Digitalthugz - Calling The Hilltop Hoods

Over the last few years, the interest in Australian hip hop has grown steadily, with regular coverage in local and national print media, radio and television, along with more than healthy turn-outs to most shows. One of the frontrunners in this burgeoning scene is South Australian live and recording act Hilltop Hoods, who are constantly raising the standards via their professional work ethic and warm-blooded music. Their newest album 'The Calling' has been one of the hottest albums in Australia so far this year, and their sellout gigs across the country have been certified massive.

The group formed in the early 1990’s when MC’s Suffa and Pressure met at high school. When they later hooked up with DJ Debris through a mutual friend, the trio was complete. The chemistry between the three was obvious from day one, and they quickly became known for their down to earth and real yet extremely confident attitude toward music-making and live delivery. Ten years on, and these fundamental truths are even more prominent in their music and lyrics. Many would say that it’s these very rare qualities are what makes Hilltop Hoods stand out amongst so many striving musicians in today’s fickle music industry.

Hilltop Hoods have released three successful recordings - Back Once Again (EP - 1997), A Matter of Time (LP - 1999), and Left Foot, Right Foot (LP - 2001). Aside from their own instalments, they have featured on a number of highly respected compilation albums, including Obesecity and Culture of Kings Vol. 1 & 2, and have collaborated with most of the main players of the Australian hip hop scene including Koolism, Mass MC, Pegz, Muphin, Layla, Hyjak and Bonez.

As a result of such widespread respect and exposure, the Hoods have claimed many achievements that most acts, hip hop or not, have never experienced. They have received nominations for the Best Hip Hop Act in 2001 and 2002 at the 3D World Dance Music Awards, won the APRA award for best up-coming group as well as receiving number one positions in independent charts all around Australia. These are amazing accomplishments for any artist, let alone an Australian hip hop act in a scene which is still growing.

Being so widely lauded for their unique brand of recorded music is one thing, but it’s truly on the stage that the whole philosophy and energy of Hilltop Hoods comes alive. Over the years they have rocked many huge venues and festivals with their world class performances, including Big Day Out and the Australian Finals for the Technics DMC competition as well as opening for respected international acts like Public Enemy, Kool Keith, Cypress Hill, Spearhead, DJ Cash Money, The Allies, DJ Disk, Rodney P & Skitz, Bukue 1, Living Legends, Company Flow, Foreign Legion and DJ Shortee Blitz. You’d be hard pressed to name another hip hop act that has played such amazingly large, national events and is still around making brilliant street level records.

Their unique combination of funky beats with the experimental ethos of jazz, topped off with solid lyrics, tight flows and a localised viewpoint is what places Hilltop Hoods at the pinnacle of Australia’s fresh new talent stakes. There is no doubt that the Hilltop Hoods will be one of the groups to take good Australian music - not just good Australian hip hop - to the international arena. And they won’t be labelled up-and-coming for much longer.

Their new LP titled ‘The Calling’ was released on the 22nd of September 2003 through Obese Records. It has already been showcased as feature album on Triple J and 4zzz, and looks like being a definitive record for Australian hip hop culture.

The Hilltop Hoods are hitting Tassie very soon, playing @ REDZ in Launceston on July 2nd, then Halo (in the Hobart Mall) on the 3rd. Costs and support DJ's:TBA. Tickets look like they may be limited to 400 for the Hobart gig so get in quick!

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO!