After the success of his independently released debut album Chapters Of Substance, Fluent Form wasted no time in returning to the studio to begin work on his sophomore LP, The Furnace. The Melbourne MC and Crate Cartel member has been hard at work on his 3rd release, which is sure to be a must have.
Fluent release’s a free download titled Ricochet Rabbit. Produced by Must (Pang Productions), mixed and mastered by Geko. You can pick up Fluent Form – Ricochet Rabbit as a ‘name your price’ download.
The second clip from the Obesecity 2 compilation has gone live this week! P-Link’s Turn the Tables is the second single from the national dual disc effort, produced by Must, with cuts from Secondhand DJ’s. A truly innovative video, credits again go to the remarkable crew at Full Clip.
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
Born in Australia but raised in Namibia, One Sixth is an African-Australian who is emerging as one of Australian hip hops freshest talents. Schooled in Africa until 18, he recently returned to Australia to experience a new life. Now based in Melbourne, One Sixth boasts regular appearances with respected groups Illzilla, Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, The Mega Horns, Polo Club, Black Jesus and his crew Pang Productions.
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. We have already heard the brilliant first single from the album Electronic Mail titled Round The Sun, One Sixth now brings you the second single from this hotly anticipated albumand the track is called LOL (Love Or Lust). LOL (Love Or Lust) has been released alongside a killer filmclip once again executed by the team over at Full Clip.
One Sixth’s debut LP Electronic Mail will be available August 24th. You can pre-order now through Soul Clap Recordshere.
2011 brought a shift in tone for local crew Dazed & Flawlezz with the release of Land Of The Savages. Opting for a much darker and mature view of the world, Land Of The Savages featured production from not only Dazed, but seasoned producers Geko, Ciecmate, and Mizari, as well as guest verses from Maggot Mouf, and the introduction of their extended family, Sydney’s Grand Arkiteks.
Dazed & Flawlezz are now working on their debut LP, as of yet untitled, the LP features production from Vanderslice (Vinny Paz, Roc Marciano, Maundz), Mata (Mata & Must), and WIK (Crate Cartel); penned for a 2012 release. Dazed is also keeping busy, with the recent release of his debut 7″ Rest In Syn, featuring Rinse and Grand Arkiteks, as well as producing tracks on the debut Fraksha (Nine High) LP, as well as for fellow Down For The Count Records heads G-Force, and Sparts.
Now armed with long-time friend, Mad Cow as their DJ and engineer, Dazed & Flawlezz are ready to lay their mark. Check out the brand new track Found Space featuring production from Must.
Hailing from the notorious district of South Auckland, New Zealand, P.Link & his mother crossed the Tasman at the tender age of 3 in search of greener grasses. Settling briefly in Melbourne’s outer east, His fam quickly decided that coastal life was for them after a weekend visit to his future home – Phillip Island. Along with his partner in crime, J.Mac, P was consumed by the artform and the natural progression to penning their own material was made.
A few years later alongside local MC’s – Downpat, Eazy, Lystic, Drummer – Lorne, Keyboarder – Brez & DJ – A-Tap they formed the 8-piece Tranquil Artillery. After many beer-fueled, school night Jams, Tranquil made their stage debut in 2003. After making a little noise locally they set out for Melbourne city, earning themselves a solid live rep including shows with – Lyrical Commission, Bliss N Eso, 360, TZU & countless others. After a few years honing his stage presence with Tranquil, P.Link took some time out from the group to concentrate on his new Project – The Aphilliates, consisting of himself, J.Mac & DJ Rellik, he aimed to take it back to the raw Melbourne sound he was raised on.
Within a little over a year they recorded and independently released The Aphilliates Mixtape & once again started earning themselves a solid live rep under the new moniker. While promoting the mixtape P also started gathering up old & new material to put together a small solo release. What started as a side project soon turned into his main focus and before long he had recorded a 6 track EP entitled In My Element.
