Author: Jim Steps

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Born Fresh

Vegas Aces – Departure EP

Jim Steps

Vegas Aces – comprised of 4th and Cam Bluff are fast becoming one of the most exciting hip hop acts to come out of Brisbane. Since releasing their debut E.P V.A.All.Day in 2010 they have moved from strength to strength – from winning the triple j Sprung Festival Competition to being one of the first Featured Artists on the newly established Unearthed digital station – they show no signs of slowing down. The duo have been carefully crafting their next free digital release Departure, as well as the full length album Coming Home, both due for release in 2012. Fresh off the … Continue reading Vegas Aces – Departure EP

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Creative Vibes

Def Wish Cast – Evolution Machine

Jim Steps

Def Wish Cast are back in full force with the release of their 20th Anniversary album, Evolution Machine! Always staying true to the culture, DWC utilize Hip Hop’s purist elements to transport us through time and space. This is futuristic B-boy funk at its finest!  Production is handled by M-Phazes, Plutonic Lab, DJ JS1, Katalyst, Resin Dogs, Dizz1 plus more, and features a stack of guests, including Thomas Rock on vocoder, Joyride, Tom Thum, Thvy Ear, Spikey Tee, and more. Def Wish Cast – Evolution Machine  is available May 18th on Creative Vibes Track list:  01. Entry feat Tom Thum (prod by the Human Beatbox … Continue reading Def Wish Cast – Evolution Machine

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Myspherical Entertainment

Eloquor – I Know

Jim Steps

Eloquor has released a new video clip for the heavy hitting track I Know. Taken from his 2011 EP Human Condition, I Know delves into the many challenges Eloquor has faced over the years. The video was shot by the talented crew at Cinematic Media, the beat produced by Hattori Honzo. Human Condition out now on Myspherical Entertainment, available on itunes. Cuts by Slap 618 and mixed by Jase Beathedz. Eloquor was also the local support for the recent Atmosphere and Evidence gig in Melbourne May 10th at The HiFi Bar. Video Direction: Carl Allison and Nick Kozakis and Video Production: Cinematix … Continue reading Eloquor – I Know

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Born Fresh

Mr Hill x Seven – Animals Remix

Jim Steps

Following the ruckus that was 360’s Boys Like You tour, playing to sold out venues across the country, Seven hops straight back on the road with label mates and party starters, Vegas Aces and Purpose.  Seven’s – Good Thing has spent over 3 months at the top of the AIR radio charts as a proven tongue-in-cheek radio favourite. Not one to care for sales, the single and following EP were given to the masses free, receiving rave reviews. His show isn’t much different; care-free and full of cheek, something that has proven to be a success with crowd after crowd. Life’s too short to be serious. Produced … Continue reading Mr Hill x Seven – Animals Remix

Crate Cartel

Maundz – Zero

Jim Steps

Straight out of Melbourne city comes one of the Nation’s most talked about MC’s, Maundz, ready to unleash his highly anticipated sophomore LP titled Zero upon the masses. Flying the flag high for the scenes undeniably most hyped up emerging independent force that is Crate Cartel, Maundz is joined by fellow Cartelian and beat smith extraordinaire WIK for the entirety of what is sure to be heralded as one of the country’s slickest hip hop releases to date.  Wik, having proved his skills behind the sp1200 in recent local releases, has collected an eclectic slew of head nodders for and neck … Continue reading Maundz – Zero

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Obese Records

Illy + M-Phazes: Friday Flips #2

Jim Steps

Friday Flips is a collaboration between Illy and M-Phazes. Over the coming months, Friday Flips will see the boys release re-workings of well known current, and classic, tracks from all corners of the music world. As with everything Illy and Phizzle do, the supporters are the driving force behind Friday Flips. The result – each track will be built from songs suggested by you guys. On any Friday that the call is put out for track suggestions, hit them up with whatever track you’d like to see ‘Flipped‘. They’ll pick a track that day, flip it over the week, and release it the following Friday. As a thanks for the continued support … Continue reading Illy + M-Phazes: Friday Flips #2

