Rainman Announces ‘Darlin’ & National Launch Dates

12 03 2012

Mention Rainman amongst the initiated and the respect attributed to his name is palatable. Recognised nationally as one of Queensland’s finest, Rainman’s list of collaborations, support slots and guest appearances reads like a who’s who of local hip hop.

Rainman is poised to drop his second album Bigger Pictures, in stores Friday 4 May through Obese Distribution. The album sees Sammsonite return for the lion’s share of the production but also features some of Australia’s finest beat – smiths including the APRA and AIR Award winning, ARIA nominated Count Bounce, DJ Bonez, Mangohig (Sietta), Chasm, Cam Bluff and Calski. Guest MCs on the record include Muph, Tommy Illfigga, Yuin Huzami and many more, while Laneous (Laneous & The Family Yah) and Kel on Earth (Bankrupt Billionaires) lend soulful vocals across the album.

The first official single off Bigger Pictures is Darlin’. Featuring and produced by Calski, the track was available as a free download at the end of last year limited to one hundred fans only but will now be available on iTunes from Fri 23 March. 

Rainman deliberately wanted Darlin’ to set the scene for the new album. In his own words: Darlin’ is a love song. An ode to lady hip hop, a soul drenched Australian take on Common’s ‘I Used to Love H.E.R’ classic – with a twist. The initial demo of the beat from_Calski inspired me to flip the hip hop-as-lover idea from Common and put a fresh take on it. I didn’t want to just leave it at that though. I’ve been pretty interested in how passionate we all are about hip hop, those of us that grew up with it as kids, and how even for those of us as white kids from Australia, from all that distance away from hip hop’s origins, literally_and culturally, can still feel this whole-hearted connection and even a sense of ownership_of this music. I wanted to try get into the character of what hip hop – the lady – might have to say back to those of us that call her out. I figured she had to be a bit pissed off and wouldn’t be afraid to say it”.

It’s this lyric writing approach – taking songs to that next level of depth – that sets Rainman apart and sees him attract high praise from peers and fans alike. He paints bigger pictures. To launch Darlin’, Rainman will be touring nationally with Calski supporting Joelistics and Diafrix on the Running To Shine National Tour

Catch them at the following dates:
Saturday 17 March – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
tickets via: http://www.cornerhotel.com
Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 March – The Hills Are Alive Festival VIC
tickets via: http://www.thehillsarealive.com.au
Thursday 29 March – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
tickets via: http://www.heatseeker.com.au, http://www.oztix.com.au
Friday 30 March – Bar 120, Hillarys
tickets via: http://www.heatseeker.com.au, http://www.oztix.com.au
Saturday 31 March – Hyde Park Hotel, Perth
tickets via: http://www.heatseeker.com.au, http://www.oztix.com.au
Sunday 1 April – Norfolk Basement, Fremantle
tickets via: http://www.heatseeker.com.au, http://www.oztix.com.au
Thursday 5 April – The Gov, Adelaide
tickets via: http://www.thegov.com.au, http://www.venuetix.com.au
Sunday 8 APril – Republic Bar, Hobart
tickets via: http://www.republicbar.com.au, http://www.moshtix.com.au
Thursday 12 April – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay - Free show
Friday 13 April – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
tickets via: http://www.oztix.com.au
Saturday 14 April – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
tickets via: http://www.oztix.com.au

Twitter  ||  Facebook  ||  Soundcloud





Rainman – Darlin’ feat. Calski

24 01 2012

Billed as ‘a watershed in local hip hop’, Rainman (Ray Bourne) has attracted some hefty praise since releasing his debut album Fire in the Belly. Rainman has been hailed as ‘Queensland’s best kept secret’ with ‘an eloquence for song-writing rarely seen in hip hop’. Descriptions of Rainman’s music are consistently praiseworthy.

Rainman has appeared as a feature artist on the triple j Hip Hop Show and in Stealth Magazine/CD. His music was selected for the Rhythm and Poetry DVD – a documentary detailing the evolution of local hip hop.  Rainman has toured Australia’s major cities and regularly performs locally in Brisbane. He has played alongside Grandmaster Flash, Ice Cube, Z-Trip & Soup (Jurassic 5), Jungle Brothers, The Herd, Hilltop Hoods, Michael Franti, Urthboy, Muph n Plutonic and TZU. Alongside regular live collaborators The Coalition Crew, Rainman has also played festivals like Big Day Out, Livid, Woodford Folk Festival and Sounds of Spring.

