Author: Jim Steps

allaussie hip hop exclusive

Phrase – Apart (New Single From 3rd Album ‘Babylon’)

Jim Steps

Described as a “garage stomper with rockabilly guitar twists”, the lead single from Phrase’s upcoming Babylon album is another evolutionary step in the career of the Melbourne-based musician. Debuted on Triple J the other night, Apart features You Am I’s – Davey Lane on the hook as Phrase further explores his rock tendencies with a louder, more brash delivery of his rhymes. “To me, ‘Babylon’ means a place of beauty and getting to a better point in life. That’s what the record represents,” offers Phrase of his upcoming album, which will include an eclectic cast of guests spanning Jimmy Barnes … Continue reading Phrase – Apart (New Single From 3rd Album ‘Babylon’)

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Elefant Tracks

The Herd – Signs Of Life (2nd single from upcoming album ‘Future Shade’)

Jim Steps

The Herd are set to unveil their fifth album, Future Shade, with a national run of dates this August and September. The news comes as the second single from the record, Signs of Life, got its first airing on triple j this afternoon. Support at the shows will come from new Darwin duo Sietta. Details below: Sat 6 Aug | Station Hotel, Jindabyne, NSW Sun 21 Aug | Darwin Festival, Darwin, NT Fri 26 Aug | UniBar, Hobart, TAS Sat 27 Aug | The Gov, Adelaide, SA Thu 1 Sep | Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay, NSW Fri 2 Sep … Continue reading The Herd – Signs Of Life (2nd single from upcoming album ‘Future Shade’)

Illusive Sounds, Rappertag

Eso – Rapper Tag #36 (Bliss N Eso)

Jim Steps

MC Eso’s Rapper Tag (#36) filmed live and direct during Bliss n Eso’s show at the Old Mount Gambier Gaol which took place on Saturday June 18. For everyone that missed it, don’t stress the guys recorded the entire show which will feature on a new live DVD they’ll be releasing later this year. Fri June 24 The Warehouse Devonport, TAS 18+Tickets through: Oztix.com.au / Ticketek.com.au (132 849) / Mojo Music (6334 5677) / Red Hot CDs (6424 9816) / Collectors Corner (6431 6616) / Ruffcut Records (6234 8600) Sat June 25 City Hall Hobart, TAS Licensed & All AgesTickets … Continue reading Eso – Rapper Tag #36 (Bliss N Eso)

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Obese Records

Mase N Mattic – Sound The Horns

Jim Steps

“Mase n Mattic are some really talented guys and dedicated artists, they’re always putting in work.I really look forward to hearing their debut album, especially with Adfu behind the boards.” – Suffa, Hilltop Hoods. Mase N Mattic have already gained a reputation for explosive live performances, both locally with the likes of Hilltop Hoods, Drapht, Funkoars, Urthboy & Phrase, and nationally as the supporting act for the sellout M-Phazes Good Gracious tour. Generating this measure of hype before a debut release is no mean feat, and places Mase N Mattic head and shoulders above emerging peers. Priding themselves on professionalism … Continue reading Mase N Mattic – Sound The Horns

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MoneyKat – Omar Musa & Mighty Joe

Jim Steps

MoneyKat is an international hip hop duo comprising Omar Musa (Australia) and Mighty Joe (USA). After being sporadic collaborators for years, a highly successful tour in Indonesia spurred them into creating MoneyKat, a group intent on bring their soulful, personal, political and poetic style to ears and minds. With contrasting accents, styles and tones, they are a dynamic musical partnership. Their debut album MoneyKat, recorded in the USA and Australia, will be released in mid 2011. Many people would recognise a money cat statue, painted gold with a waving paw, as a common feature of Asian grocery stores and restaurants. … Continue reading MoneyKat – Omar Musa & Mighty Joe

