T.D.B

If you thought of a hub for cutting-edge Hip Hop and R&B where would you think of? How about Australia? Stinga T and Big Sexy from TDB -- Tha Deadly Boyz, dropped in and gave us an insight into their current successes, the Hip-Hop movement in Australia, their muse and what we can all expect from TDB in 2011. Check them out! - Essential Pop UK - Ana

What’s the first thing you would say to someone when they ask you to describe yourself as an artist?
We would describe ourselves as Australian Indigenous Hip Hop group with a unique style that everyone one can vibe with regardless of where you live in the world. we strive to develop our sound and style to show the world the best of what Australia has to offer in the Hip Hop and R&B genre.

How long have you been in the industry?
We have been in the Industry for about 7 years and going strong. It has been hard to break through due to Australia being behind in the Hip Hop and R&B genre as appose to Pop and Rock but its slowly making head-way and hopefully not to far away from being cemented in the Australia Music Industry.

Do you have any projects out now?
We have Actually got an album out now entitled ‘Rise’ which we have distribution for it through Firestarter Distribution which is distributed physically around Australia and Digitally released Internationally. Also along with The album being released we recently at the 2nd annual 2010 Indigenous Hip Hop and R&B BUMP awards won
2 awards for Best Hip Hop Album and Best music video. Also TDB featurewd in a Feature film being released soon called ’49 the movie’, as acting is also apart of our talents.

What inspires your music?
Our inspiration comes from the number one thing in our lifes, which is our families. We see alot of good times and alot of bad times, also with how we live and all the experiences through life that we all experience. Also we get inspiration from that to make things better for ourselves and our families because i think every one has that focus in mind and that push to help you and yours. so we do write on that bases aswell as our experiences. Its all about bettering ourselves and living a happy and full life and focusing on the positive and try not to let the negative in.

Where are you from?
We are both originally from Western Australia but we reside in South Australia since we moved over here when we were young. We have made our base here and we have called South Australia home.

What artists in the industry inspire you the most today?
Well the artists that inspire us are the ones that have been given a chance and done something with it. Our music is based on Hip Hop and R&B so our influences come from most U.S. artists like 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, T.I., Bone Thugs, Ludacris, B.I.G and 2Pac etc. Also we get inspiration from R&B artists such as Boys 2 Men, Jagged Edge, Michael Jackson, Brian Mcknight and so many others. We get influenced by people with a great work ethic and have worked hard towards there dreams and ambitions and make them come to reality. Its what we are working towards and we will achieve with every step forward we take.

Why is that?
Its Because they have worked towards and achieved success and thats what we want aswell. We love to make music and its so much apart of us and to reach a level of being a successful and making a career out of it would be a dream come true. Doing something you love for the rest of your life.

What makes you different from other artist today?
What makes us different from other artists today is that we are unique and we are breaking the mold so to speak. TDB do things that many other artists are afraid to do and that will always seperate us from the rest. Taking a risk and exploring different concepts of lyrics and music are what we look to do and i think were one of the groups with most variety within the music we make. Also we focus on the better things in life and work towards that, staying positive and looking towards the future
is what we are all about.

What do you want your future fans to know about you?
What We want our future fans to know about is that with our music, whether your Domestic or international and live on the other side of the world, we will find a common group with you with music or even on a deeper level of understanding. Music is a love that we all share so lets make it happen. - Alwayz Therro Mag - USA

By Christie Eliezer

MELBOURNE (Billboard) - A new generation of hip-hop acts is emerging from a community ravaged by poverty, drugs, alcohol and education problems and struggling with a lack of opportunities: Australia's indigenous peoples.

The country's 200 indigenous tribes make up 2.4% of Australia's 21 million population -- but 22% of its prison population. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show their life expectancy is 17 years less than the national average, with adults two-and-a-half times more likely to be unemployed than their nonindigenous counterparts.

That grim picture invites comparison to the social conditions that spawned the American hip-hop scene. However, rather than promoting a "gangsta" lifestyle, Australia's indigenous rappers' lyrics are concerned with racism, alcoholism and violence in their ghettoes -- as well as celebrating family/tribal ties and ancient folklore.

Acts such as Tjimba & the Yung Warriors, Indigenous Intrudaz, Konect-a-Dot, Pott Street, and Tha Deadly Boys -- singing in English or local dialects -- are selling out clubs across Australia.

MINIMAL SALES

"CD sales are still minimal," says Universal Music Australia managing director George Ash, who is negotiating to sign an undisclosed act, "but (indigenous hip-hop) is a sizable proposition when you factor in income from merchandising and touring."

Tjimba & the Yung Warriors released their debut album, "Warrior 4 Life," on Melbourne-based Blackwing Productions in August 2007. Blackwing managing director Rich Micallef reckons 70% of the act's income comes from live performances, with the remainder split between merchandising and record sales.