Rainman is now finishing off his next album with some of hip hop’s finest producers including Chasm, Count Bounce, DJ Bonez & Sammsonite (The Optimen). Due for release in the first half of 2012. You can check out the second track to be leaked from the album above Darlin’ feat. Calski. You can also download the full track from his triple j unearthed page below.  You can also check out the 1st single leaked from the upcoming Rainman album Can’t See You Feat. Laneous - Production by Chasm.

Triple J Unearthed  ||  Twitter  ||  Facebook





Def Wish Cast – Dun Proppa

25 08 2011

Since the initial days when hip hop culture first arrived in Australia, there are many who’ve become obsessed with the traditional four elements; B-boying/B-Girling, Emceeing, Deejaying and Graffiti. They symbolise hip hop at its most pure and are the living embodiment of all four elements in their rawest form as each member was born from the 80′s explosion. Def Wish Cast embraces all the aspects and ideology but never imitates.


They created something localised that was revered and is now mythologised: they are Def Wish Cast; they are Australian; they are Hip Hop. In 1990 Def Wish Cast began taking there skills to the stage. Every show was an experience. Already at this early period in their career they were perfecting stage techniques and crowd interactions that hadn’t been witnessed previously by local crowds. Def Wish Cast championed the importance of representing oneself by having a very identifiable style and sounding distinctly Australian.
It’s been a few years in the making but we finally have a sneak preview of what Def Wish Cast has been working on over the hiatus. Dun Proppa is the lead track from their forthcoming album, Evolution Machine, which features production from Queensland’s Resin Dogs who team up with the UK’s own Brad Baloo (Nextmen). As if that wasn’t enough talent on the beats, the track is also overseen by the mighty Plutonic Lab (Muph n Plutonic), who lends some of his hit making abilities to the mix.

Evolution Machine – Out Early 2012 

Twitter  ||  Facebook  ||  Soundcloud 





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/





Mind Over Matter – Rappers In Wonderland (Free Download)

13 09 2010


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/





The Optimen ‘The Out of Money Experience’ Album Launch with Rainman, Vegas Aces and Special Guests

2 09 2010



Brisbane Sounds
is pleased to announce the next showcase in their series of spin off events to showcase Brisbane’s diverse music artists. The Brisbane Sounds Hip-Hop showcase will take place at the Hi-Fi in West End on Saturday 9 October and will offer a tasty selection of Brisbane’s finest Aussie hip-hop artists that includes the amazing crew The Optimen launching The Out of Money Experience, the esteemed talents of Rainman and fresh newcomers Vegas Aces as well as more guest DJ’s that are yet to be announced.

The Optimen
The Optimen
or The OPees to their friends have quickly become one of the buzz bands in the Brisbane and Australian hip-hop movement not least due to their recent banger The Out Of Money Experience and intense live shows which have seen them climb the hip-hop ladder to new heights.
2010 has been an exciting year for The Optimen which has seen them become one of only 60 artists to be featured at leading Australian music conference, BigSound in early September as well as playing packed out interstate tours around the country. This is a hip-hop band that thrives dropping beats in their live show and who is set to take Australia by storm over the coming months.

Rainman
Billed as ‘a watershed in local hip hop’, Rainman has attracted some hefty praise since releasing his debut album Fire in the Belly. Rainman has been hailed as ‘Queensland’s best kept secret’ with ‘an eloquence for song-writing rarely seen in hip hop’. Rainman is a regular performer in the local hip-hop scene and has appeared as a feature artist on the Triple J Hip Hop Show and his music was selected for the Rhythm and Poetry DVD – a documentary detailing the evolution of Australian hip hop as well as having crowd favourite Australian Story music video appearing nationally on Rage.
Rainman
has played alongside Grandmaster Flash, Ice Cube, Z-Trip & Soup (Jurassic 5), Jungle Brothers, The Herd, Hilltop Hoods, Michael Franti, Urthboy, Muph n Plutonic and TZU.
Rainman
is now working on his next album with some of Australian hip hop’s most well regarded producers including Chasm, DJ Bonez, Count Bounce (TZU), El Gusto (Hermitude) & Sammsonite (The Optimen).

Vegas Aces
Vegas Aces
are a buzz band when it comes to the hip-hop scene and is a collaboration of 4TH (Pure Product) and producer Cam Bluff who has produced for The Optimen and Spit Syndicate amongst others. Vegas Aces are about to release their debut EP for FREE which was entirely self produced with vocals by good friend and extremely talented emcee, Seven. The group have already started work on their full length album which was recorded and mixed by Sammsonite of The Optimen and are excited to be able to share some of these tracks with hip-hop fans on October 9.
It all goes down on October 9 at The Hi-Fi in West End. Tickets are $12 plus booking fees or $15 on the door and are available from http://www.thehifi.com.au, tel 1300 THE HIFI (8434434) and all regular outlets.