In My Element is furious 6 track EP, recorded by Must at Pang Productions, featuring production from the man himself – Must, The King – Trem One & Canadian Aphillite – Engineer with cuts from DJ Rellik and one guest spot from fellow Rawthentic stable mate – J. Mac.
In My Element gives the listener a brief introduction to the Melburnite behind the mic, through graphic tales of heartbreak, friendship, betrayal and everything in between. Riddled with cuts and proper producto, In My Element stays true to the art with P.Link displaying a huner and presence very few ‘newcomers‘ can match. In My Element is available now through independent record stores, online via Soul Calp and coming soon digitally via iTunes.
Tracklist 1. Tell em its P – produced by Must 2. In my element – produced by Must 3. Welcome 2 Melbourne – produced by Trem 4. Told me she loved me – produced by Engineer 5. Its a shame – produced by Must 6. Fatal attraction feat. J. Mac – produced by Trem
In a time capsule unearthed in an overgrown train yard on the outskirts of Melbourne, archaeologists discover a dirt encrusted artefact, a codex of the art and science of hip hop based on a blueprint etched in concrete during a period of innovation. It bears the marks of the late 1980s and early 90s when the elemental standards were laid down by a small elite.
The artefact in question is For The Term of His Natural Life, the debut solo LP from Australia’s finest lyrical craftsman, Trem One. To say début is misleading, though. With a small but revered discography including two sought after vinyl EPs and his work with the Lyrical Commission on his own Unkut Recordings label, Trem is an elder statesman. Finally, For The Term… makes good on all the promises of his back catalogue. Following up on 2010’s rapturously received teaser single Omega Man, this project hits every target set for it.
From 6-9pm tomorrow night in Fitzroy Melbourne, you can take part in something that’s usually only available to the industry heads, an Official Listening Party for Trem’s – For The Term Of His Natural Life. These words were posted on Trem’s website a few days ago.
“We takin it back with this one, but its something I always thought was a cool concept although generally initially catering to industry heads, why not flip it on its ear and invite everyone?The first of a series of listening parties, we are kickin off the album release festivities with a bang. Melbourne heads & touring interstaters, please join us at the Laundry Bar in Fitzroy on Friday the 7th Oct. between 6-9pm to help celebrate the release of this thing! Regardless of whether you’re an industry type, Trem fan or street urchin we’d love you to come along and help celebrate such a momentous occasion! I’ll be offloading the album as well so if you havent had the opportunity to secure a copy via pre-order and can’t hit up one of the dope Indy spots stocking it on Friday, I got you covered (while they last of course!) We’re also screening the first viewing of my new clip ‘Animal Kingdom’ a track produced by non other than Beat Butcha, featuring Donny The Chief of my Kings Konekted fam and executed by the Game Changers (Josh, Heata n Hank)! It’ll screen live to air on youtube as well round the same time but what better way to peep it than on the big screen! So if you’re free, on your way home, or on your way out, we’d love to see you there, the Laundry’s even offering half priced longnecks to kick the weekend off in style…”
There will be a couple of Listening Parties taking place over the month of October. Brisbane and Adelaide outdoor dates to be confirmed in the next few days. Stay tuned. If you haven’t already check out our recent interview with Trem on his For The Term Of His Natural Life album release right here.Trem – For The Term Of His Natural Life is out tomorrow.
In a time capsule unearthed in an overgrown train yard on the outskirts of Melbourne, archaeologists discover a dirt encrusted artifact, a codex of the art and science of hip hop based on a blueprint etched in concrete during a period of innovation. It bears the marks of the late 1980s and early 90s when the elemental standards were laid down by a small elite.
The artifact in question is For The Term of His Natural Life, the debut solo LP from Australia’s finest lyrical craftsman, Trem One.To say debut is misleading, though. With a small but revered discography including two sought after vinyl EPs and his work with the Lyrical Commission on his own Unkut Recordings label, Trem is an elder statesman. Finally, For The Term… makes good on all the promises of his back catalogue. Following up on 2010’s rapturously received teaser single Omega Man, this project hits every target set for it.
