Hectic thread, only just found it now after randomly googling Hyjak and Torture to check spelling to thank them for supporting us last night.
Mad to know that some aussie artists are getting love, and good to see that is the good ones too.
This the response me and a dude in my group gave when we were asked the following question about the scene:
DB: Now we get to the politics. Can each of you give a summary of why we should support the Australian hip hop scene?
R: Haha, well the simple, obvious answer is, because it's dope. While there is quite a bit of whack shit in the Australian Hip Hop scene, there is equally some really mad stuff being done.
On top of that, while people shouldn't be forced into listening to shit they don't like, I feel it is totally wrong to simply dismiss something without understanding it. I think that 'identity' is a very important thing, especially in this day, age and social climate. Australian hip hop reflects Australian life, and tells the story of Australian people. It reflects our cultural identity. In an isolated country like Australia this is even more important, especially with the worlds current political climate.
Unfortunately, there is the flipside of people basically saying that everything Australian is dope, full stop. Or that everything that is a certain style of Australian hip hop is dope. Having this type of bias is bullshit, and I feel is what is holding Australian hip hop back. Basically there is a certain niche that seems to dominate the hardcore Australian hip hop community that will probably call me a 'faggot' for using the word 'niche'. Basically, if you talk about anything other than bottling cunts and fucking imaginary women, you get black-balled. I am not dissing this type of music, I can appreciate a lot of it and some of the artists are dope, it's just that the fans are often close minded and are quick to write off any other kind of hip hop.
If people really want Australian hip hop to compare and compete with international artists, they have to be prepared for it to grow, and to diversify.
PC: Damn Raph, you know how to rant, but I do agree. I'm not saying that we should all develop fake American accents, grow hoes and rock bling, but I do think that Australian hip hop needs to develop a wider identity. Especially that the tall poppy syndrome that sees groups like the Hilltop Hoods, Bliss and Eso or Weapon X, people who have invested time and commitment into the scene and fostered its growth and development for years without making a cent, dismissed as toy the second they get national radio play, really needs to change. The Hilltop Hoods are a really good example of a group who has assisted and supported countless Australian artists at various points in their career for reasons other than the money and who have paid their dues time and again and shown respect and commitment to the scene we are a part of, only for a specific section of the scene they care about to dismiss them the second they get air play.
It's not my place to make a values judgment on their music because that's not what this is about, I just feel that even if you don't like the music someone makes or don't like the attitude someone takes in the distribution of their music, as a part of the Australian Hip Hop scene people should show respect to those crews who give back to the community and are putting out quality content, even if it's not to your personal taste.
With this said the Australian scene in my opinion is dope and vibrant, there are thousands of individuals who get out there and do their thing whether that is musical, or in supporting those people who are, and those people make my life a lot better. The Australian scene is worth supporting because it's controversial and difficult, if it was easy enough to get love and earn respect with the people that matter, no one would bother, and that's the truth.