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Illusive Sounds2 Comments

Bliss N Eso – Running On Air Tour 2011

Jim Steps

Brisbane’s historic show: Last weekend marked an historic moment for Bliss n Eso & local hip hop with the 8000+ strong crowd at Brisbane’s Riverstage making it the biggest ever show for an Australian hip hop act! For everyone that missed it, don’t stress the guys recorded the entire show which will feature on a new live DVD they’ll be releasing later this year. The Running On Air Tour hits Adelaide and Mount Gambier this weekend: Friday night’s show at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre (Theatre room) is completely sold out – so be prepared Adelaide, this is going to be … Continue reading Bliss N Eso – Running On Air Tour 2011

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Phaze One – M-Phazes & Emilio Rojas

Jim Steps

2011 heralds the release of a trailblazing new collaboration between Australia’s production extraordinaire M-Phazes and dexterous US word-slinger Emilio Rojas. Combined, the pioneering duo is Phaze One. With an indisputably fortuitous future ahead of them, Rojas and Phazes have forged their self-titled release over two years of to-ing and flowing across the Pacific. Paying homage to the likes of DangerDoom, Jaylib and the masterful relationship of the Foreign Exchange, Phaze One has found synergism fusing vintage influences with modern approach. Emilio’s toughly executed social commentary emerges through tracks like Tic Toc, The Survivalist and Still Talk, whilst a lighter approach … Continue reading Phaze One – M-Phazes & Emilio Rojas

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Oxfam Australia presents: 3 things’ Hip Hop Approach

Jim Steps

3things, an initiative of Oxfam Australia, is back and joining forces with some of Australia’s best rappers, beat boxers, DJs, VJs and graphic artists, to create a hard-hitting hip hop event with a huge social conscience. It’s the Hip Hop Approach – a 3things event that gets Australian hip hop acts talking about their opinions and solutions to global poverty and injustice. Artists will jam on the 3things they can do to help change the world for the better, demonstrating the 3things philosophy – that we can change the world, 3things at a time. Across two cities, 3things’ Hip Hop … Continue reading Oxfam Australia presents: 3 things’ Hip Hop Approach

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Tom Showtime – Spaces & Places feat. Gift of Gab, Lotek & Ash.One

Jim Steps

Tom Showtime has many guises…  DJ, Producer, Saxophonist and Gramophone Enthusiast. From Be-Bop to Breakbeat, his passion for music is paralleled only to his enjoyment of watermelon, coffee and cricket. Having spent years spinning and collecting records in London, he returned home to Melbourne in 2008 and promptly released The Showtime EP, a head-nodding Trip Hop odyssey showcasing original horn lines. Three years later, the release of his debut album The Jam Thief will introduce a heavier sound. Beat driven, jazz flavoured tracks with ‘the funk’ always present. The first single Spaces & Places featuring Gift of Gab (US), Lotek … Continue reading Tom Showtime – Spaces & Places feat. Gift of Gab, Lotek & Ash.One

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LHA – Keep It Movin’

Jim Steps

LHA are Lee Hahn & Adikkal, a producer / MC duo based out of Sydney. Fusing elements of jazz, soul and funk on the bedrock of hip hop, LHA offer a unique brand of music that expands on traditional beats & rhymes hip hop. Both  captivated by the idea that a song should make you feel something, LHA make music to move you and music to groove to. Adikkal – Vocal/Emcee The vocals in LHA are largely left up to Sydney born and raised MC, Adikkal. A gifted and skilled freestyler, drawing on years of live experience with hip hop/funk/rock … Continue reading LHA – Keep It Movin’

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Minimal Aesthetics

Requiem: Grassroots debut offered up to the masses

Jim Steps

Local hip hop artist Requiem is moving forward into the digital era. Instead of swimming against the current the musician has decided to re-release his music online for free download. The rural Victorian born MC has uploaded his debut album Grassroots Anarchy onto popular music website Bandcamp for fans to download and share. Grassroots Anarchy was released in 2009 to critical acclaim and helped the young wordsmith make his mark on the local scene. “Requiem could be one of the greats of the most emerging hip-hop scene in the world today,” said RapReviews.com head writer Steve Juon. The album was … Continue reading Requiem: Grassroots debut offered up to the masses

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Evil Eddie – (Somebody Say) Evil

