Category: Obese Records

Obese Records

Simplex 2011 Wrap Up

Jim Steps

In 2011, Simplex released his debut solo album Audio Biography, much to the anticipation of fans. Following the release he embarked on 2 tours around the country, accompanied by Motion & Madcap, that saw him playing a variety of shows alongside Doom (USA), Briggs, Layla & Dazastah, Pegz, Dialectrix and more. After a busy start to the year, Simplex returned to the studio in June to start working on a few remix projects for other artists, while shooting videos for Be Somebody and Worldwide in the latter part of the year – both to be released soon. Simplex also flexed … Continue reading Simplex 2011 Wrap Up

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Skryptcha 2011 Wrap Up

Jim Steps

For Skryptcha, 2011 was a year of travel, experience and studio time –with his head down since early January 2011 working on a new album. All year long Skryptcha has been exchanging with producer from New York called Illmind, who he met up with whilst in the US in April to discuss plans for the album and work on tracks. During his time abroad, Skryptcha visited places like New Orleans, Memphis & New York, drawing inspiration from the cities. Even though much of his time was spent in the studio, Skryp still found space to tour a large part of the … Continue reading Skryptcha 2011 Wrap Up

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Thundamentals 2011 Wrap Up

Jim Steps

To much anticipation, Foreverlution hit store shelves in July and Thundacats responding instantly taking the band into the ARIA and AIR charts for the first time ever. Debuting at #3 on the AIR Charts, #17 on the ARIA Urban Charts + #19 on the ARIA Australian Charts. It’s first single Paint The Town Red was already getting a pasting on airwaves across the country with their 2nd How You Been? also being added to triple j rotation. The critics responded in kind with the fans praising the album for its immaculate production and international sound. Soon after its release Thundamentals hit the … Continue reading Thundamentals 2011 Wrap Up

Obese Records

Spit Syndicate 2011 Wrap Up

Jim Steps

Spit Syndicate began the year with a very special, sold-out acoustic show with Horrorshow and Joyride at The Basement in Sydney, followed by a handful of shows. Nick Lupi and Jimmy Nice then took some much-needed time-out , during which Nick snuck away overseas to travel through Mexico and the USA– looking for inspiration for the next record. Upon Nick’s return to Australia, the Double S hit the studio straight away to work on new music. The boys played the Obese Winter Block Party in Jindabyne before releasing part one of a new mixtape. Best Intentions: Part One, a free … Continue reading Spit Syndicate 2011 Wrap Up

Obese Records

Muph & Plutonic 2011 Wrap Up

Jim Steps

2011 has seen Muph & Plutonic hit stages again, playing Come Together, Essence, Reconciliation, Life’s A Beach festivals as a stripped back two piece with Plutonic on drums & Muph on the mic. They then hit the road on the national Party, Party, Party tour with Drapht throughout September / October. Plutonic continues to find extra hours in the week with his list of production credits continuing to reinforce his as one of the best & most prolific Australian beat producers in the game. Drapht, Gully Platoon, Horrowshow, Resin Dogs, TZU, Hilltop Hoods have all chosen to work with Plutonic Lab, … Continue reading Muph & Plutonic 2011 Wrap Up

Obese Records

M-Phazes 2011 Wrap Up

Jim Steps

M-Phazes, serial multi-tasker and our biggest international export, had a jam-packed ’11 touring, collaborating and producing some of the freshest sounds permeating our atmosphere. July 1st saw Phazes team up with dexterous US word-slinger Emilio Rojas to release self-titled album Phaze One. The two forged album over two years of to-ing and flowing across the Pacific, the LP features guest vocals from Illy, Mela Machinko (Pharoahe Monch and Jean Grae), and Mateo. Phaze One supported Wu Tang Clan on their Australian tour in early August. As well as his heavy involvement in a large portion of this year’s Australian hip hop releases … Continue reading M-Phazes 2011 Wrap Up

