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Australian hip hop music began in the early 1980s, primarily influenced by hip hop music and culture imported via radio and television from the United States of America.^{[citation needed]} Since the late 1990s, a distinctive local style has developed.^{[citation needed]} Australian hip hop is a part of the underground music scene with only a few successful commercial hits in the last decade, but it is rising in prominence.^{[citation needed]} Albums and singles are released by mostly independent record labels, often owned and run by the artists themselves. Australian hip hop has achieved very slight mainstream success in more recent times.

Contents 1 History 2 Style 3 Media exposure 4 Radio airplay 5 Notable artists 6 Record labels 7 References

The first Australian hip hop record released was 16 Tons b/w Humber Mania Time by Mighty Big Crime released by Virgin Records and Criteria Productions in 1987 (Catalogue number VOZC 026).^{[citation needed]} The single was a Beastie Boys derivative and the Melbourne based duo soon disbanded (later forming The Freaked Out Flower Children with Sophie Lee).^{[citation needed]}

Perhaps the first release of any real note was Combined Talent by Just Us in 1988.^{[citation needed]} Another release of note is Knights of the Underground Table (1992) by Def Wish Cast, which sold well locally and in Europe.^{[citation needed]} Also in 1992, Postcards from the Edge of the Undersound was released by Sound Unlimited (also known as the Sound Unlimited Posse). Released by Sony, it was, for the best part of a decade, the only major label release of an Australian hip hop act since Mighty Big Crime's Virgin release.^{[citation needed]}

In more recent times, the internet has played an important role in the growth of Australian hip hop. Online forums have proved to be a very successful way for artists to get their music heard by large numbers of people very quickly.^{[citation needed]}

In 2004, the Australian Record Industry Association introduced a new category in their annual awards, Best Urban Release. The inaugural award was won by Koolism.

Whilst all states of Australia have artists committed to the Australian hip hop scene, Adelaide has produced the most artists in more recent years in this genre.^{[citation needed]}

Early Australian hip hop is very much product of its roots in the urban, Afro-American styles of the early 1980s, It has been progressively distinguishing itself through its continual quest for identity in post-colonial and post-war Australia.^{[citation needed]} This often takes the form of a lyrical focus on the Aussie battler, the use of the Australian accent, jovial, larrikin lyrics, and heavy use of concrète recordings and sound bites to convey the reality of the situation. There are, however, many artists who focus and contrast the gritty Australian suburbia with this perceived Australian culture.^{[citation needed]}

Past and present radio programs devoted to Australian hip hop include Wordburner (RRR Melbourne), Premium Blend (Adelaide), and Hittin Switches (PBS Melbourne).^{[citation needed]}

In 2005, independent film-maker Oriel Guthrie debuted his documentary Skip Hop at the Melbourne International Film Festival. The film includes live footage of freestyle battles and prominent gigs around Australia, as well as interviews.

In 2006, the ABC program Compass showed a documentary entitled The Mistry of Hip Hop which explored the cultural movement and popularity of hip hop in Australia. The film followed a week in the life of a local MC called Mistry in Melbourne and looked at the so-called "four elements of hip hop": breakdancing, DJing, rapping, and graffiti. It featured interviews from Mistry's friends, Maya Jupiter, and DJ Kool Herc.

Hip Hop TV, founded by Fady Atalla, was the first hip hop and R&B program to feature international, as well as Australian talent.^{[citation needed]} Debuting in early 2006 on Ch 31—Sydneys' community channel. It ran successfully showcasing both Australian and international stars, only to later move to Satellite CH4 AMTV, which later went into receivership. Hip Hop TV then went on to broadcast episodes on YouTube and MySpace

As of 2007, Hip Hop TV is set to debut on national TV, on the ABC.^{[citation needed]} This was brought about by a tireless petitioning campaign.^{[citation needed]}

Although still far from mainstream, in recent years Australian hip hop has grown rapidly in popularity.^{[citation needed]} 96.1 FM The Edge in Sydney plays primarily hip hop and R&B, with a segment called "The Tasman Connector" showcasing Australian & New Zealand hip hop.

Influential youth radio station Triple J introduced the Hip Hop Show, a weekly program hosted by rapper Maya Jupiter.

• The Brothahood
• Butterfingers
• Def Wish Cast
• Downsyde
• Drapht
• The Herd
• Hilltop Hoods
• Koolism
• Lyrical Commission
• Matty B
• The Optimen
• Resin Dogs
• Syllaboliks
• 1200 Techniques

• Basic Equipment — Co-run by Sereck of Def Wish Cast; artists include Def Wish Cast
• Elefant Traks — Run by members of The Herd.
• Hydrofunk Records — Run by members of the Resin Dogs; artists include Resin Dogs, Def Wish Cast, and Downsyde
• IF? Records — Originally Melbourne-based, now in Tokyo; artists include Zen Paradox and Little Nobody.
• Nurcha Records — Sydney-based; founded in 2005
• Obese Records — Their CEO is MC Pegz; artists include Hilltop Hoods, Drapht, Funkoars, Downsyde, and Hyjak N Torcha
• Red Tape Entertainment — Artists include The Optimen

v • d • e Hip hop
Music	Production • Rapping • Beatboxing • Beats • DJing • Turntablism
Culture	Breakdance • Graffiti • Fashion • Dance
People	Rappers • DJs and Producers • Groups • Beatboxers
History	Roots • Old School • Golden Age • New School • Genres • Albums
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