Long-awaited doesn’t being to describe Trem’s first full-length, but the notorious perfectionist was never going to release anything less than a flawless gem: “I could’ve dropped varying versions of a solo album many times over, but it wouldn’t be this one. This is the one that I envisioned.”
Having fine-tuned his production chops on two Lyrical Commission releases and Brad Strut’s acclaimed Legend: Official, Trem now steps back from the boards somewhat, producing three cuts himself and inviting Beat Butcha (UK), Amazing Maze (Germany), Thorotracks (NYC), Must, Wik and long time compatriot Prowla to contribute to the soundscape. The result is a coherent 14-tracker that evokes the early nineties with a reactionary vigour. For The Term… exploits the prototypes of finely crafted braggadocio, visceral storytelling and the art of metaphor epitomised by MCs such as Rakim.
Beyond the razor sharp battle verses, the rush of the mission is depicted on the vivid graf narrative Hard Yards and Trem talks like sex on the sticky and lewd Strips. Elsewhere, Ever Since and Reminisce trace the roots of his career back to the 80s while Kings Court is a time-honoured ode to skills over suitably regal beat from Prowla.
Throughout the album, artfully collaged vocal snippets are deployed in the place of a hook by Prowla, DJ Bonez, DJ Dcide and Trem himself. Moreover, Trem breaks down the fading science of crate digging and chorus cuts alongside a masterful example of the latter from California’s DJ Revolution on For The Record.
Complementing the painstakingly composed verses and carefully considered cuts is an equal precision in selecting guests. Brisbane’s Kings Konekted is represented on two tracks, with the group’s Dontez providing the menacing chorus on second single Animal Kingdom. Both Dontez and Culprit commit verses to Russian Roulette, which also features Brad Strut. This grim and epic centrepiece to the album could be read as a passing of the torch from Lyrical Commission to one of the few new names worthy of carrying the flame.
Speaking of the rare collaboration outside his core crew, Trem notes: “I personally think they have the makings of something real special, but for whatever reason don’t seem to get the recognition of other new schoolers with half the talent. Konekted have crafted a mad original style that’s all they’re own but still sits within the blueprint’s guidelines.”
Another unexpected collaboration is a dream match up with Brisbane’s own old hand Lazy Grey on the vicious Vet Clinic, an interstate exercise in amateur euthanasia. In Trem’s words: “Collaborating with Lazy has been on the to-do list for a real long time and for various reasons it never eventuated. After tinkering with the idea for a while during the album’s making, it wasn’t til the right beat landed in my lap that I thought, shit, that’s the one! I am truly honoured to have the god on board.”
In a final surprise, lead single Omega Man is reprised and flipped with help from Brooklyn’s Q-Unique (ex-The Arsonists, and a guest on Lyrical Commission’s – Murderous Metaphors) and a fresh verse by Trem: “Being that there was a chunk of time between the single and the album I wanted to give it some new light. Instead of a traditional remix, I let that ill Prowla beat ride and rehashed my verse, adding a new dimension. Re-acquainting with Q on the track was a no-brainer.”
The sum of these parts is equal measures history lesson, skills seminar and classic storytelling. For the Term of His Natural Life is the culmination of twenty years of hard labour, an unapologetic exercise in hip hop artisanship that steps outside of time to take its rightful place in the Antipodean rap canon.
For the Term of His Natural Life will be available through independent records stores, directly from www.unkutrecordings.com and digitally via iTunes.
• Commencing with the album release, a Limited Edition Artist Series of merch will drop, each linking a leading Australian graffiti writer with a song on the album. Linz, who also painted the album cover, tackles ‘Kings Court’ for the debut t-shirt. Next up, Sofles will handle ‘Strips’, with later editions to be announced.