Obese Records

Illy 2011 Wrap Up

Jim Steps

2011 was a mammoth year for Illy. Following the release of his acclaimed second album The Chase in late 2010, it seemed Australia could not get enough of the young trailblazer. Smash hit single It Can Wait (feat. Owl Eyes) made ARIA Gold status selling more than 35,000 units. It was also nominated for best independent single 2011 AIR Awards, where The Chase was nominated for best hip hop and best urban album.  The Chase Album Tour in March was a great success, with two sold out shows at The Corner Hotel to his home-crowd. Later in the year Illy went on … Continue reading Illy 2011 Wrap Up

Obese Records

Dialectrix 2011 Wrap Up

Jim Steps

2011 has been a BIG year for the lyrical powerhouse, Dialectrix. Riding on the success of his second solo album, Audio Projectile, which was released in late 2010 (produced by Plutonic Lab), D-trix continued to smash the airwaves with hit singles Pieces of a Puzzle and Whut!. Along the way he encountered some career highlights including his live performance on Triple J’s Like A Version, where he and Pluto remade the classic Spiderbait track Buy Me A Pony. He also showcased his live skills to numerous cities as part of the Audio Projectile Tour, with label mate Pegz on his Bombs … Continue reading Dialectrix 2011 Wrap Up

Obese Records

Thundamentals – How You Been? Teaser

Jim Steps

Building upon Sleeping On Your Style’s outstanding production, eclectic musical influences and compelling rhymes, Foreverlution is, as the title would suggest, a deliberate blend of timeless organic tones interspersed with more contemporary sounding influences.  From the ominously dulcet foghorn that intro’s opening track Holla through the big band enthused bombasticism of Calm In The Chaos, lead single Paint The Town Red and the Parisian swell of Check My Fresh (feat. Vida-Sunshyne), the first half of Foreverlution drips with 1920’s speakeasy soul. But though this and an old school RnB flavor permeate the record right through to the laid back Sunday afternoon slide … Continue reading Thundamentals – How You Been? Teaser

Obese Records

Window Of Time – The Reamixes Vol. 1

Jim Steps

Obese Records and Goonbag Radio presents: Window Of Time – The Reamixes Volume #1. Reason welcomes in the the New Year with the release of a free Reamix album available now. Having recently announced his retirement Reason’s legacy will continue to carry on for many years to come, a testament to a true pioneer of the local scene.  Window Of Time – The Reamixes Volume #1 features remixes by Trials, Dazed, Mase & Mattic, B Wiv, Concrete Jungle & MC Pete. Plus a bonus unreleased track prduced by Debate. Available now for free download, grab a copy of the Window of Time Reamixes … Continue reading Window Of Time – The Reamixes Vol. 1

Obese Records

Mantra – Voodoo Music Official Video

Jim Steps

In contrast to the lyrical introspection prominent in revered first single Got Me Wrong (featuring Parvyn Kaur Singh) (Triple J’s most requested song in the week following its release), Voodoo Music is essentially a celebration of Mantra’s aptitude for wordplay and metaphor. Crediting the production genius of young Melbourne wiz-kid Abstrakt with cuts from DJ Wasabi, Voodoo Music is characterized by its rupturing bass and pan flute-esk synths bringing Mantra’s audaciously swaggering flow to new heights. ‘One of the albums most bangin’ beats for sure. Produced by young buck Abztrakt, this track is all about the flow. I got really … Continue reading Mantra – Voodoo Music Official Video

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Reason – Window Of Time Video Clip

Jim Steps

Reason’s Window of Time is the final solo effort of his pioneering career, a true testament to his twenty plus years of dedication to Australian hip hop and reflective of his journey thus far. Window of Time, in essence, is intended to open minds and expose its listener to a mélange of historical, situational and currently pressing themes. Reason, both a school teacher and youth workshop facilitator, takes actualities to words with the intention of inspiring positive action. The album’s conceptual roots are of a worldly emphasis in contrast to the artists previous releases that were more indicative of his local scene. … Continue reading Reason – Window Of Time Video Clip

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The End Of An Era: Reason retires.

