Otis Jackson Jr., known professionally as Madlib, is a Los Angeles-based DJ, multi-instrumentalist, MC, and music producer born on October 24, 1973 in Oxnard, California, United States. Known under a plethora of pseudonyms, he is one of the most prolific and critically acclaimed hip hop producers of the 2000s and has collaborated with myriad hip hop artists, including The Alkaholiks, Mos Def, De La Soul, Ghostface Killah, Talib Kweli, A.G.
Young Lean is best known in Australia as hype-man to emcee Louie Knuxx, a fact that is about to change with the release of his debut EP, Worth The Wax. While Louie has quickly gained a solid following for his husky drawl and gritty imagery, in contrast, Young Lean's music is distinguished by his crystal clear flow and positive outlook. The 6-track EP features the aforementioned Mr Knuxx, along with Grips & Tonic band mate JJ Peters.
There is more than one band called The Herd. 1. The Herd is a hip-hop group from suburban Sydney. They have released four full-length albums since 2001's self-titled debut. Unusually for a hip-hop outfit, The Herd's full band format permits dynamic live shows. The Herd's members include MCs Ozi Batla, Urthboy and Berzerkatron, Unkle Ho (beats), Traksewt (piano accordion, clarinet and beats), Sulo (beats and guitar), Toe-fu (guitar), Rok Poshtya (bass) and singer Jane Tyrrell. Their songs often feature politically-oriented lyrics.
Ciecmate (Emcee, Studio Engineer, Producer) is a part of The Hospice Crew and also runs Broken Tooth Entertainment, renowned around Australia for releasing no bullshit, staunch as it gets Aussie hip hop.
Waajeed (b. Robert O'Bryant) is a Detroit-born music producer, and one half of the hip hop and R&B group Platinum Pied Pipers. He formed the Bling47 record label & coinciding website/online store, Bling47.com [1] in 2002 and released an instrumental album called B.P.M.. Bling47 has also released projects by J Dilla and the vocalist Tiombe Lockhart. Before producing records, Waajeed was a DJ in and around the Detroit music circuit. As a producer Waajeed began comparatively late (2000), but before long had landed a handful of tracks on Slum Village's Trinity (Past, Present and Future) album.
As a young kid growing up in San Jose, Chris Manak soon realized he needed an escape from the realities of suburban life in the Silicon Valley. The age of nine was his coming of age. This was the year he discovered sports (Pittsburgh Pirates), video games (Pac man), girls (Anita Balderama), and hip hop ("Rappers Delight"). Alongside partner Sweet Steve, young Chris fashioned primitive mix-tapes (using the pause button) and ran amok at the local roller rink.
“RuCL” a.k.a Rueben Campbell is one of the most exciting artists to emerge from Australia's thriving Hip Hop scene. His talent is evident on every track of his debut album "Straight Down The Line". Hailing from Melbourne with Jamaican/Australian heritage RuCL is a MC with truly universal appeal. RuCL has been performing in various capacities for some time. Throughout the years he has built a reputation within the hip hop community, supporting international acts such as Jurassic 5, Pharcyde, Mad Professor, Lee Scratch Perry, Supernatural and DJ Craze and more.
Diafrix is one of Australia's most explosive and eclectic live acts. Following on from their hugely successful EP in 2006, their debut album Concrete Jungle has taken Diafrix’s iconic concoction of African rhythms, dance hall, funk, Australia hip hop and reggae and developed it into a truly world-class product while still maintaining the same raw energy they’ve carried since they formed in 2001. This trademark style transcends any specific genre to create a totally unique, but entirely harmonious sound.
Tirren Staaf (born 1977), otherwise known as Pegz (or MC Pegasus), is an Australian hip hop artist and producer hailing from Melbourne, Victoria. He is the CEO of Obese Records. The record label responsible for artists such as Hilltop Hoods, Downsyde, and Bias B. Pegz musical career is long and impressive and his impact as an artist is no less impressive than his business achievements. Pegz earliest music influences were his mom's Stevie Wonder records and Polynesian parties with his father. This soulful influence can be heard on his various tracks throughout his releases.
Born and raised in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, TOKiMONSTA (Jennifer Lee) was an unfocused pupil of classical piano. However, she has come to use this background to understand and create vast soundscapes and textures through the usage of live instruments, percussion, digital manipulation, and dusty vinyl. Through the creation of beats, she is able to fuse the sounds of the past with her musical prowess into something avant garde.