Independent, Unknowho Records

Allday X C1 – A Skateboard Soiree

Jim Steps

A Skateboard Soiree EP is a collaborative effort between rapper Allday (Tom Gaynor) and producer C1 (Sione Sisifa). Allday tells of his experiences with relationships, teenage angst, identity and mortality through his honest writing delivered through his refreshing and buoyant approach, often melodic and always engaging. There are obvious influences of skateboard culture and 90s attitude that encapsulates the timeless feeling of youth. The production by C1 partners Allday’s style perfectly incorporating the smooth and soulful blend of samples and synths to create a nostalgic sentiment. A Skateboard Soiree is the beginning of a new brand in Australia. Allday  || … Continue reading Allday X C1 – A Skateboard Soiree

allaussie hip hop exclusive

K21 – Single Minded Civilian Out Now!

Jim Steps

Adelaide’s K21 introduces his highly anticipated debut LP Single Minded Civilian. The title track Won’t Stop produced by Mdusu has been well received amongst the hoards and is still available as a free download from K21′s website. The release of the single also coincided with the release of the official film clip by Capital Waste.   Single Minded Civilian features a host of Australia’s finest emcees including Trials, Vents, Sesta, Brad Strut and more, also production from Sesta, Trials, Vampts and K21, plus you will also be treated to a host of murderous cuts from DJ’s Snair, adfu and PT.  On Saturday May 19, K21 will launch his album Single Minded Civilian at the Rocket Bar feat. Claz … Continue reading K21 – Single Minded Civilian Out Now!

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Obese Records

Chasm – This Is How We Never Die Tour

Jim Steps

This Is How We Never Die is the refreshingly on-point third instalment from prestigious Sydney producer Chasm. True to the quality displayed throughout debut album Beyond the Beat Tape (2008), and Move (with Vida Sunshyne, 2010) Chasm proves himself once more as a consummate composer. Joined by local and international artists; This Is How We Never Die features USA underground vocal heavyweights AG (Showbiz & AG), Guilty Simpson (Stones Throw), Vast Aire (Def Jux), and Fashawn (One), New Zealand’s Dave Dallas, and Blak Twang (UK). Not to mention an assortment of Australia’s top lyricists including Solo, Lazy Grey, Mdusu, Delta, Dialectrix and Brad Strut. Chasm approaches beats like a … Continue reading Chasm – This Is How We Never Die Tour

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Golden Era Records

Hilltop Hoods – The Good Life In The Sun

Jim Steps

To celebrate the launch of the Hilltop Hoods Speaking in Tongues National Australian Tour the Hilltop Hoods are giving away The Good Life In The Sun – the official Drinking From The Sun Remix EP. With all tracks remixed by Suffa, the EP features Black Thought, Lotek, Chali 2na, Classified, Solo, Briggs, Plutonic Lab & One Above. The Good Life In The Sun Remix EP is available from the Hilltop Hoods website as a free download and can be picked up as a hard copy at the Speaking In Tongues National Australian Tour only. After being hailed as one of the major draw cards for The … Continue reading Hilltop Hoods – The Good Life In The Sun

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Grindin'

David Dallas – East Coast Tour

Jim Steps

Back by popular demand New Zealand Hip Hop artist David Dallas returns to the East Coast of Australia with his full live band The Daylight Robbery and special guests. David Dallas begins The Rose Tint turning over a new leaf, stating there will be no more sitting round, wishing things were different round here. And so the tone is set for the South Auckland rappers sophomore album (nominated for NZ Music Award Album Of The Year, Best Urban/Hip Hop Album and Best Male Solo Artist), with his self-motivational dialogue as the running theme. I write songs to inspire myself and hopefully … Continue reading David Dallas – East Coast Tour

allaussie hip hop exclusive, EMI Records, Soulmate Records

360 Returns From UK, Smashes Groovin’ The Moo & Sets Sights On The Flying Tour

Jim Steps

As of yesterday there is exactly one month until Melbourne rapper 360 kicks off his highly anticipated and much hyped Flying Tour. This morning also heralds the news that Six’s second Sydney date, the Metro on Friday June 29 has completley sold out. Sydneysiders can simply still not get enough of the man, his original Sydney tour date at the Come Together Festival sold out within 24 hours of going on sale forcing the announcement of the Metro show which has now sold out a whole month before the tour even kicks off. It’s not just the Metro that has … Continue reading 360 Returns From UK, Smashes Groovin’ The Moo & Sets Sights On The Flying Tour