Jim Steps

Reason – an indisputable forefather of the Australian hip hop scene as we know it today; has announced his retirement after releasing Window of Time on November 4th. Though he is not short of qualities, perhaps Jason Shulman AKA Reason’s strongest virtue is his ability to bring people together. Since the very early stages of his career in hip hop Rea’ –as he’s affectionately known, was uniting crews nation-wide, a sure-fire keystone to the strength and productivity of the genre today. Whether a veteran of the culture or newbie –none can claim a knowledge of Australian hip hop history without … Continue reading The End Of An Era: Reason retires.

Obese Records

Illy Goes ARIA Gold!

Jim Steps

Illy’s smash-hit single It Can Wait feat. Owl Eyes has just received ARIA Gold status after selling its 35,000th copy! The Chase has been nominated for Best Urban Album at the 2012 ARIA Awards! To top that news, he is also back in the studio already after his huge tour with Spit Syndicate, M-Phazes and Sietta. “I have been in the studio with Phizzle pretty flat out working on shit for the next album (coming mid 2012) and it is really, really coming along well. Can’t wait to get some more stuff out. If you’ve been to one of the recent … Continue reading Illy Goes ARIA Gold!

Obese Records

Reason – Window Of Time

Jim Steps

Reason’s Window of Time is the final solo effort of his pioneering career, a true testament to his twenty plus years of dedication to Australian hip hop and reflective of his journey thus far. Window of Time, in essence, is intended to open minds and expose its listener to a mélange of historical, situational and currently pressing themes. Reason, both a school teacher and youth workshop facilitator, takes actualities to words with the intention of inspiring positive action. The album’s conceptual roots are of a worldly emphasis in contrast to the artists previous releases that were more indicative of his … Continue reading Reason – Window Of Time

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Obese Records

Reason – Window Of Time (Nov 4)

Jim Steps

The moment of truth has arrived; and the legacy left behind by Reason will further be entrenched within the history of hip hop. Window Of Time drops November 4th 2011, and shall lay testament to Reason’s two and a half decades of dedicated service… In typical Reason style, there are guests aplenty throughout the album. Those sharing mic duties include Lazy Grey, Bias B, Hau, Dialectrix, Hunter, Iron Braydz, Lotek, AJ, Joyride, KYE, Mdusus, Rachel Berry & Rappaport. The album is blessed with superb production from Suffa, Debris, Debate, Mdusu, Geko & WIZDM. Stay tuned for more information on the release … Continue reading Reason – Window Of Time (Nov 4)

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Thundamentals – Foreverlution: ‘Paint The Town Red’ Video Clip

Jim Steps

Building upon Sleeping On Your Style’s outstanding production, eclectic musical influences and compelling rhymes, Foreverlution is, as the title would suggest, a deliberate blend of timeless organic tones interspersed with more contemporary sounding influences. Producing almost the entire record, DJ Morgs has really stepped up-to the plate. In the words of Tuka: “the content itself reflects our growth as a band and also the knowledge/skills we’ve managed to gather since our self-titled debut was released in 2008. In this life, it appears that change is the only constant. The one thing you can truly be sure of is that everything … Continue reading Thundamentals – Foreverlution: ‘Paint The Town Red’ Video Clip

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Mantra – Speaking Volumes: Behind The Album

Jim Steps

Mantra is fast becoming one of Australia’s most eminent hip hop artists. After setting a new bench mark with first solo effort Power Of The Spoken, the Melbourne emcee is back with the explosive new release Speaking Volumes. After his enthusiastically received contribution to the infamous ‘Rapper-Tag’ internet cypher; Mantra has been keeping fans engaged with his weekly album teasers. Take a look at his latest promo clip Speaking Volumes – Behind The Album (below). Combining both musical proficiency and articulate character, Mantra has delivered a seamless, holistic album. Speaking Volumes exhibits the intricate philosophizing idiosyncrasy of Mantra’s rhymes. His vehement lyricism with its tapestry of subject matters is … Continue reading Mantra – Speaking Volumes: Behind The Album

