Obese Records
Encyclopedia
Obese Records is an Australian hip hop
record label
. It is the largest Australian independent Hip-Hop label, a retail store and a touring ('Zoo Dynamics') and record distribution company.
as a small record store, called OB's by Ollie Bobbitt, in Prahran
specialising in hip hop
music. The store changed its name to 'Obese Records' after Bobbitt sold the business to Shazlek One. In mid-2002 the store was bought by Tirren Staaf (a.k.a. Pegz) who transformed into a record label. Pegz, a Melbourne
-based artist, used the label to create a distribution network. Pegz also purchased the Zenith Records
vinyl pressing plant, one of only two companies that still press vinyl records in Australia. The pressing plant was subsequnetly sold in November 2007
The first artist released on the label was MC Reason's EP, Solid in 2000, produced by Jolz with appearances from Brad Strut
, Bias B and Pac D.
Other early releases included compilation albums, Culture of Kings (which included songs by Koolism
, Hilltop Hoods
, Terra Firma, Lyrical Commission and Downsyde
) and Obesecity, which Pegz describes as 'key networking tools' for the growing Australian hip hop scene, as well as formative releases from Bliss n Eso
, Bias B
, DJ Bonez
, Downsyde
, Brad Strut and Layla
.
The two-disc Culture of Kings Volume Two included tracks by Hilltop Hoods, Delta, Layla, TZU
, Hospice, Clandestien, Brothers Stoney, Bliss N Eso and Funkoars. It was the first Australian hip hop album to score the coveted Triple J feature album spot.
In 2003, Obese released the Hilltop Hoods
album The Calling, which became the first Australian hip hop album to go gold
. Mark Pollard, founder of Stealth Magazine
, commented during an interview with Tony Mitchell in 2004 that,
In 2006 the Hilltops Hoods were nominated and won awards for 'Best Performing Independent Album' (The Hard Road
) and 'Best Independent Artist' at that year's Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) Chart Awards.
Two artists associated with the label were nominated for four AIR Chart Awards in 2007 (three for Hilltop Hoods and one for Muph & Plutonic
).
At the 2007 ARIA Awards
, the Hilltop Hoods won 'Best Urban Release' for their album The Hard Road: Restrung
. The Hilltop Hoods DVD, The City of Light, released by Obese Records in 2007, has also been classified gold
.
In 2008 two artists on the Obese label, Muph & Plutonic
and Spit Syndicate
, received nominations for 'Best Urban Album' at the ARIA Awards
.
Following Hilltops Hoods departure to start their own label Obese Records focus is now on the next generation of local artists.
In 2010 M-Phazes
' album, Good Gracious, was nominated for 'Best Urban Album' at the ARIA Awards
.
Australian hip hop
Australian hip hop music began in the early 1980s; originally it was primarily influenced by hip hop music and culture imported via radio and television from the United States of America. However, since the 1990s, a distinctive local style has developed. Australian hip hop is an underground music...
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,...
. It is the largest Australian independent Hip-Hop label, a retail store and a touring ('Zoo Dynamics') and record distribution company.
History
Obese Records started in 19951995 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
as a small record store, called OB's by Ollie Bobbitt, in Prahran
Prahran, Victoria
Prahran , also known colloquially as "Pran", is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stonnington. At the 2006 Census, Prahran had a population of 10,651. It is a part of Melbourne with...
specialising in 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...
music. The store changed its name to 'Obese Records' after Bobbitt sold the business to Shazlek One. In mid-2002 the store was bought by Tirren Staaf (a.k.a. Pegz) who transformed into a record label. Pegz, a Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
-based artist, used the label to create a distribution network. Pegz also purchased the Zenith Records
Zenith Records
Zenith Records is a self-contained vinyl record pressing plant located in Melbourne, Australia. Established in for many years the plant was relocated to its current location in the last two years. Zenith is a custom manufacturer of Vinyl Records...
vinyl pressing plant, one of only two companies that still press vinyl records in Australia. The pressing plant was subsequnetly sold in November 2007
The first artist released on the label was MC Reason's EP, Solid in 2000, produced by Jolz with appearances from Brad Strut
Brad Strut
Brad Strut is an Australian hip hop emcee and singer based in Melbourne. Strut has performed and released material as a solo artist, and is also a member of hip hop group Lyrical Commission.-Biography:...