Jim Steps

Following the release of his brand new single and video (Somebody Say) Evil, ex-Butterfingers front man Evil Eddie is hitting the road in June and July for a series of shows in his home state of Queensland. Released in May, (Somebody Say) Evil is the second single from Eddie’s soon to be released debut album tentatively titled Welcome To Flavour Country.  A little bit evil and a little more strange, the track is trademark left-of-centre Eddie – just the way we love it. With an APRA award for Most Performed Urban Work already to his credit, Evil (as he is … Continue reading Evil Eddie – (Somebody Say) Evil

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Obeast Records

Hau back at it again: Audio newsletter goodness

Jim Steps

This time rocking over Madvillain’s, ‘Meat Grinder’ instrumental from their album, ‘Madvillainy Instrumentals’. Purchase here. See us perform… Tuned In. Also performing: Briggs, Tuka, The Last Kinection & Stunna Set. The Oxford Arts Factory, Oxford Street, Sydney. Friday, June 3rd Website  ||  Facebook  ||  Myspace  ||  Twitter  ||  Blog  ||  Youtube Continue reading Hau back at it again: Audio newsletter goodness

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Come Together Fest – Limited Tickets available!

Jim Steps

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 … Continue reading Come Together Fest – Limited Tickets available!

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Can You Dig It? In Good Company, Matte Blac, T-Bar & more!

Jim Steps

Head on down to The Workers Club for Can You Dig It? Hip Hop Showcase in Melbourne this Thursday night. Featuring: In Good Company (Whisper. Syntax, Breach), Matte Blac, Vintage Seed & T-Bar. This is going to be a massive night, so head down for some of the freshest hip hop in Melbourne. In Good Company Bluntly, each an accomplished recording artist in their own right, four Melbourne musicians have joined forces to create a free downloadable album for a clambering fast paced audience that is slowly becoming apathetic to the notion of the local music industry. Each with years … Continue reading Can You Dig It? In Good Company, Matte Blac, T-Bar & more!

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Wu-Tang Clan Australian tour

Jim Steps

Emerging in the mid 90s, New York City’s Wu-Tang Clan proved to be one of the decade’s most intense, popular and revolutionary rap groups selling millions of albums worldwide. The nine-MC Clan is considered one of the most critically and commercially successful hip-hop groups of all time, and rose to fame with their uncompromising brand of music. Not only was the group extremely successful as a collective, many individuals within the Clan went on to become solo stars in their own right. Within the inner sanctum of the Wu, dwell the core members of the clan consisting of Method Man, … Continue reading Wu-Tang Clan Australian tour

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Independent

Subsketch – Department Of Human Services

Jim Steps

Subsketch is a Sydney based Hip Hop artist (MC & Producer), originally from the Adelaide foot hills. The Subsketch story dates back to 2002 and the short lived group Def Before Dishonour. DBD were a 3-piece consisting of DJ Mula, MC Trubador & a then 17 year old Subsketch. Arriving out of nowhere, performing alongside some of Adelaide’s best including Delta, Terra Firma, Hilltop Hoods, After Hours and more, DBD wrote and produced an entire album before throwing it away, breaking up and vanishing as quickly as they had appeared. Subsketch cautiously re-emerged as a solo artist in 2004 with … Continue reading Subsketch – Department Of Human Services

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Born Fresh

New Joint By Tommy Illfigga

Jim Steps

This is the first of many mixtape joints over jacked beats that Tommy Illfigga is releasing in the lead up to his debut album release in mid August.Tommy’s album Walk a Mile is dropping August 15th – Let your mothers know about this heat! Lyrics I spit in cyphers and I’m known to rock My rap songs are so smoking hot they could catch on to frozen blocks n liquid nitrogen The flow I drop is that strong you listen twice n its like a Tyson hit ya Slippin vicoden n dozing off I’m Wind atop a cliff if ya … Continue reading New Joint By Tommy Illfigga

