Australian Hip Hop History

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Australian Hip Hop
Hip-hop: A style of music of US black and Hispanic origin
Featuring rap and electronic backing

When did Hip-Hop/Rap make its way into Australian Culture and who were the artist’s who started it pre 2000’s?
Hip-Hop in Australian can be traced back to early 1980’s with large influence from American Hip-Hop/Rap which is a predominantly African-American dominated genre.
In 1982 the music video for Malcolm McLaren’s “Buffalo Gals” was broadcasted on the Australian TV music show “Sound Unlimited”
The first Hip Hop album released in Australia was “Combined Talent”/”My Destiny” which was released in 1988 by “Just us” which was made up artists Dj Case and Mentor. During the late 1980’s Skippy the butcher which was formerly …show more content…

Although Australian artists still show unique and authentic style in their own music. Australian Hip-Hop has also been influenced by funk and dancehall. Indigenous Australian culture is also a strong influence for some Hip-Hop artists. Australian Hip Hop artists are largely Anglo heritage but numerous Australian rappers are of African descent. Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, and Nas are cited as key inspirations of Australian Hip-Hop. Australian Hip-Hop has been localised with certain aspects like the Australian accent, Australian slang, Australian politics and references to matter of Australian cultural identity.
Koolism, an Australian Hip Hop group that won an ARIA award in 2006 said in their speech that they dedicate their award to “the whole australian hip hop community, and all the Australians who ‘keep it real’. Be yourself. Enough of that american wannabe trash”
Indigenous Australian Hip Hop
Since the early 1980’s many indigenous Australian groups have used hip hop as a way to express their frustration against racial discrimination and injustice. Indigenous Hip Hop has not been the leading area of Australian Hip Hop, Many popular aboriginal artist have produced songs that address the concerns of the Indigenous Australians. American Hip Hop group “Public Enemy” has been a large musical influence for the Indigenous …show more content…

His last 2 have been nominated for an ARIA award with the 3rd “Bring It Back” won. His single “Papercuts” currently sits at 2nd on the ARIA urban single charts.

360 is a very popular rapper from Victoria who began his career in 2006. 360 has been nominated for 10 ARIA awards and has successfully won 2 which include “Breakthrough Artist” and ‘Producer of the year”.

Conclusion
Australian Hip Hop has definitely flourished with the help and influence of American Hip Hop but also holds its own unique style and lyrics which is not portrayed in American Hip Hop. This has seen many Australian Hip Hop artists and groups become some of the most successful in the world.
This can be thanks to some government funded projects, such as the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project. Which aims to promote Australian music. The increase of Hip Hop acts on radio, Television and film helped the spread of the Australian Hip Hop

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