to the group.

Purchase the full single here: http://www.mindovermattercrew.com/








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