| Hydrofunk Records | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | DJ Katch Dave Atkins |
| Genre | Hip hop, Beats, Funk, Soul, Experimental |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Location | Toowong, Queensland |
| Official website | http://www.hydrofunk.com.au |
Hydrofunk Records is Australia's longest running independent hip hop record label distributed by MGM . Hydrofunk Records represents, and develops Australian Hip Hop artist and producers including the Resin Dogs and Def Wish Cast. [1] [2]
Hydrofunk Records started in 1994 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. [2] [3]
In 1997 Hydrofunk released its first L.P. 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, followed by the Volcanic Lab EP in 1998 which gained the band momentum with touring nationally. This success enabled Hydrofunk Records to secure a label distribution deal with Virgin/EMI in 1999. [2] [4] 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.
The following artists are currently or have previously been signed to Hydrofunk Records:
The new school of hip hop was a movement in hip hop music, beginning in 1983–84 with the early records of Run–D.M.C., Whodini, and LL Cool J. Predominantly from Queens and Brooklyn, it was characterized by Drum Machine-led minimalism, often tinged with elements of Rock; rapped taunts, boasts, and socio-political commentary; and aggressive, self-assertive delivery. In song and image, its artists projected a tough, cool, street B-boy attitude. These elements contrasted sharply with Funk and Disco, Novelty hits, live bands, synthesizers, and party rhymes of artists prevalent in the early 1980s. Compared to their older hip hop counterparts, new school artists crafted more cohesive LPs and shorter songs more amenable to airplay. By 1986, their releases began to establish hip hop in the mainstream.
Rawkus Records was an American hip hop record label, owned by James Murdoch, known for starting the careers of many rappers. Rawkus started in 1995 with releases in hip-hop, drum and bass and fun-dustrial.
Australian hip hop traces its origins to the early 1980s and was initially largely inspired by hip hop and other urban musical genres from the United States. As the form matured, Australian hip hop has become a commercially viable style of music that is no longer restricted to the creative underground, with artists such as Onefour, Hilltop Hoods, Kerser and Bliss n Eso and having achieved notable fame. Australian Hip-Hop is still primarily released through independent record labels, which are often owned and operated by the artists themselves. Despite its genesis as an offshoot of American hip-hop, Australian hip hop has developed a distinct personality that reflects its evolution as an Australian musical style. Since the inception of the Australian hip-hop scene, Australian Aboriginals have played a prominent role.
Anticon was an independent record label based in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1998 by seven musicians and manager Baillie Parker. It was collectively owned among six musicians, co-founder Parker, and manager Shaun Koplow. The original musicians signed to Anticon were once referred to as the Anticon collective. Following the death of one of its founding members in 2018, the label dissolved.
Def Jam Recordings is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop.
Def Wish Cast, are an Australian hip hop group from Western Sydney.
Resin Dogs is an Australian hip hop group, formed in Brisbane, Queensland 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. The Resin Dogs consist of Dave Atkins, DJ Katch, Dennis Kudelka, Jonothan Bolt and Tony McCall, with regular guest appearances in Australia by Hau Latukefu (Koolism), N'Fa Forster-Jones and on their overseas touring they appear with Abstract Rude (ATU) (US), Mystro (UK), and BluRum13 (Canada).
ApSci is an Australian video-centric avant pop duo with origins in indie hip hop. As individuals, their roots go back to punk rock and opera. The duo consists of Bronx born, New Jersey-bred Ra Lamotta and his Filipino-Australian wife Dana Diaz-Tutaan. The duo, which has been performing together since meeting in 1998, has received added attention after being signed to underground hip hop label Quannum Projects in 2004. The band name is a portmanteau of "applied science."
Downsyde is an Australian hip hop group from Perth, Western Australia. The group is composed of three members, Optamus, Dazastah and Dyna-Mikes.
Koolism is an Australian hip hop duo originating from Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
European hip hop refers to hip hop music and culture originating from Europe. Emerging in the 1980s following the genre's popularity in the United States, European hip hop has evolved into a diverse and influential musical movement. It encompasses a wide range of styles and subgenres, reflecting the continent's varied cultural landscapes and the experiences of both ethnic nationals and immigrant communities. Notable regional scenes include British hip hop and grime, German hip hop featuring both ethnic German and Turkish artists, and French hip hop, which has undergone several distinct eras of development. Other countries such as the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, and Romania have also produced significant hip hop scenes, each with its own unique characteristics and prominent artists.
The Legacy Continues... is the second album by hardcore Australian hip hop crew Def Wish Cast, released 14 years after their debut, Knights of the Underground Table. The original members all returned, except for DJ Vame. The turntables are managed by a number of different DJs, including Geoff Blunted, DJ Bonez, DJ Sing, and their new full-time member, DJ Murda One.
Sound Unlimited, formerly known as Sound Unlimited Posse and Westside Posse, was an Australian hip hop group from Sydney and the first Australian hip hop act signed to a major label during the 1990s. The band's members were: Rosano and Tina Martinez, MC Kode Blue and Vlad DJ BTL.
Jason Carter, better known by the stage name Mad Doctor X is a British DJ.
Brethren is an Australian hip hop duo from Sydney formed in 1989. The group comprises Matthew Peet a.k.a. "Mistery" and Claude Rodriguez a.k.a. Wizdm. They have released two albums, two EPs and a number of singles and collaborations. They have performed live locally, notably at festivals including The Big Day Out, Livid and Blackstump Music Festival.
Brothers Stoney is an Australian hip hop group hailing from Brisbane, Queensland. The crew comprises emcees Lazy Grey and Len One. Both Lazy Grey and Len One are members of the Brisbane hip hop crew, 750 Rebels.
DJ Damage is an Australian hip hop DJ and turntablist from Brisbane, Australia. He started in hip hop culture via breaking and buying records in 1983. DJ Damage was in Brisbane mid 90s hip hop group Towering Inferno, and a member of the Big Rigs six turntable DJ team from the same period. DJ Damage is currently a member of The Optimen. He was a member of the turntablist crew the Terntable Jediz. He is also a member of the Brisbane new jazz and funk band Step It Up.
BluRum13, born James Sobers, is an American underground rapper, emcee, actor and producer who also uses the pseudonym Killa Platypus. Originally from New York City, he spent most of his formative years in Washington, D.C., and is the great nephew of knighted cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers.
Maybach Music Group is a record label founded by American rapper Rick Ross in 2008. An imprint of gamma. since 2023, the label was previously an imprint of Def Jam Recordings (2009–2011), Warner Records (2011–2012) and Atlantic Records (2012–2023). The label, having signed artists including Wale, Meek Mill, French Montana, Omarion, Rockie Fresh, and Stalley, has released a total of 29 studio albums, including three compilation albums in its Self-Made series. The "Maybach Music" vocal tag heard in many of the label's recordings is spoken by Australian model Jessica Gomes.
Soundbombing is a hip hop compilation album by Rawkus Records, released on October 14, 1997. The album helped launch the careers of Mos Def and Reflection Eternal, who later became Rawkus's most popular artists. Soundbombing is regarded as a "scene-defining" underground hip hop album.