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Groove Penguin Records

Tom Showtime featuring The Psyde Projects – Funk Pants

Jim Steps

What do you get when Melbourne’s own ‘Purveyor Of Fine Funk‘ and Australia’s premier ‘Golden Era’ hip hop group collaborate? You get Funk Pants. Fresh from the release of his debut album The Jam Thief, Tom Showtime produces a beat with so much funk that only The Psyde Projects could possibly match. D-Fro, ILResponce and Mr Moonshine add their party rocking flavour that ensures this release will set dance floors stir crazy. Featuring big horn lines, a crate digger’s funk loop, punchy rhymes and catchy hook, it will please funksters and hip hop heads alike. Completing the release is Moonshine’s Boogie Flip, … Continue reading Tom Showtime featuring The Psyde Projects – Funk Pants

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Independent

B Wise – The Benchman

Jim Steps

23 year old Emcee B Wise was born and raised between Rural NSW and the city of Sydney, he has displayed a strong passion for writing music since an early age, with his first public presence originally starting off as a party Emcee in his local area.  As time went on, Wise managed to nurture this talent and become one of the original founding members of Sydney hip hop trio Konnected As 1 – or better known as K1. In 2010 Wise released his first solo Mixtape titled A Word To The Wise featuring some of the freshest beats. Earlier in … Continue reading B Wise – The Benchman

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Tape Death

Interview: Mdusu – 88 1/2 EP

Jim Steps

First things first – it’s pronounced muh-DOO-soo, & it’s spelled M-D-U-S-U , lets just call the MC/producer from Hobart Duse or MD. Duse has recently released a ‘name your price’ EP titled the 88 1/2 EP. The Tape Death Collective member catches up with aahh to talk about the new EP.  What brought about the newEP? Basically, I’d spent the past year working like a madman on beats, rhymes, session muso work & post-production for a heap of cats (no arrogance, but I can almost guarantee that if you like hip hop from Australia, you’ve heard my work this year). I … Continue reading Interview: Mdusu – 88 1/2 EP

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Independent

Purpose – Drop The Bomb

Jim Steps

Drop the Bomb is the second song Purpose has let out the bag off of his highly anticipated debut album Where It Starts. Another self-produced track with his trademark thumping drums, this one is sure to shred your speakers to bits. Catch Purpose on the road with Sevens & Vegas Aces through May on the No Way Home Tour, hitting Melbourne and Perth this weekend followed by Sydney ad Brisbane, tickets available now. Facebook  ||  Youtube  ||  Twitter  || IfTheCityHadAVoice.Com Continue reading Purpose – Drop The Bomb

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Born Fresh

Cam Bluff Interview: Real Beats

Jim Steps

After both artists had been doing their own things respectively, (Cam Bluff & 4th) Vegas Aces linked up officially mid 2010 and have been creating buzz ever since. The two have been crafting their sophomore EP at the same time as well as trail-blazing the live show circuit with many incredible acts such as Spit Syndicate, Illy, 360, Seven and Mr Hill just to name a few. We hear that Vegas Aces will be aiming to release a free EP at the end of the month, can you tell us a bit about this project? Well this project has been in the making for the last 8 … Continue reading Cam Bluff Interview: Real Beats

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Unknowho Records

Dialect & Despair – Self Evident

Jim Steps

This is the first promotional drop from Adelaide’s Dialect & Despair as they gear up to release a follow up to their highly successful underground classic The Vortex. OC of DITC drops the name of the new album for the very first time, Self Evident.  The clip was shot while D&D visited NYC for a month. Stay tuned for more details as they are released. Dialect also appeared on No Ideas Original Radio Show with DJ Enyoutee, Joe Gibbs & Antidote while in New York for a chat about Hip Hop, the new album plus some live freestyles. You can check that one out here. Dialect … Continue reading Dialect & Despair – Self Evident

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Elefant Traks

Thundamentals – Calm In The Chaos (Master Of Ribongia Remix)