, Bias B and Pac D.
Other early releases included compilation albums, Culture of Kings (which included songs by Koolism
Koolism
Koolism 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...
, Hilltop Hoods
Hilltop Hoods
The Hilltop Hoods are an ARIA Award winning Australian hip hop group, from Adelaide, South Australia. Their members are MCs Suffa , MC Pressure , DJ Debris and formerly DJ Next. They have been at the centre of the Australian hip hop scene for the better part of two decades, originally forming back...
, Terra Firma, Lyrical Commission and Downsyde
Downsyde
Downsyde 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 :...
) and Obesecity, which Pegz describes as 'key networking tools' for the growing Australian hip hop scene, as well as formative releases from Bliss n Eso
Bliss n Eso
Bliss n Eso are an ARIA Award-winning Australian hip hop band based in Sydney, and were originally known as Bliss N' Esoterikizm for their debut EP The Arrival...
, Bias B
Bias B
Bias B is an Australian hip hop artist. He started writing lyrics in 1989 and began performing in 1991 and released his first album, Beezwax, in 1998. The album took two years to sell its first 500 copies. In 1999, Bias B released an album called Boney & Stoney along with fellow crew members Len...
, DJ Bonez
DJ Bonez
DJ Bonez is a hip hop DJ and producer, originally from Sydney, New South Wales and currently based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
, Downsyde
Downsyde
Downsyde 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 :...
, Brad Strut and Layla
MC Layla
- Biography :Layla Rose Hanbury was born in 15 October 1982. Her first gig was at an MC battle in Perth where she was the only female among 20 entrants....
.
The two-disc Culture of Kings Volume Two included tracks by Hilltop Hoods, Delta, Layla, TZU
TZU
For the ancient chinese military strategist and author, see Sun Tzu.TZU are an Australian hip hop group, originating from Melbourne, Victoria. They are known for live shows with significant crowd involvement, at festivals such as Big Day Out, Falls Festival, MS Fest and the Meredith Music Festival,...
, Hospice, Clandestien, Brothers Stoney, Bliss N Eso and Funkoars. It was the first Australian hip hop album to score the coveted Triple J feature album spot.
In 2003, Obese released the Hilltop Hoods
Hilltop Hoods
The Hilltop Hoods are an ARIA Award winning Australian hip hop group, from Adelaide, South Australia. Their members are MCs Suffa , MC Pressure , DJ Debris and formerly DJ Next. They have been at the centre of the Australian hip hop scene for the better part of two decades, originally forming back...
album The Calling, which became the first Australian hip hop album to go gold
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
. Mark Pollard, founder of Stealth Magazine
Stealth magazine
Stealth Magazine is an independent hip-hop magazine from Australia. Founded by Mark Pollard, it debuted in June 1999 with The Arsonists on the cover. Its first three issues were zine-like in format...
, commented during an interview with Tony Mitchell in 2004 that,
Hilltop Hoods’ success can be seen as being set up by Obese, in a way. The Hoods have been doing the same thing for ten years, in an evolving way, but Obese were really critical in setting up the crews around the country who helped do the shows, getting the respect for Obese to be aspirational, and getting the Hoods to fit into that puzzle.
In 2006 the Hilltops Hoods were nominated and won awards for 'Best Performing Independent Album' (The Hard Road
The Hard Road
The Hard Road is a 2006 release by Australian hip hop group, the Hilltop Hoods from Adelaide, South Australia. It was released on 1 April 2006 by Obese Records. It debuted at #1 on the Australia ARIA Albums Chart, unprecedented for an independent label release and for an Australian hip hop group....
) and 'Best Independent Artist' at that year's Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) Chart Awards.