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Spit Syndicate to release mixtape

Jim Steps

Fresh off an overseas hiatus, straight into the studio to work on their third album (due early 2012), Spit Syndicate have prepared a blazin’ 9 track mix-tape. This exclusive free online release will be available Friday 23rd September. “This is a way of thanking our fans, both new and old, for their support and patience with something fresh and free. We first made a name for ourselves by releasing mixtapes, this is a return to those roots – banging beats, sharp lyrics.” Nick Lupi Visit http://www.spitsyndicate.com for more information and tour dates leading up to their support slots on Illy’s … Continue reading Spit Syndicate to release mixtape

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Mantra – Speaking Volumes

Jim Steps

Mantra is fast becoming one of Australia’s most eminent hip hop artists. After setting a new bench mark with first solo effort Power Of The Spoken, the Melbourne emcee is back with the explosive new release Speaking Volumes. Combining both musical proficiency and articulate character, Mantra has delivered a seamless, holistic album. Speaking Volumes exhibits the intricate philosophizing idiosyncrasy of Mantra’s rhymes. His vehement lyricism with its tapestry of subject matters is vividly transposed by its musical accompaniment for the album’s entirety. Publicly, yet astutely labeled ‘your favourite rapper’s favourite rapper’, it was no surprise that an inundation of accomplished names … Continue reading Mantra – Speaking Volumes

allaussie hip hop exclusive, Obese Records

Mantra – Speaking Volumes

Jim Steps

Mantra is fast becoming one of Australia’s most eminent hip hop artists. After setting a new bench mark with first solo effort Power Of The Spoken, the Melbourne emcee is back with an explosive new release entitled Speaking Volumes. Combining both musical proficiency and articulate character, Mantra has delivered a seamless, holistic album. Speaking Volumes exhibits the intricate philosophizing idiosyncrasy of Mantra’s rhymes. His vehement lyricism with its tapestry of subject matters is vividly transposed by its musical accompaniment for the album’s entirety.  Publicly, yet astutely labeled ‘your favourite rapper’s favourite rapper’, it was no surprise that an inundation of accomplished … Continue reading Mantra – Speaking Volumes

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Sonnyjim – The Psychonaut LP

Jim Steps

To Whom It May Concern:  I am writing to you on behalf of my client Sonnyjim, to inform you of his recent discontent at the bastardized image of hip-hop music portrayed and traded by popular culture. Gun toting, money fetishizing and the constant oppression of the proverbial “ho” reign supreme as rap’s status quo, and real underground hip-hop is seen as “whatever”. My client, Sonnyjim, is entirely repulsed that such a widely appreciated and intelligently honed form of “street-music” is constantly overlooked by the media in favour of the flavour of the month. In order to adequately resolve this situation, … Continue reading Sonnyjim – The Psychonaut LP

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Thundamentals Interview: ThundaCats, Thoughts & Talent

Jim Steps

Just over a week ago, Blue Mountains Crew Thundamentals dropped the highly anticipated follow-up to their 2009 Sleeping On Your Style release with the stunning LP Foreverlution. aahh catches up with Jeswon to talk all things album related, the recent KON Design comp and what’s shooting Thudamentals latest LP in to the CD players of thousands country-wide. Strap yourself in…blast off!! aahh: Fans of Thundamentals have been waiting since 2009 for a follow-up to the critically acclaimed Sleeping On Your Style LP release. What’s been the biggest change for you as a group since that release and how will Foreverlution build on that last album? Jeswon: I would have to … Continue reading Thundamentals Interview: ThundaCats, Thoughts & Talent

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Mantra – Speaking Volumes

Jim Steps

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 … Continue reading Mantra – Speaking Volumes

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Drapht – The Party, Party, Party Tour 2011 feat. Muph & Plutonic