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Golden Era Records

Vents Rollin’ Balls Tour

Jim Steps

The wait is finally over with the arrival of Vents new album Marked For Death and fresh tour dates announced this week for SA and VIC – see details below: An imposing live performer Vents has toured nationally with Funkoars, and most recently Hilltop Hoods. In 2007 Vents enjoyed a level of mainstream success with his debut album Hard To Kill. The track Love Song was picked up by Triple j and in the following years he toured extensively, playing festivals such as Big Day Out, Homebake, Summadayze, One Movement and Groove is in the Park. May 13th this year saw … Continue reading Vents Rollin’ Balls Tour

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Red Bull Wreckers Yard (Sydney)

Jim Steps

Red Bull Wreckers Yard is taking street art culture from dark back alleys and the train tracks to the people. The best graff artists across Australia and New Zealand have been hand-picked to showcase their creative skill in a legit location. This unique competition consists of a seven city qualifiers: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Auckland and Wellington. Each qualifier will host eight of the best graff artists from that region to battle it out against one another, displaying their artistic flair, whilst spraying against the clock. Artists will be provided with just a blank canvas and cans of spray … Continue reading Red Bull Wreckers Yard (Sydney)

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Broken Tooth Entertainment

Ciecmate – Game Over

Jim Steps

We go track by track on the Game Over LP with Broken Tooth Entertainments’s very own Ciecmate. Ciecmate has craftily built a stable of some of Australia’s most influential underground hip hop artists. A scene builder. It’s time for him to reveal the vision he’s been refining over the past ten years. 1.) INTRO/SANE Ironically, this was actually the last song I did for the album.  I had already made the beat and was holding it and waiting for the right time to use it.  When I had finished all the other songs , I was searching for the right way to … Continue reading Ciecmate – Game Over

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Vents + Phaze One (M-Phazes & Emilio) to support Wu-Tang’s Australian Tour

Jim Steps

It took a few months of wrangling but acclaimed rap crew Wu-Tang Clan have finally confirmed their Australia tour details. Ghostface Killah called into triple j to reassure sceptical fans that the tour is still going ahead. “We coming over there to mash out and we’re going to be over there definitely”, the emcee said. “We got love for Australia and Australia has love for us. We wish we could come over there more often but we just need the right promoters to call us and stuff like that.” At the time Ghostface wasn’t exactly sure who had signed off to … Continue reading Vents + Phaze One (M-Phazes & Emilio) to support Wu-Tang’s Australian Tour

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Soulmate Records

360 – Behind The Scenes footage ‘Throw It Away feat. Josh Pyke’

Jim Steps

Nice little sneak peak at the Throw It Away feat. Josh Pyke video, dropping any minute now.This is the official second single from the forthcoming 360 album Falling & Flying. We hear that the album has been pushed back another month, now to be released mid-2011 on Soulmate/EMI.  Written by Colwell / Behr. Produced by Styalz Fuego. Josh Pyke appears courtesy of Ivy League Pty Ltd. Currently you can catch 360, Pez and Maya Jupiter on the Change It For The Better national tour supported by The Line. More information here. Check out our recent interview with 360, right here. 360: Falling, Flying, Fighting & Fucking. 360  ||  Soulmate Records   ||  Shooshcunt  ||  3ree6ixty Twitter  ||  Continue reading 360 – Behind The Scenes footage ‘Throw It Away feat. Josh Pyke’

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Golden Era Records

Vents announces SA and VIC tour dates for Rollin’ Balls Tour!

Jim Steps

The wait is finally over with the arrival of Vents new album Marked For Death and fresh tour dates announced this week for SA and VIC – see details below: Sunday 12th June (Queens Birthday Eve) – Gabrielles @ HQ – Adelaide  Friday 17th June – Esplanade Hotel Front Bar – Melbourne Saturday 18th June  – The Man Hotel – Falls Creek An imposing live performer Vents has toured nationally with Funkoars, and most recently Hilltop Hoods. In 2007 Vents enjoyed a level of mainstream success with his debut album Hard To Kill. The track Love Song was picked up by Triple … Continue reading Vents announces SA and VIC tour dates for Rollin’ Balls Tour!

