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Biografía
The group is composed of MCs Suffa (Matt Lambert) and Pressure (Daniel Smith) and DJ Debris (Barry Francis). The beginnings of Hilltop Hoods can be traced back to Blackwood High School where Lambert and Smith met in 1987 and bonded over a love of intellectual rap heard from collectives like Public Enemy and KRS-One. The band additionally cites Notorious B.I.G., Gang Starr, Wu-Tang Clan, and the Beastie Boys as major influences. They would pay tribute to the Beastie Boys later in their career, covering the track “So What’cha Want” from the classic album “Check Your Head”.
The Hilltop Hoods made no effort in hiding their thick Australian accent. Along with their abstract lyrics and catchy beats, sounding as if they were lifted from a dusty 60s psychedelic record, they developed one of the most idiosyncratic personalities in the rap game. The ball started rolling after the two MCs were joined by DJ Next (Ben John Hare). Hare was not only a gifted DJ, he was also a well versed engineer and is credited for the majority of the production work on the Hilltop Hoods’ early releases. The group put out the demo “Highlanderz” (a cassette only release) before issuing their first official release, which was the 1997 E.P. “Back Once Again”. This release was made available only on vinyl and included a total of 6 tracks. The title track included a sample of Public Enemy’s “Bring the Noise”.
Two years later the group independently released their debut album “A Matter of Time”. This was the last output to feature DJ Next. Next moved to Melbourne after his departure and developed his own mixtape website in 2005 and additionally has gone on to act as a freelance web designer.
In 1999 Hilltop Hoods recruited DJ Debris of fellow rap group Cross Bred Mongrels to replace Next. With the new line up they released their album “Left Foot, Right Foot” in 2001. However it was not until their next release, 2003’s “The Calling”, that the group had their commercial breakthrough. The album exhibited a noticeably monaural sound, which Suffa attributes to the minimalistic way it was recorded, which was on his mom’s computer. Despite the album’s lo-fi production it was a major success. The album debuted on the ARIA Albums Chart at No. 53. By 2006 it sold over 75,000 units, making it the first Australian hip-hop album to reach platinum status.
The group seemed to be in a record breaking trend with the release of their next album “The Hard Road”. It reached No.1 on the charts, making it the first Australian hip-hop record to do so and also went gold within a week of its release. By this time the group seemed to have reached celebrity status and continued putting out chart topping albums. Their 2009 release “State of the Art” housed two of their biggest singles “Chase That Feeling” and “Still Standing”.
Their 2012 album “Drinking From the Sun” and their 2014 album “Walking Under Stars” also peaked at No.1 on the charts. The trio has since gained global recognition particularly in the States. Their album “Drinking From the Sun” features high profile American MCs such as Black Thought from the Roots and Chali 2Na from Jurassic 5.
Críticas en vivo
The Hilltop Hoods are probably Australia's longest running Hip hop group, and are the undeniable face of the Oz hip hop scene. Their sound is an exemplar of Oz rap, firmly rooted in the jazz and deck-heavy sensibilities of the 90's. They first formed way back in 97, taking inspiration from Notorious B.I.G, Gang Starr, KRS-One and Wu Tang. They've since become the poster children for Australia's hip hop scene, setting up foundations to support other acts, and being the go to support act for big names on their Australian legs of tours. Their discography is an ode to old school, DJ-centric beats, and the fiery delivery of their idols. Their live performances as such, carry with them all the vitality and nostalgia of the era from which they derive their style. Oz hip hop is a tight knit community, as such performances often feature long lists of scene members, MC's and DJ's that brought the scene out from the small but staunchly supportive fan bases from where they first started, and out into the mainstream of Australian recording artists. The Hoods are one of those groups around which the entire scene orbits, championing the unique sounds of Australian Hip hop, for anyone keen on the genre, they're compulsory viewing.
matthookuk
Although hip hop may have originated on the coasts of the United States, there is no doubt that artists from other countries have adopted the genre successfully over the years. Trio Hilltop Hoods are perhaps Australia's most successful hip hop export partly due to the longevity of their career which now spans over twenty years.
Their music has reached global audiences and they have taken their live show around the world many times stopping off at a number of festivals. They are a fantastic band when it comes to hyping up crowds as they technically have three frontmen all of equal enthusiasm and intent. They make sure that everybody is equally excited before unleashing fan favourites including 'Chase That Feeling' and there is a real fun factor throughout yet this doesn't mean the group are not also here to demonstrate real freestyle ability. Sia is not on hand to help out for collaboration 'I Love It' yet it still makes for a fitting end to an incredibly lively, rambunctious live operation.
sean-ward
The moment they appeared on stage the air became electric. Their energy was contagious and the crowd rocked that energy like it was in high demand on a black Friday. I brought friends who weren't convinced they liked the Hoods all thag much. But after being a part of such a passionate moment they quickly came to thank me after we left the venue.
One word:"addictive".
I can't wait for them to come back already. Hell, I might just move to Australia.
Go see these buggers if they're in town. You won't regret it.
nevlin-holvoet
Seeing HH in concert was on my bucket list for quite some time. They did not disappoint and this concert was amazing. They played a lot of songs from their new album and even a few of the classics from the state of the art album. The show was high energy and good vibes from beginning to end. A special bonus was seeing Mally and Adrien Eagle as had not heard these artists before and they were also very talented performers and showman. Would definitely see all these artists again next time they are in town.
stephenhamre
These guys are absolutely amazing, one of a kind. Great stage performance and presence. They interacted with the crowd, which most bands or groups don't do very often. Seriously if your a fan or you just like a song of theirs you're going to want to see them live no matter what!!! Highly recommend it.
courtz6219
They were spectacular. Electrifyingly good. Definitely won't be using the exit sign. I would see them again and can't wait until they return to Melbourne in a few years.
Disregard this part of the review, I have to reach a 30 word minimum and don't know what else to write.
The show was amazing! The energy was fantastic and the band performed perfectly. The first opener wasn’t as good as i had hoped but Mojojuju really brought back the energy. Hilltop had so many guest artists that performed just as well as everyone else. 100% would go again.
pymage
Hilltop has been killing it for a long time and keeps coming out with great music. Absolute blast of a show with amazing vibes, dope performances, crazy crowd energy. Can't recommend Hilltop Hoods enough even for people who don't know their music.
tyler-wilson-9
They had such an energetic performance for a Tuesday and had Electric Brixtop topless and waving their shirts around like they just don't care!!! encore with Crosby Sweater was all time!!! great show from some absolute industry legends!
blake-edmunds
