Hyjak N Torcha

Infobox musical artist
Name = Hyjak N Torcha


Img_capt =
Img_size =
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Background = group_or_band
Origin = Sydney
Genre = Hip hop
Years_active = 2000–present
Label = Obese Records
Associated_acts =
URL = http://www.myspace.com/hyjakntorcha
Current_members = Hyjak
Torcha
DJ Bones
Past_members =

Hyjak N Torcha is an Australian hip hop group from Sydney, New South Wales.

Biography

The group, formed in 2000, consists of three members: Hyjak (J. McCarthy), Torcha (J. Chmielewski), and DJ Bones (G. Kordas).

Hyjak first appeared on the scene in 1998, at the age of fifteen he snuck into a pub in the Sydney suburb of Kings Cross to compete in a rap battle, which he won. [http://www.hyjakntorcha.com/site_files/bio.html Bio at the band's website] ] Torcha, hailing from Sydney's west, was an active volunteer youth worker, doing programs in youth prisons and performing at anti-war rallies. Formally part of Sydney's Eth-nik Tribe, another Australian hip hop group.

Hyjak N Torcha are currently signed to Obese Records and their first album "Drastik Measures" [ [http://www.heraldsunhit.com.au/product/drastic_measures_591586_196953.html Herald Sun - 'Drastik Measures'] at Herald Sun HiT online store] was released in 2004, [ [http://librariesaustralia.nla.gov.au/apps/kss?action=Display&mode=fulldisplay&target=freenbd&queryid=4&startPos=1 National Library of Australia - "Drastik Measures"] ] they also released a single, "Sneak", from the album. "Sneak" received airplay on Triple J [ [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hiphop/playlists/hiphop_month_main_October2005.htm Triple J playlist (October, 2005)] ] and the video was played on rage. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/rage/playlist/archive/2006/20060722.htm rage playlist (July, 2006)] ] The album was reviewed on Triple J's website. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/review/album/s1092830.htm Triple J album review - 'Drastik Measures'] ] They have since performed with artists such as the Hilltop Hoods, [ [http://www.xxiv.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/block-party-3-poster.jpgThe Obese Crew Block Party] ] De La Soul, Xzibit, Mobb Deep, Gang Starr, Lord Finesse, [ [http://nokiamusic.webcentral.com.au/?cat=20 Zulu Nation Supa Jam (November 16, 2006)] ] Swollen Members, Murs and Ice Cube. [ [http://www.yourgigs.com.au/event/?45037189 Ice Cube at the Enmore Theatre (August 27, 2007)] ] The group's members are also affiliated with Dominion, an Australian hip hop crew.

They've made guest appearances (together and separately) on records by artists like Hilltop Hoods (Hyjak performed on Hilltop Hoods' album "The Calling" [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/258722 Discogs track listing - "The Calling"] ] ), Bliss n Eso (Hyjak did a guest verse on one of the tracks of Bliss n Eso's "Day of the Dog" album [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/943007 Discog track listing - "Day of the Dog"] ] ) and Pegz (Hyjak and Torcha appeared on Pegz's "Axis" album [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/1080692 Discogs track listing - "Axis"] ] ).

Hyjak has also released a mixtape "Shady Characters" (featuring Torcha, Kye , Ends & Means and others), [ [http://nla.gov.au/anbd.bib-an42350001 National Library of Australia - "Shady Characters"] ] and performed on a track for Jase's lead single "Nutcase". They also released a videoclip for their track "A Night with Chopper", featuring Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read, from his album, "Interview with a Madman" [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/music/taking-the-rap/2006/03/09/1141701617206.html The Age - 'Taking The Rap' (March 10, 2006)] ] , which, in 2006, won the award for 'Best New Filmmaker' (Matt Chuang) at the BelowGround Music Video Fest Awards. [ [http://www.belowground.com.au/ BelowGround Music Fest Awards] ]

Torcha toured with his new band, [ [http://www.themusic.com.au/im_m/display.php?s=christie&id=246 Tim Freedman touring with A Broken Silence 2007] ] A Broken Silence. [ [http://www.theharbouragency.com/artist-profile/a-broken-silence Artist Profile - A Broken Silence] ] One of their songs, "Lost Road", was performed at the Sydney Opera House by Torcha with Tim Freedman (of The Whitlams) and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Discography

Albums

*"Drastik Measures" (2004, Obese)

ingles

*"Sneak" (2004, Obese)

Compilation appearances

* "Lab Exposed - Volume 1" (1999), Statik Recordings (songs: "Kryptonite + Hijak", "Ill Combat", "Best Kept Secret")
* "The Fourth Element Effect" (1999), Blitzkreig (songs: "Wack or Dope", Yeast Inection")
* "Culture of Kings - Volume 2"(2002), Obese Records (song: "Face The Music")
* "Obesecity" (2002), Obese Records (song: "Point Of No Return")
* "Culture of Kings - Volume 3" (2003), Obese Records (song: "It's Over")
* "Straight From The Art 2" (2004), Warner Bros. Records (song: "The Science")
* "Home And Hosed - Freshly Plucked" (2004), ABC Music (song: "Corrected")
* "Chopper Read - Interview with a Madman" (2006), Rott'n Records (song: "Night With Chopper")
* "The Stolen Records" (2007), FBi Records (song: "The Test")

Hyjak solo works

* "Breaking Sound Barriers" (2002), Statik Recordings (EP)
* "Shady Characters" (2006)

DJ Bonez solo works

* "Hands On Decks" (1999), Statik Recordings
* "DJ Bonez Presents the Mother's Kitchen Mix" (2005), Obese Records
* "Aces High" (2005), Obese Records
* "Roll Call" (2007), Obese Records

References

External links

*
* [http://www.obeserecords.com/artists_hnt.htm Artist bio] at Obese Records website
*
* [http://www.centralstation.com.au/articles/shownews.asp?newsid=3959 Interview with Hyjak - Central Station (March 31, 2004)]
* [http://www.therapcella.com/pages/groups/115.htm Rapcella - Artist Profile]