Two artists associated with the label were nominated for four AIR Chart Awards in 2007 (three for Hilltop Hoods and one for Muph & Plutonic
Muph & Plutonic
Muph & Plutonic is an Australian hip hop group. It is composed of MC Muphin and DJ–drummer–producer Plutonic Lab, both of whom released several solo albums before joining together to form a combined act in 2004.-Plutonic Lab:...
).
At the 2007 ARIA Awards
ARIA Music Awards of 2007
The 21st Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards were held on 28 October 2007 at the Acer Arena at the Sydney Olympic Park complex. Rove McManus was the host of the event...
, the Hilltop Hoods won 'Best Urban Release' for their album The Hard Road: Restrung
The Hard Road: Restrung
-Chart positions:...
. The Hilltop Hoods DVD, The City of Light, released by Obese Records in 2007, has also been classified gold
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
.
In 2008 two artists on the Obese label, Muph & Plutonic
Muph & Plutonic
Muph & Plutonic is an Australian hip hop group. It is composed of MC Muphin and DJ–drummer–producer Plutonic Lab, both of whom released several solo albums before joining together to form a combined act in 2004.-Plutonic Lab:...
and Spit Syndicate
Spit Syndicate
Spit Syndicate are an ARIA Award nominated Australian hip hop duo based in Sydney.-Biography:In 2006, Spit Syndicate debuted by releasing a mixtape CD: The Future's Bright....
, received nominations for 'Best Urban Album' at the ARIA Awards
ARIA Music Awards of 2008
The 22nd Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards took place on 19 October 2008...
.
Following Hilltops Hoods departure to start their own label Obese Records focus is now on the next generation of local artists.
In 2010 M-Phazes
M-Phazes
M-Phazes is an Australian Hip Hop producer and artist based in Melbourne, Victoria. Born on the Gold Coast he relocated to Melbourne to further his musical career...
' album, Good Gracious, was nominated for 'Best Urban Album' at the ARIA Awards
ARIA Music Awards of 2010
The 24th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards are a series of award ceremonies which included the 2010 ARIA Artisan Awards, ARIA Hall of Fame Awards, ARIA Fine Arts Awards and ARIA Awards. The latter ceremony took place on 7 November at the Sydney Opera House and was...
.
Artists
The following artists are currently signed to Obese Records:- Bias B (VictoriaVictoria (Australia)Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
) - Chasm
- Coalition Crew (QueenslandQueenslandQueensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
) - DJ BonezDJ BonezDJ Bonez is a hip hop DJ and producer, originally from Sydney, New South Wales and currently based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
(New South WalesNew South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
) - DialectrixDialectrixDialectrix is an Australian hip hop artist from the Blue Mountains. He was a member of Down Under Beats Crew and since 2008 has been in Gully Platoon...
(New South Wales) - Gully PlatoonGully PlatoonGully Platoon are an Australian hip-hop group, composed of Pegz with Joe New and Dialectrix .-Biography:...
(Pegz, Dialectrix and Joe New) - Hyjak N TorchaHyjak N TorchaHyjak N Torcha is an Australian hip hop group from Sydney, New South Wales.-Biography:The group, formed in 2000, consists of three members: Hyjak , Torcha , and DJ Bonez ....
(New South WalesNew South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
) - IllyIlly (rapper)Illy is an Australian Hip Hop Artist from Melbourne, Victoria. He was a member of Crooked Eye and has since gone solo, releasing his first album, Long Story Short in 2009. Long Story Short reached #24 on the ARIA Top 40 Urban Albums chart and the lead single, "Pictures", was placed on national...
(Victoria) - Jase (VictoriaVictoria (Australia)Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
) - MantraMantraA mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation"...
(Victoria) - LaylaMC Layla- Biography :Layla Rose Hanbury was born in 15 October 1982. Her first gig was at an MC battle in Perth where she was the only female among 20 entrants....
(Western Australia) - M-PhazesM-PhazesM-Phazes is an Australian Hip Hop producer and artist based in Melbourne, Victoria. Born on the Gold Coast he relocated to Melbourne to further his musical career...
(QueenslandQueenslandQueensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
) - MuphinMuph & PlutonicMuph & Plutonic is an Australian hip hop group. It is composed of MC Muphin and DJ–drummer–producer Plutonic Lab, both of whom released several solo albums before joining together to form a combined act in 2004.-Plutonic Lab:...
(Victoria) - Muph & PlutonicMuph & PlutonicMuph & Plutonic is an Australian hip hop group. It is composed of MC Muphin and DJ–drummer–producer Plutonic Lab, both of whom released several solo albums before joining together to form a combined act in 2004.-Plutonic Lab:...
(Victoria) - Pegz (Victoria)
- Plutonic LabPlutonic LabLeigh Ryan, better known by the stage name Plutonic Lab or sometimes as Pluto, is an Australian music producer, drummer and DJ. He is best known for being part of the hip hop group Muph & Plutonic as well as his production work on albums and EPs for Australian and international artists.-Early life...
(Victoria) - Reason (Victoria)
- SimplexSimplexIn geometry, a simplex is a generalization of the notion of a triangle or tetrahedron to arbitrary dimension. Specifically, an n-simplex is an n-dimensional polytope which is the convex hull of its n + 1 vertices. For example, a 2-simplex is a triangle, a 3-simplex is a tetrahedron,...
(Adelaide) - Skryptcha (New South Wales)
- Spit SyndicateSpit SyndicateSpit Syndicate are an ARIA Award nominated Australian hip hop duo based in Sydney.-Biography:In 2006, Spit Syndicate debuted by releasing a mixtape CD: The Future's Bright....
(New South Wales) - Thundamentals (New South Wales)
Alumni
A list of former artists:- Bliss N EsoBliss n EsoBliss n Eso are an ARIA Award-winning Australian hip hop band based in Sydney, and were originally known as Bliss N' Esoterikizm for their debut EP The Arrival...
(New South WalesNew South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
) - DraphtDraphtDrapht is an Australian hip hop singer from Perth, Western Australia. Drapht is a member of the Syllaboliks crew, which comprises fellow Australian hip hop artists from Perth.-Biography:...
(Western AustraliaWestern AustraliaWestern Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
) - Brad StrutBrad StrutBrad Strut is an Australian hip hop emcee and singer based in Melbourne. Strut has performed and released material as a solo artist, and is also a member of hip hop group Lyrical Commission.-Biography:...
(VictoriaVictoria (Australia)Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
) - 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 :...
(Western AustraliaWestern AustraliaWestern Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
) - FunkoarsFunkoarsThe Funkoars are an Australian hip hop act from Adelaide. They are part of the Certified Wise crew, sixteen South Australian hip hop artists who often appear on each others tracks on various albums.-Members:...
(South AustraliaSouth AustraliaSouth Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
) - Hilltop HoodsHilltop HoodsThe Hilltop Hoods are an ARIA Award winning Australian hip hop group, from Adelaide, South Australia. Their members are MCs Suffa , MC Pressure , DJ Debris and formerly DJ Next. They have been at the centre of the Australian hip hop scene for the better part of two decades, originally forming back...
(South AustraliaSouth AustraliaSouth Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
) - Matty BMatty BMatty B is a former Australian rapper, now employed as a miner in Western Australia's booming mining industry.-Biography:Matthew Barrett grew up in Western Australia and was a member of Perth's Syllaboliks hip hop crew...
(Western AustraliaWestern AustraliaWestern Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
) - VentsVents (musician)Vents is an Australian hip hop artist from Adelaide, South Australia. He is known for his dark political content and aggressive delivery, and his association with the Certified Wise crew, whose members include the Hilltop Hoods, Funkoars, Cross-Bred Mongrels and Terra Firma...
(South AustraliaSouth AustraliaSouth Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
)
Compilation releases
- Culture of Kings Volume 1 CD (2000) and Vinyl (2000)
- Culture of Kings Volume 2 CD (2002)
- Culture of Kings Volume 3 CD (2003) and Vinyl (2004)
- Obesecity CD (2003)
- Block Party Mixtape 2008