After nine years in between drinks, WA hip hop institution Downsyde are pleased to announce the release of their fifth album ClassicILL.

Featuring the previously released tracks “Only Got Now” and “Richman”, and current single “Back In The Game”, ClassicILL is classic Downsyde with elements of boom bap, disco and funk. On the album’s ten minute centrepiece “Life Is Music”, Downsyde MCs Optamus, Dazastah and Shabaz are joined by their Syllabolix crew including Layla, Drapht and the late Hunter.

Formed in 1996 for a school talent competition, Downsyde kicked open the doors for West Australian hip hop artists as well as being early pioneers on the national scene. Since then they’ve released four acclaimed albums, won a stack of awards, had charting albums and singles and toured Australia and the world numerous times, building up a legion of fans across the globe.

In the year’s since their last release “All City”, the group’s members have been busy on numerous projects including Dazastah touring with Drapht, producing for A.B. Original and Dr G. Yunupingu and Optamus running hip hop workshops with youth located in regional areas and with incarcerated inmates.

To celebrate the release of ClassicILL, Downsyde will be throwing a launch party at the Rosemount Hotel in North Perth on Saturday December 9. Special guests on the night will be Srictly DT & DJ Tech, Penny Purr, Modern Day Crisis, The Manhattan Project plus more.

“ClassicILL” is OUT NOW

UPCOMING SHOWS:
Sat 9 Dec – ClasicIll Album Launch – North Perth, WA