Jim Steps

After releasing their sophomore album Foreverlution, Thundamentals have been no strangers to the road, raising roofs and causing hangovers where ever they go. They’ve toured with Outkast’s Big Boi, ARIA Award winning and #1 Album Hip Hop artist Drapht, a slew of festivals including their show stopping NYE performance at Peats Ridge and their own massive headline tour. Thundamentals have just completed the end of their 5th lap around the country in less than 9 months with Australian legends The Herd on their 1000 Lives Tour, which also saw supports from newly signed Elefant Traks artist Sky’high. In celebration, Thundamentals have released … Continue reading Thundamentals – Calm In The Chaos (Master Of Ribongia Remix)

Karsniogenics, Obese Distribution

Jake Biz – Commercial Hell

Jim Steps

It’s been many years in the brewing, now finally Brisbane underground hip hop legend Jake Biz’s debut album Commercial Hell is ready for the tasting. Riding off the back of his highly successful debut single, Deuce Deuce, Commercial Hell is set for national release on Karsniogenics through Obese Records Distribution on May 18, 2012. Commercial Hell was produced by Jake Biz’s long time friend and fellow 750 Rebel Overproof Pete –aka Brookes Cullings and features valuable contributions by crew members and old mates including the legendary Lazy Grey, DJ Lopsided, Bigfoot, Tornts, Ken Oath and Fluent Form. Commercial Hell is … Continue reading Jake Biz – Commercial Hell

allaussie hip hop exclusive, allaussie hip hop interviews3 Comments

Chance Waters: To Infinity & Beyond

Jim Steps

Following the release of the title track from his soon to be released sophomore album, Infinity, Sydney hip-hop artist Chance Waters (formerly Phatchance) announces that he will hit the road for a series of East Coast shows this April and May. Infinity is produced by Adelaide artist-to-watchOne Above, who recently produced The Hilltop Hoods’ #1 Single ‘I Love It ft. Sia’ as well as numerous songs from Chance’s debut LP, Inkstains. Recently you have departed from the Phatchance title to perform under your real name Chance Waters. What was the reasoning behind the name change? Honestly it was a personal thing, when people asked me what I did and I explained to … Continue reading Chance Waters: To Infinity & Beyond

allaussie hip hop exclusive, allaussie hip hop interviews, Broken Tooth Entertainment

Tornts Interview: Tales Of Trauma

Jim Steps

From the depths of Melbourne, the highly respected rapper and venomous author, Tornts, is back with his highly anticipated LP, Concrete Slang. Broken Tooth Entertainment’s most prolific MC returns with a hard-hitting dose of reality rap and imagery riddled visions of city life in 2012. Explain to us the concept behind the title of your new album Concrete Slang and how that relates to the tracks on the album? I set out to do an album that had a lot real life rap content and story type joints about living in Melbourne…so ‘Concrete Slang’ relates to what I’m rapping/writing about…life in the city … Continue reading Tornts Interview: Tales Of Trauma

allaussie hip hop exclusive

aahh spotlight on: Empress MC

Jim Steps

More often than not, when it comes to the realm of hip-hop, women tend to be grouped in a class separately to their male counterparts, almost like they could never reach the level of talent that male MC’s do. The phrase “she’s good for a female rapper” is all too familiar and one that, in reality, shouldn’t even exist, especially when real talent knows no boundaries. Preparing for her ascendance into the hip hop stratosphere for many years now, Sydney’s Empress MC is ready to show the world what she’s about, not only as a rapper, but as a writer and … Continue reading aahh spotlight on: Empress MC

Crate Cartel

Maundz – Take It Back Mixtape

Jim Steps

Crate Cartel presents The Take It Back Mixtape, which marks the lead up to Maundz’s upcoming album Zero set for release on May 25th. Take a step back in time and listen to all the classic Maundz tracks including live radio show goodness, rare tracks, and the collaborative efforts from some of the scenes finest.   Take It Back has 22 monster tracks including the recently released track Take It Back feat. Bias B. The mixtape also features Fluent Form, Geko, Rave, Aetcix, Dialectrix, Fatty Phew Deece, Rigby, Force and Awbs. Take It Back also features production from Wik, Geko, Discource, … Continue reading Maundz – Take It Back Mixtape