Dwizofoz – Baked Not Fried EP + album launch

14 04 2010

Dwizofoz has indeed been building quite a name for himself starting way back in 2003 when he first met Ghosty and started working on tracks with him. In 2004 the duo created the group Ozalians and almost immediately began performing on stages all around Brisbane.

After nearly 5 years of performing and having supported and worked with such artists as Muph n Plutonic, Hyjak n Torcha, Bias B, Optimen and Tommy Illfigga, Justice n Kaos (to name a few), Ozalians decided to part ways to work on different projects.
The end of 2007 saw Dwizofoz begin to really focus on his music as a solo artist and marked a definite step up in the intensity of Dwiz’s live shows. Since 2007 Dwizofoz has supported such artists as Lazy Grey, Bias B, Thundamentals, Dialectrix and was scheduled to support “Godfather of Grime” Wiley at his cancelled Brisbane show.

After years of hardwork Dwizofoz’s debut solo EP is finally ready to hit shelves. Baked Not Fried is a collection of tracks that captures the feeling of the journey he has been since going solo in late 2007. 9 tracks deep featuring only Brisbane emcee’s and producers Baked Not Fried is set to make heads from all over our great nation sit up and recognize the potential that Dwizofoz possesses.

The EP features production from DJ Butcher (Crate Creeps, Pure Product) Mc Rotheee (Kut Paste Records) Warlock Beats, Plague, Dark Matter and more and guest verses from Brisbane battle veteran Alexander The Commander, Strooth, Mc Rotheee and Big Koz.

Track Listing:
1. As The Pendulum Swings
2. One Word
3. Who’s Side You On?
4. Introduce Myself feat. Mc Rotheee and Big KOZ
5. Fire Up feat. Strooth
6. Reintroduction
7. Baked Not Fried feat. Alexander The Commander
8. Bomb The City
9. My Legacy

Ladies and Gentleman! After nearly 8 years slowly taking over Brisbane, one suburb at a time Dwizofoz is finally about to launch his debut solo EP, Baked Not FriedKut Paste Records and Crate Cartel proudly present the Dwizofoz/Fluent Form (QLD) dual album launch, featuring Maggot Mouf + Gutz with DJ Buick. This will all go down at the Step Inn on Friday June 25.

Featuring Fluent Form with his much hyped and multi award-winning album The Furnace. If you havent heard it already go pick that shit up, right now. The hype surrounding his The Furnace is well and truly lived up to by the album itself.
Featuring production by Geko, Ciecmate and more and guest spots by Brad Strut, Fatty Phew, Maundz, to name a few The Furnace is, one of the top Australian releases for 2009. He will be joined by fellow Cartelians Geko and DJ Discourse.

The gig will also mark the much-anticipated return to Brisbane of Broken Tooth Records pioneer Maggot Mouf accompanied by Gutz and DJ Buick. Sure to kill it. Also performing on the night are local acts DeadBeatSociety, a group which consists of Brisbane mic slayers Pi Emcee, Tendancee, P.Butta, Twitch, Julez Vega and DJ Daze.

Also on support duties is Freemcee, one half the now broken up Affirmative Word. Freemcee has created a massive buzz around his live shows and has now gone solo to continue his journey, which is sure to be a long one.
And of course Dwizofoz’ stable mate, Unda Dwella will be bringing the heat to get proceedings underway in the correct manner, check out his mixtape Everyone Loves UD coming soon. Tracks will be spun between sets by DJ Boomski.





Elgen & Johnny Utah win the Triple J Unearthed Groovin’ The Moo Competition

9 04 2010


Elgen & Johnny Utah have just won the Triple J Unearthed Groovin’ The Moo competition – the two brothers from Port Stephens will be performing at the massive Maitland festival alongside mainstays Silverchair, Empire Of The Sun, Muph N Plutonic, The Funkoars and more

Their track When The Rain Hits is now on rotation at Triple J and available for free download from Triple J Unearthed here.

The guys are currently working on their full LP release after dropping  TheWelcoming Party EP back in Feb 09. All production will be handled by Elgen with Johnny Utah jumping up on the mic.





Win a free copy of The Sounds Of Wings EP

18 03 2010


Coptic Soldier is preparing for his debut EP release teaming up with Sydney singer Miriam Waks for eight top tracks on The Sound of Wings EP. The guys over at Rhythm & Poetry are giving you the chance to win a copy of The Sound of Wings EP, but you have to be quick.
Here’s how you do it.

