- Obese Records
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Obese Records Founded 2002 Founder Tirren Staaf (Pegz) Genre Hip hop Country of origin Australia Location Melbourne Official Website http://www.obeserecords.com/ Obese Records is an Australian hip hop record label. It is the largest Australian independent Hip-Hop label,[1] a retail store and a touring ('Zoo Dynamics') and record distribution company.
Contents
History
Obese Records started in 1995 as a small record store,[2] called OB's by Ollie Bobbitt, in Prahran specialising in hip hop music.[3] 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.[4]
Starting the label is where I saw the future, there wasn't anyone specialised doing just Aussie hip-hop. There were a few labels like Nuff Said but nobody was putting good marketing money into it. I saw the opening and went for it. It was about giving the people around me the opportunity they deserved.—Tirren Staaf (2009)[5]Pegz, a Melbourne-based artist, used the label to create a distribution network.[6] Pegz also purchased the Zenith Records vinyl pressing plant, one of only two companies that still press vinyl records in Australia.[7] The pressing plant was subsequnetly sold in November 2007[1] The first artist released on the label was MC Reason's EP, Solid in 2000,[8] produced by Jolz with appearances from Brad Strut, Bias B and Pac D.[9]
A few labels were doing things with hip-hop, but people really weren’t investing the capital into it. Obese was born out of necessity – there was nobody touching Aussie hip-hop. Maybe the majors didn’t know how to market it, or the independent labels didn’t have any faith?—Tirren Staaf (2008)[10]Other early releases included compilation albums, Culture of Kings (which included songs by Koolism, Hilltop Hoods, Terra Firma, Lyrical Commission and Downsyde)[9] and Obesecity, which Pegz describes as 'key networking tools' for the growing Australian hip hop scene,[8] 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.[9]
In 2003, Obese released the Hilltop Hoods album The Calling, which became the first Australian hip hop album to go gold.[11] Mark Pollard, founder of Stealth Magazine, 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.[12]
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).[13]
At the 2007 ARIA Awards, the Hilltop Hoods won 'Best Urban Release' for their album The Hard Road: Restrung.[14] 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.[15]
Following Hilltops Hoods departure to start their own label Obese Records focus is now on the next generation of local artists.
It's an exciting time for us. Guys like Skyptcha, Spit Syndicate, Illy and Dialectrix have a tonne of potential. Half the guys on our label are about 23. I just love being surrounded by these guys. They've got so much enthusiasm and energy. They're trying totally different things. I'm enjoying what they're bringing to the table.—Tirren Staaf (2009)[8]In 2010 M-Phazes' album, Good Gracious, was nominated for 'Best Urban Album' at the ARIA Awards.[16]
Artists
The following artists are currently signed to Obese Records:
- Bias B (Victoria)
- Chasm
- Coalition Crew (Queensland)
- DJ Bonez (New South Wales)
- Dialectrix (New South Wales)
- Gully Platoon (Pegz, Dialectrix and Joe New)
- Hyjak N Torcha (New South Wales)
- Illy (Victoria)
- Jase (Victoria)
- Mantra (Victoria)
- Layla (Western Australia)
- M-Phazes (Queensland)
- Muphin (Victoria)
- Muph & Plutonic (Victoria)
- Pegz (Victoria)
- Plutonic Lab (Victoria)
- Reason (Victoria)
- Simplex (Adelaide)
- Skryptcha (New South Wales)
- Spit Syndicate (New South Wales)
- Thundamentals (New South Wales)
Alumni
A list of former artists:
- Bliss N Eso (New South Wales)
- Drapht (Western Australia)
- Brad Strut (Victoria)
- Downsyde (Western Australia)
- Funkoars (South Australia)
- Hilltop Hoods (South Australia)
- Matty B (Western Australia)
- Vents (South Australia)
Compilation releases
- Culture of Kings Volume 1 CD (2000)[17] and Vinyl (2000)[18]
- Culture of Kings Volume 2 CD (2002)[19]
- Culture of Kings Volume 3 CD (2003)[20] and Vinyl (2004)[21]
- Obesecity CD (2003)[22]
- Block Party Mixtape 2008
See also
External links
References
- ^ a b Walter, John. "Fatter Than Ya Mama". Melbourne Pixel magazine. http://www.melbournepixel.com/issue/01/i01a03_obese.html. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- ^ "Obese Records Interview by Writin' Exact, Scene Magazine". http://www.scenemagazine.com.au/index.php/component/content/article/510-obese-records-interview. Retrieved 2011-03-20.
- ^ "Australian Music Online - record label profile 'Obese Records'". Archived from the original on 2008-07-29. http://web.archive.org/web/20080729030949/http://www.amo.org.au/label.asp?id=533. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- ^ "Reason, Local Noise (02/10/2004)". http://www.localnoise.net.au/site-directory/interviews/reason/. Retrieved 2011-03-20.
- ^ Kuch, Jesse (24 September 2009). "The Don". The Cairns Post. http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2009/09/24/65611_print-version.html. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
- ^ Colman, Tim (2005-12-09). "Milkbar Stars". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/cd--gig-reviews/milkbar-stars/2005/12/08/1133829704676.html. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
- ^ "New vinyl records donated to the NFSA". Australian Film Commission. http://www.afc.gov.au/newsandevents/at_archive/donations/vinylrecords/newspage_314.aspx. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ^ a b c "Tales of Obese City". Mag (Slattery Media Group). June 2009.
- ^ a b c "Obese Records interview". Scene Magazine. http://www.scenemagazine.com.au/index.php/component/content/article/510-obese-records-interview. Retrieved 29 March 20-11.
- ^ Dennes, Caz (2008-05-01). "OBESE BLOCK PARTY - Block Rockin’ Beats". BMA Magazine. http://www.bmamag.com/?p=243. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
- ^ Tiptop hip-hop with an Aussie accent: Record Scout Music News
- ^ Mitchell, Tony. "Mark Pollard". Local Noise. University of Technology, Sydney. http://www.localnoise.net.au/site-directory/interviews/mark-pollard/. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
- ^ "Jagermeister AIR Award nominees". FasterLouder.com.au. 19 October 2007. http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/11340/Jagermeiater-AIR-Award-Nominees.htm. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
- ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2007: 21st Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=2007. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
- ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2008: 22nd Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=2008. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
- ^ Ferris, Rina; Brennan, Kristyn (28 September 2010). "2010 ARIA Awards Nominations & Artisan Award Winners Announced" (Portable Document Format (PDF)). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). http://www.ariaawards.com.au/archives/media-centre/2009/Media%20Release%20-%202010%20ARIA%20Award%20Nominations%20and%20Artisan%20Award%20winners%20announced%21.pdf. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- ^ "Various - Culture Of Kings Volume 1". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Various-Culture-Of-Kings-Volume-1/master/52099. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
- ^ "Various - Culture Of Kings Volume 1". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Various-Culture-Of-Kings-Volume-1/release/735807. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
- ^ "Various - Culture Of Kings Volume 2". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Various-Culture-Of-Kings-Volume-2/release/239956. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
- ^ "Various - Culture Of Kings Volume 3". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Various-Culture-Of-Kings-Volume-3/release/259607. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
- ^ "Various - Culture Of Kings Volume 3". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Various-Culture-Of-Kings-Volume-3/release/415668. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
- ^ "Various - Obesecity". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Various-Obesecity/release/403323. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
Categories:- Australian hip hop record labels
- Record labels established in 1995
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