• A video for the second single ‘Animal Kingdom’ featuring Dontez of Kings Konekted, will drop to coincide with the album release, executed by Josh Davis, Heata and Discourse, who also delivered the stunning high definition clip for ‘Omega Man’
Tracklist 1. Intro ft DJ Revolution 2. For the Term of His Natural Life 3. Animal Kingdom ft Dontez of Kings Konekted 4. Omega Man 5. One man… (skit) 6. Ever Since 7. Hard Yards 8. Russian Roulette ft Brad Strut & Kings Konekted 9. Strips 10. Intermish (skit) 11. For the Record 12. Vet Clinic ft. Lazy Grey 13. Reminisce ft Brad Strut 14. A king is… (skit) 15. Kings Court 16. Same Shit 17. Naaaaahhh… (skit) 18. Omega Man Mk II ft Q-Unique
Obese Records’ latest family member has been blazing a name for himself since 2005. From his early work with the group Equills and local Melbourne outfit Illzilla (fronting the group on their debut EP and Wasteland full length), Mantra’s captivating flow and intelligent lyrical connections continue to elevate his status as one of Australia’s most talented MCs as touted by both artists and fans. Mantra gives us an exclusive sneak peek at Self-Destruct featuring Promoe, a track off his upcoming album Speaking Volumes, out September 9th.
Shot by: Ginger Van Es for Macula Productions Edited by: Romy Handley for Macula Productions
Having established himself with his group efforts alongside guest spots on acclaimed work by Chasm (2008’s Beyond the Beat Tape), Urthboy and Diafrix, Mantra’s history speaks for itself. With unmatched freestyle ability and a war chest of influences ranging from Jehst, Pharoah Monch and Mos Def to Hendrix and Otis Redding, Mantra is ready to once again break out with this highly anticipated release. Fuelled by unmistaken talent and a passion for the discipline Mantra is back Speaking Volumes. The fist single from Speaking Volumes entitled Got Me Wrong feat.Parvyn Kaur Singh will be available on iTunes August 12.
MANTRA – RAPPERTAG #39 Filmed by El Davros on the set of the Got Me Wrong music video, coming soon. Beat produced by Must.
Maggot Mouf starting in 98 writing raps in government flats. He then moved on to the open mic and battle scene – holding it down throughout the ACT. After years of burning weak cunts and getting a name for himself, he co-formed Canberra’s alikeminds crew in 2002 and took the live show scene by storm supporting the likes of Jungle Brothers, Braintax, Disorder, Mystro, Lyrical Commission, Reason, and Hospice Crew just to name a few.
In 2005 Maggot Mouf relocated to Melbourne and met up with old Canberra counterparts, the Hospice Crew, which saw the recording of Read ‘Em and Weap. The song made it to the monolithic Visiting Hours project, and Maggot Mouf has since scooped up beats and worked on projects with numerous Hospice members and Melbourne locals. You’re All Ears features guest spots by Dekoda, 1/6 and Scotty Hinds. Production by Joey Gargoyle, Ciecmate, C-Rodent, Mizari, Bigfoot, Must And Sammy Scissors. Cuts by DJ Paypercutts, DJ Buick, and Sammy Scissors.
In Short:
What: Maggot Mouf – You’re All Ears
Drops: July 16.
Featuring Dekoda, 1/6, Scotty Hinds
Production from: Joey Gargoyle, Ciecmate, C-Rodent, Mizari, Bigfoot, Must and Sammy Scissors
Cuts by: DJ Paypercutts, DJ Buick Sammy Scissors.
Out through Broken Tooth Entertainment
Distributed by Obese.
Pre-order here with special deals through JB Hi-Fi.
Track Listing
1. Intro
2. Village of the Dammed
3. Puppet Master
4. Asshole
5. Mr Swarv
6. Footrot Flats
7. Never would admit it
8. Interlude
9. Confined Spaces
10. She sells seashells
11. Wat U Looking at
12. Cut
13. Spit
14. Kind Regards
15. Over
16. Outro