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Don Streat – “Heat Rocks” (Production by M-Phazes)

Jim Steps

BMore’s Don Streat unites with Australia’s M-Phazes for Heat Rocks, a certified banger that undoubtedly lives up to the track title.  DJ Irie & DJ Kid Cut share hook duties by lacing a scratch chorus that puts the track over the top.  This track is featured off Don Streat’s FreEP Theory Pt. 2 which is now available.  Stay tuned for Don’s forthcoming LP Suicide Bars!! Don Streat or Cyrus whichever you want to call him is Baltimore hip-hop at its best. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland but currently living in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Don Streat Hip-Hop history runs deep with ties … Continue reading Don Streat – “Heat Rocks” (Production by M-Phazes)

allaussie hip hop exclusive, allaussie hip hop reviews

Purpose – If The City Had A Voice Pt. 2

Jim Steps

Adelaide emcee/producer and Pagen Elypsis member, Purpose has recently released a cracking mixtape tilted If The City Had A Voice Pt. 2. A lot of things have happened in the Purpose camp since the release of his first mixtape release If The City Had A Voice a few years ago. Leading up to If The City Had a Voice Pt. 2, Purpose has put out 5 releases both as solo artist and as an integral part of group efforts, toured the country and continued to grow both in and out of the studio as he honed his skills. This mixtape serves as a pre-cursor to his debut … Continue reading Purpose – If The City Had A Voice Pt. 2

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Trem – For The Term Of His Natural Life: Hip Hop, Heads & History (Interview)

Jim Steps

We catch up with Trem as he sets to release one of the most anticipated hip hop releases these shores have seen. The For The Term Of His Natural Life LP has been a long time coming and let us be the first to tell you…it’s nearly here. We catch up with the man from Unkut to talk about the Omega Man single, hip hop history and of course  everything album related.  The first single taken from the upcoming LP release ‘For The Term Of His Natural Life’ Omega Man has gone wild. The limited edition pack sold out across … Continue reading Trem – For The Term Of His Natural Life: Hip Hop, Heads & History (Interview)

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Competition: Win a signed copy of Realizm – Nasty Ill Filthy 12″

Jim Steps

You may have heard of Realizm, you may not have. He’s been cutting his teeth for the better half of a decade in the studio and the stage with a bunch of guest spots littered across various local and international releases. He has recently released a vinyl only 12″ called Nasty Ill Filthy featuring DJ Snair (The Battlehoggs), IDE (Creative Juices) from Brooklyn and Koolta from Adelaide. The vinyl only 12″ features four tracks and their four counterpart instrumentals; all produced by unsung beatsmith Amayze. This is the first project between the two Adelaide natives, with an album currently in the works. The … Continue reading Competition: Win a signed copy of Realizm – Nasty Ill Filthy 12″

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Rawlab Entertainment

Gzutek – This Is That

Jim Steps

Gzutek releases a free download leading into two upcoming Rawlab Entertainment releases. Gzutek is producing the upcoming 27 Politics – Your Hype Aint Shit EP and will also debut with a solo effort entitled The Silent G Chronicles. Both scheduled for dates later this year. Gzutek – This Is That Trem – Omega Man (Gzutek Remix) Gzutek is also appearing as part of the Rawlab crew support act for the Melbourne sneak previewshow for NJE – Like Food For The Soul.  Saturday, June 25 The Espy (Basement). Facebook Event page.  Tickets here. TheRawlab.com  ||  Zuiebeats.com Continue reading Gzutek – This Is That

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Hunter: The Documentary (Teaser)

Jim Steps

Robert Hunter was once know as the hard man of the local hip hop scene. Like rock stars in the past, hard drinking and drug taking went hand in hand with the music, and nobody went harder than Huntz. When Hunter was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2009, the last thing he expected was the huge outpouring of respect and support from the music scene he helped to build. Fans and big name artists alike rallied for the fundraising campaign Heat for Huntz, raising thousands of dollars for Hunter and his four year old son Marley. Now aged 35 and … Continue reading Hunter: The Documentary (Teaser)