Hydrofunk Records
Encyclopedia
Hydrofunk Records is an independent Australia
n hip hop
record label
that represents a number of Australian acts including the Resin Dogs
and Def Wish Cast
.
as a series of hip hop events to give local artists an avenue to perform.
In 1995, Hydrofunk founder DJ Katch met Dave Atkins
through various live funk, jazz, and hip hop projects. Together they decided to form Hydrofunk Records in response to Brisbane’s lack of outlets for underground hip hop.
In 1997 Hydrofunk released its first CD with Blunted Stylus's self titled record. One year later Hydrofunk released Resin Dogs
' Grinnin which received significant airplay on both local and national radio. This success enabled Hydrofunk Records to secure a label distribution deal with Virgin
/EMI
in 1999. In 2002, Hydrofunk Records licensed its first overseas label, London's underground hip hop label, Low Life Records
with artists like Rodney P
, Braintax
and Jehst
.
In 2007 Hydrofunk created a new label, Hydropunk Records. Its first release on Hydropunk Records is Brisbane band Godnose
.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
that represents a number of Australian acts including the Resin Dogs
Resin Dogs
Resin Dogs are a Brisbane, Australia-based hip hop band, originally formed in 1996. Resin Dogs are a loose collective, a cut and paste sample band who use live drums, live bass, and elements of hip hop via turntables and samplers to create all forms of ritual dance sounds...
and Def Wish Cast
Def Wish Cast
Def Wish Cast are an Australian hip hop group originally from around Penrith, Sydney. Currently they reside in a few areas around the City of Sydney.-Biography:...
.
History
Hydrofunk Records started in 19941994 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so....
as a series of hip hop events to give local artists an avenue to perform.
In 1995, Hydrofunk founder DJ Katch met Dave Atkins
Dave Atkins
Dave "Acosta" Atkins is an Australian drummer, guitarist, bass player, producer, engineer & co-founder and Director Of Hydrofunk Records from Brisbane, Queensland. He is currently performing with hip hop band Resin Dogs...
through various live funk, jazz, and hip hop projects. Together they decided to form Hydrofunk Records in response to Brisbane’s lack of outlets for underground hip hop.
In 1997 Hydrofunk released its first CD with Blunted Stylus's self titled record. One year later Hydrofunk released Resin Dogs
Resin Dogs
Resin Dogs are a Brisbane, Australia-based hip hop band, originally formed in 1996. Resin Dogs are a loose collective, a cut and paste sample band who use live drums, live bass, and elements of hip hop via turntables and samplers to create all forms of ritual dance sounds...
' Grinnin which received significant airplay on both local and national radio. This success enabled Hydrofunk Records to secure a label distribution deal with Virgin
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
/EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
in 1999. In 2002, Hydrofunk Records licensed its first overseas label, London's underground hip hop label, Low Life Records
Low Life Records
Low Life Records was an independent record label promoting UK hip hop music. It was founded in Leeds by Joseph Christie, Aaron Harrow, Tomas Stewart and Paul Edmeade before being relocated to west London by Christie. The label came to an abrupt end when Braintax announced his sudden retirement from...
with artists like Rodney P
Rodney P
Rodney P is an English MC who entered the UK hip hop scene in the 1980s. He started out as a member of the London Posse, one of the UK's first home grown hip hop acts who were highly influential in the development of the genre. Rodney P has had one of the longest and most respected careers in UK...
, Braintax
Braintax
Braintax was a British hip hop artist and producer. Joe Christie had also recorded or appeared under the pseudonyms Brando Flux and Joey Brains. All of his releases were on his own record label, Low Life Records....
and Jehst
Jehst
William G. Shields, better known as Jehst or a slew of aliases including The High Plains Drifter, Billy Brimstone and Jay Star, is an English rapper and co-founder of hip hop label YNR.-Biography:...
.
In 2007 Hydrofunk created a new label, Hydropunk Records. Its first release on Hydropunk Records is Brisbane band Godnose
Godnose
Godnose are an Australian metalcore band from Brisbane, Queensland in Australia. They formed in 1995. The name was an early name for ascorbic acid/vitamin c used by its discoverer Albert Szent-Gyorgyi not long after he isolated the substance for the first time.-Associated acts:*from the USA:...
.
Artists
The following artists are currently or have previously been signed to Hydrofunk Records:- 2 Dogs
- Afro Dizzi Act
- Blunted Stylus
- DownsydeDownsydeDownsyde are an Australian hip hop group from Perth, Western Australia. The group is composed of six members, Optamus, Dazastah, Dyna-Mikes, DJ Armee, Cheeky, and Hi-Hat.- History :...
(now signed to Obese RecordsObese RecordsObese Records is an Australian hip hop record label. It is the largest Australian independent Hip-Hop label, a retail store and a touring and record distribution company.-History:...
) - GodnoseGodnoseGodnose are an Australian metalcore band from Brisbane, Queensland in Australia. They formed in 1995. The name was an early name for ascorbic acid/vitamin c used by its discoverer Albert Szent-Gyorgyi not long after he isolated the substance for the first time.-Associated acts:*from the USA:...
- Good Buddha
- KoolismKoolismKoolism is an Australian hip hop duo originating from Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.The members are lyricist Hau Latukefu and producer/DJ/musician Danielsan Ichiban .-History:Koolism started out in 1992 when Elleson joined a group by the name...
(now signed to Invada Records) - Omni Anti
- Resin DogsResin DogsResin Dogs are a Brisbane, Australia-based hip hop band, originally formed in 1996. Resin Dogs are a loose collective, a cut and paste sample band who use live drums, live bass, and elements of hip hop via turntables and samplers to create all forms of ritual dance sounds...
- Red Bantoo
- RhibosomeRhibosomeRhibosome were a three piece electronic outfit from Western Australia.-Biography:The genesis of Rhibosome began in 1998 when two members began playing in a street theatre percussion group called Whak...
(band disbanded in 2004) - Skam Artist
- Skin-ki-row
- Ugly Duckling