Jim Steps

Muph & Plutonic join Drapht on  The Party, Party, Party Tour 2011 – tickets on sale Friday August 5. Those out there in the know, know that Muph & Plutonic haven’t stopped working the last two years. However their projects have been happening behind the scenes. Now stepping back out on the road, the Melbourne-based hip-hop duo have been announced to join Drapht on The Party, Party, Party tour. The tour hits capital cities and regional centers through September and October. In the last six months Muph & Plutonic have been hitting stages again, playing Come Together, Essence, Reconciliation festivals as a stripped back two piece with just Plutonic … Continue reading Drapht – The Party, Party, Party Tour 2011 feat. Muph & Plutonic

Karsniogenics, Obese Records

Chasm & Lazy Grey Rusty Griz

Jim Steps

Sydney based producer Chasm is back! Check out the exclusive sneak-peek​ for the new single from Chasm & Lazy Grey available via iTunes August 5th through Obese Records. Be on the lookout for the next Chasm project coming towards the end of the year. Check out Rusty Griz below. Out on iTunes – August 5 through Obese Records Produced by Chasm. Lyrics written and performed by Lazy Grey. Recorded by Dcide @ The Family Home. Lazy Grey appears courtesy of Karsniogenics. Mixed & Mastered by Dan Elleson @ Dan’s Dojo Artwork by Dcide Continue reading Chasm & Lazy Grey Rusty Griz

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Illy – Cigarettes: New film clip

Jim Steps

This is the third single from Illy’s wildly successful sophomore release The Chase, this track Cigarettes features Hue Blanes of the Melodics, with production by ARIA award‐winning M‐Phazes. Music video by Rockaway Media This October, Illy hits the road for his biggest tour yet. With relentless live shows and two acclaimed albums under his belt, the emcee has earned his crown as one of our of country’s top hip hop artists. With Sydney’s Spit Syndicate and Darwin’s Sietta joining the bill, and ARIA Award winning producer M-Phazes as host, this tour is the perfect follow-up to the 21 date (mostly sold out) album tour last March. It’s been one hell of a ride for Illy, with singles Pictures, It Can’t Wait’ (Feat. … Continue reading Illy – Cigarettes: New film clip

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Illy announces new tour feat. Spit Syndicate & Sietta

Jim Steps

This October, Illy hits the road for his biggest tour yet. With relentless live shows and two acclaimed albums under his belt, the emcee has earned his crown as one of our of country’s top hip hop artists. With Sydney’s Spit Syndicate and Darwin’s Sietta joining the bill, and ARIA Award winning producer M-Phazes as host, this tour is the perfect follow-up to the 21 date (mostly sold out) album tour last March. It’s been one hell of a ride for Illy, with singles Pictures, It Can’t Wait’ (Feat. Owl Eyes), and The Chase already becoming radio favourites. Illy’s latest single Cigarettes has just hit radio … Continue reading Illy announces new tour feat. Spit Syndicate & Sietta

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Thundamentals – Foreverlution (Behind The Scenes)

Jim Steps

Newtown hip hop 3 piece Thundamentals have announced the impending release of their sophomore album Foreverlution, the eagerly anticipated follow up to their 2009 longplayer Sleeping On Your Style. With their own national album launch shows TBA and lead single Paint The Town Red already on Triple j rotation, The Thunda’s are back in force. Building upon Sleeping On Your Style’s outstanding production, eclectic musical influences and compelling rhymes, Foreverlution is, as the title would suggest, a deliberate blend of timeless organic tones interspersed with more contemporary sounding influences. Producing almost the entire record, DJ Morgs has really stepped up-to the … Continue reading Thundamentals – Foreverlution (Behind The Scenes)

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Mantra announces upcoming album title

Jim Steps

Mantra has wrapped up in the studio for his next release entitled Speaking Volumes. The album will feature a seasoned array of contributors including M-Phazes, Illy and Urthboy. ‘It’s a far more musical album, an album of songs, as opposed to “rap” songs. I also collaborated with a lot more guest vocalists, and worked more closely with the producers to get the sound I was after.’ – Mantra Stay tuned for more exclusive Mantra news! Continue reading Mantra announces upcoming album title