There aren't any accurate data on indigenous hip-hop sales, with illegal downloading/copying among fans prevalent. However, the market for home-grown hip-hop was illustrated by the crossover success of white rap trio Hilltop Hoods in 2006.

Having built a sizable fan base though constant touring, the Adelaide act went to No. 1 with its fourth album "The Hard Road." Its Obese Records label says sales have passed 70,000 units. That success paved the way for such names as the Herd, Downsyde and Koolism to pick up some mainstream radio play.

Indigenous hip-hop regularly airs on national youth radio network Triple J, college radio and indigenous network Koori Radio. However, Maya Jupiter, host of Triple J's weekly hip-hop show, says mainstream radio "has a problem with records with a strong Australian accent."

While the majors sniff around the indigenous scene, the independent sector has been capturing its key acts on record.

Micallef set up Blackwing Productions in 2007 to provide management, production and touring services for indigenous acts, and "Warrior 4 Life" was its first release. "Our aim is to license individual recordings to majors here and overseas," he says. "There's a lot of interest in Aboriginal music from European and U.S. labels and festivals."

Another company focusing on indigenous hip-hop/urban acts, Redfern Records Entertainment, was launched last October in Redfern, the Sydney black ghetto where its co-founding siblings Stephen and Nikita Ridgeway grew up.

"We want to show there are indigenous hip-hop acts that are better than Hilltop Hoods," Stephen Ridgeway says.

Redfern's first album, released January 15, is the compilation "Beats From Tha Street," featuring such acts as Pott Street and rappers Task and Konect-a-Dot.

Ridgeway wants to stage an indigenous hip-hop awards ceremony in June in Sydney, alongside a national multi-artist tour. Redfern's mission, he says, is to "put nonindigenous people in our shoes so they understand the issues we face."

Reuters/Billboard - By Christie Eliezer

Adelaide-made short film Coil, is screening at the Cannes Short Film Corner in France. Coil was Director by Lucas Scheffel and produced and written by Deanna Ortuso who also stars.

Its about a convicted criminal (played by Stinga T from the hot rap group Tha Deadly Boyz) , who escapes during a prison transfer and, the local journalist whos in hot pursuit.

Screening May 14 -25 at Cannes short corner film festival. - The Advertiser

Mixed in Black is a new website promoting indigenous artists, actors and musician, all in one hit. the website launch will feature top hip hop artists Tha Deadly Boyz Stinga T (Thibul Nettle) and Big Sexy (Micheal Collard)

It will give Aboriginal artist the opportunity to be seen by the main stream audiences. - messenger adelaide paper

both play the didgeridoo , but the two members of northern suburbs band Tha Deadly Boyz had hip hop and rnb on their minds when making their debut album.
Aboriginal duo Michael " Big Sexy"Collard and cousin Thibul "Stinga T " Nettle will launch their album Unleash Tha Nyoongars this month after seven years of performing together. "its a mix between street and hardcore hip hop " nettle says.
The band , which started with six boys at Paralowie high school , finished in the top 10 of the 2006 music oz awards in the Aboriginal and torres strait Islander category.

Nettle says the pair regularly perform at gigs and Aboriginal events and are on the hunt for a record label.



- Messenger Northern

Tha Deadly Boyz are aiming to change the face of Aboriginal hip hop by hitting the mainstream music industry with their new album "Rise".

They are currently in talks to do a collaboration with US rapper The Game, have self funded two albums , acting in feature films , and have found airplay for alot of their tracks of regional radio stations around the country.

TDB are Yarba Nettle (aka Charlie Streetz), Thibul Nettle (aka Stinga T), Micheal Collard (aka Big Sexy), Johnny Gomez ( aka Junior).

Nettle 25 says the aboriginal hip hop genre is progressing quickly but is yet to live up to it potential.

"there are a lot of very good artist all over Australia but Aboriginal hip hop hasnt got that recognition yet, because there hasnt yet been an act to reach the mainstream .

The sucess of the hilltop hoods opened the doors for other hip hop acts to follow but yet their are no Aboriginal hip hop acts already out there.

Adamant the two genres are nothing alike, TDB liken their style more to American hip hop then its Australian counterpart.

Drawing inspiratioon from their up bringing ,Nettle says their music gives Indigenous people a voice and can break down stereotypes.

"Yeah were Aboriginal , yeah there are issues with drugs,crime and alcohol.

But its not us that do it and yet we get labeled in the same category. we were not perfect kids but see who we are now and what were trying to do for hip hop and our people.

we can break the cycle and promote the idea we are not all alcoholics, we do hace talent and were just like every other person.

the groups second goal is to break through to the mainstream market here in Australia and overseas with the latest album Rise, so far so good with their first single "rise" doing very well and their latest single "My Baby" doing well with the mainstream audience.

These boys are taking the industry by storm and doing all by their selves. they aim is to be positive role models for young people.

- Messenger paper by Lisa Bachmayer