Downsyde
In a genre where longevity and relevance can be one of the biggest struggles for any act, Downsyde have proved that after more than ten years that they are not only still as important and popular as ever, but by all accounts they are actually growing stronger with each passing release. We have a monster on our hands that defies every trend in Australian hip-hop.
After forming in 1996, the tight-knit MC group which has now grown to a six piece fully-fledged band, the boys built up a strong buzz in Western Australia's underground hip-hop circuit. By the time of their first official release, 2000's classic Epinonimous, the word had spread around the country and through heavy support from community radio, Downsyde's debut became one of the highest selling albums the genre had seen.
Two years and many a national tour later, the crew smashed the ball out of the park with 2002's Land of the Giants, an album which is widely regarded as a benchmark release in local hip-hop. This solidified them as an act truly on top of the game and they had become the group that introduced a large percentage of the country to Australian hip-hop music.
At the time of Downsyde's third release, 2004's gargantuan When the Dust Settles, Downsyde were riding atop a wave of booming interest in local hip-hop culture. Suddenly some of the underground's favourite sons had been born into the public eye, and they made one hell of an impact. Downsyde's heavy influence from funk and latino music had given them the perfect arsenal to blow the mainstream away and their hip-hop blueprint kept them as relevant and credible as ever to their legion of fans. The result was sell-out shows across the country, prime-time slots at festivals like Big Day Out, Splendour and Good Vibrations and album sales way beyond what anyone thought was possible. Amongst the insatiable public hype and overwhelming demand, the group decided to step back into the shadows to rekindle their flame.
After three classic LPs, Downsyde joined forces with Illusive Sounds to release their ridiculously anticipated fourth full-length album, All City. Four years had passed – filled with rumours of breakups, reformations, secret shows and imaginary tours. The truth is much less dramatic – they had locked themselves away in the studio, polishing and refining their signature sound into something even more remarkable.
They'd had their breathing room, and in 2008 the time was right for Downsyde to unfasten their safety belt, put the pedal to the floor and reveal their powerful new engine. And by all reports, and over ten years deep, this seminal hip-hop band are truly coming of age and have released the opus of their remarkable career.
After forming in 1996, the tight-knit MC group which has now grown to a six piece fully-fledged band, the boys built up a strong buzz in Western Australia's underground hip-hop circuit. By the time of their first official release, 2000's classic Epinonimous, the word had spread around the country and through heavy support from community radio, Downsyde's debut became one of the highest selling albums the genre had seen.
Two years and many a national tour later, the crew smashed the ball out of the park with 2002's Land of the Giants, an album which is widely regarded as a benchmark release in local hip-hop. This solidified them as an act truly on top of the game and they had become the group that introduced a large percentage of the country to Australian hip-hop music.
At the time of Downsyde's third release, 2004's gargantuan When the Dust Settles, Downsyde were riding atop a wave of booming interest in local hip-hop culture. Suddenly some of the underground's favourite sons had been born into the public eye, and they made one hell of an impact. Downsyde's heavy influence from funk and latino music had given them the perfect arsenal to blow the mainstream away and their hip-hop blueprint kept them as relevant and credible as ever to their legion of fans. The result was sell-out shows across the country, prime-time slots at festivals like Big Day Out, Splendour and Good Vibrations and album sales way beyond what anyone thought was possible. Amongst the insatiable public hype and overwhelming demand, the group decided to step back into the shadows to rekindle their flame.
After three classic LPs, Downsyde joined forces with Illusive Sounds to release their ridiculously anticipated fourth full-length album, All City. Four years had passed – filled with rumours of breakups, reformations, secret shows and imaginary tours. The truth is much less dramatic – they had locked themselves away in the studio, polishing and refining their signature sound into something even more remarkable.
They'd had their breathing room, and in 2008 the time was right for Downsyde to unfasten their safety belt, put the pedal to the floor and reveal their powerful new engine. And by all reports, and over ten years deep, this seminal hip-hop band are truly coming of age and have released the opus of their remarkable career.