1. Start by Logging into Twitter (if you don’t have an account, go get one)
2. follow my man Coptic Soldier (@copticsoldier)
3. Tweet the below phrase, in it’s entirety, unedited

Exclusive leak of @copticsoldier & Miriam Waks-Burn Churches feat. @mac_lethal plus your chance to win the EP at http://bit.ly/aQADra #RandP

The rules are simple, tweet the above phrase in it’s entirety, unedited on twitter before 11:59pm on the 19th of March 2010 (AWST, +8 GMT) while following the twitter user copticsoldier and you’re in with a chance to win. If your tweets aren’t public or Coptic Soldier can’t see them because you have him blocked or you’re not following Coptic Soldier when at competition closing time, you’re not entered, it’s really that simple.
Full post, including exclusive leak of the track Burn Churches at RandP here.

The Sound Of Wings is the debut collaborative EP from Sydney emcee Coptic Soldier and Sydney soul vocalist Miriam Waks; it drops nationally on April 1st. The Sound Of Wings blends textures and influences from across the board into the type of homogeny that promises to bridge the genre gap, and offers a sound that will be embraced by indie, soul, hip hop and pop lovers alike.

Coptic Soldier has come off the back of four years of nonstop touring, traveling and performing alongside rising Australian hip-hop emcee Phatchance in support of the likes of Bliss n Eso, The Potbelleez, Horrorshow, The Herd, Drapht, Pez, The Funkoars, Pegz, Muph n Plutonic and Phrase as well as international heavy weights Method Man and Redman, De La Soul and Planet Asia, just to name a few.

After receiving nominations for 2008 MO Awards (Johnny O’Keefe Encouragement Award), and the 2007 ACE Awards (Best New Talent), and also appearing on Spit Syndicate’s 2008 ARIA nominated album (Best Urban Release), Miriam Waks returned to Australia from internationally touring her music through India to headline back to back sold out “Songs of the Romance Languages” events in both Sydney and Melbourne.

The Sound Of Wings is packed full of production from some of the best beat smiths in the country, including K21 (2008 Hilltop Hoods Initiative winner), Ash Pope and Germany’s Allrounda.

The Sounds Of Wings boasts verses from Phatchance (Crowned a Triple J Unearthed Featured Artist in 2009), Sydney’s underground heavy weights Mind Over Matter as well as Kansas City’s former Scribble Jam champ Mac Lethal (of Rhymesayers Enternainment). Through working alongside live guitarist Jonnathan Riechardt and bassist Kieran Owens The Sound Of Wings possesses an energy that grants listeners a sense of passion and depth from start to finish.





Brooklyn Bridge – Bekay feat. Masta Ace (Prod. by M-Phazes)

20 02 2010

Australian producer M-Phazes is set to drop an absolute banger in the form of his production album Good Gracious. It will feature some of Australia’s top emcees including Drapht, Bliss N Eso, Phrase, Illy, Pegz, Muph n Plutonic, Delta, Solo, Spit Syndicate, Dialectrix, Mantra, Nfa, Nine High, Forthwrite (360 n Pez), 13th Son and Haunts. Good Gracious will be out on February 26 through Obese Records (check the previous post we did regarding this release here). If your not already excited, then here’s something to wet your appetite. M-Phazes recently produced a track for US emcee Bekay feat. Masta Ace. The track “Brooklyn Bridge”, which you can stream below or purchase on iTunes, is a prime example of why M-Phazes – Good Gracious will be one of 2010′s most exciting albums.
The Brookylyn Bridge remix is featured on The Hunger Pains Remix EP from Bekay. The remix EP, which dropped Feb. 9 through the Brooklyn-based indie Coalmine Records also features three other remixes that include production and features from DJ Babu, DJ Qvali, Dilated Peoples, Sha Stimuli and Push! Montana.

Matt Diamond, head of Coalmine Records, had this to say regarding the release of The Hunger Pains Remix EP.
“As a label, Coalmine places a strong emphasis on the producer as well as the artist and there’s not a better way to breath new life into a previously existing record than by creating a remix. The idea to release The Hunger Pains Remix EP is inspired largely from the days of when classic albums would be followed up with a 12″ or vinyl EP that would contain otherwise nearly impossible to find remixes. The concept of collecting and ‘digging’ for those hard to find gems is an element of the culture that has shifted from record stores to downloads. Although the experience has changed, the end result is the same…dope music.”

Tracklisting
1. I Am (Remix) feat. Dilated Peoples
2. I Am [Nodfactor.com Remix] (prod. by DJ Qvali)
3. Brooklyn Bridge [Part II] feat. Sha Stimuli & Push! Montana
4. Brooklyn Bridge feat. Masta Ace (M-Phazes Remix)








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