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Broken Tooth Entertainment

Maggot Mouf – Runnin’ With Scissors

Jim Steps

Born from a hazy laboratory, where the scent of stale weed smoke wafts among brown paper bags covering empty longnecks, and calloused thumbs clutch PlayStation controllers in interim… Maggot Mouf’s – Running With Scissors took its form. The album is an imaginative journey from start to finish, with dark undertones unwilling to succumb to the played-out battle style status-quo of Hip-Hop. Honest, conceptual, topical, and often quite humorous, lyrics roll over both brooding and snappy arrangements to create the perfect Winter sound scape. After forming a bond after discovering a chemistry during the making of the You’re All Ears album (2010), Sammy … Continue reading Maggot Mouf – Runnin’ With Scissors

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Elefant Tracks, Obese Records

Chasm – Smokey

Jim Steps

This Is How We Never Die is the refreshingly on-point third instalment from prestigious Sydney producer Chasm. True to the quality displayed throughout debut album Beyond the Beat Tape (2008), and Move (with Vida Sunshyne, 2010) Chasm proves himself once more as a consummate composer. Joined by local and international artists; This Is How We Never Die features USA underground vocal heavyweights AG (Showbiz & AG), Guilty Simpson (Stones Throw), Vast Aire (Def Jux), and Fashawn (One), New Zealand’s Dave Dallas, and Blak Twang (UK). Not to mention an assortment of Australia’s top lyricists including Solo, Lazy Grey, Mdusu, Delta, Dialectrix … Continue reading Chasm – Smokey

allaussie hip hop exclusive

Illy + M-Phazes: Friday Flips

Jim Steps

Friday Flips is a collaboration between Illy and M-Phazes. Over the coming months, Friday Flips will see the boys release re-workings of well known current, and classic, tracks from all corners of the music world. As with everything Illy and Phizzle do, the supporters are the driving force behind Friday Flips. The result – each track will be built from songs suggested by you guys. On any Friday that the call is put out for track suggestions, hit them up with whatever track you’d like to see ‘Flipped‘. They’ll pick a track that day, flip it over the week, and release … Continue reading Illy + M-Phazes: Friday Flips

allaussie hip hop exclusive, DFTC Records, Tape Death

DFTC x Tape Death

Jim Steps

Tape Death is a beats collective making tunes in the style of Hip-Hop, Dub-Step, Glitch-Hop, Wonky and more. DFTC Records are a Melbourne based Hip-Hop label consisting of Force, Sparts, Dazed, Sinks and Mol One, taking it back to how things should be done. With the combination of the two collectives comes a new remix album DFTC x Tape Death. Featuring 14 banging tracks the album will be dropping April 29 through dftc.com.au. The release will be available in both digital and hard copy format. Tracklist: 1. 1, 2, 3 (MD Remix) 2. We Go Back (Ilz Remix) 3. No … Continue reading DFTC x Tape Death

allaussie hip hop exclusive

Funkoars – Vamoose

Jim Steps

The Funkoars have dropped a 3rd film clip from their critically acclaimed album The Quickening. Vamoose was produced by Full Clip Productions and features the acting stylings of Benjie McNair of Neighbours fame. The clip is a biting social commentary on the state of the economy done in true Oars fashion. The video is best summed up by YouTube user KrazyBot: “Absolutely moving and inspirational clip. The camera roll towards the protagonist creates a sense of desperation within the responder as we watch him try in vain to make enough sandwiches as he is struck by projectiles. Audience members are … Continue reading Funkoars – Vamoose

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Full Tote Odds – What’s Going Down

Jim Steps

Blasting out of the Adelaide Hills, Full Tote Odds are back with their second single, What’s Going Down. The iTunes-only track is accompanied by a slick filmclip produced and directed by Selina Miles and DJ Adfu from Unity Sound & Visual. What’s Going Down takes a cheeky look at how using sex as a power trip invariably ends in disaster. The warm Sixties organ samples and live bass bring a head-bopping funk flavour which is complimented by the Buffalo Springfield inspired hook. Cuts by DJ Hacksaw add a classic hip hop touch to round off this catchy new song. Building … Continue reading Full Tote Odds – What’s Going Down