Dylan Sumner aka Big Dilz MC/Beat maker and Ben Sumner aka Binky DJ/Beat maker are hip-hop duo 5114. Big Dilz and Binky are cousins of the Ngarrindjeri people from SA. They grew up in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, 5114 is the Smithfield, Craigmore and Blakeview area code.
5114 started laying down tracks in October 2005. Since then they have produced around 70 tracks and the number is growing. They have a large following in the northern areas of Adelaide.
5114 have a diverse range of influences; Big Dilz is influenced by David Bowie, The Cure, Nivana, LL Cool J, NWA and Naf. Binky is influenced by hip hop artists such as Necro, Jedi Mind Tricks, Lacoka Noscra Ill Bill, Everlast, Danny Boy, Big L, Lord Finessc, Def Squad, KRS 1, The Roots, Beat Nuts, Nas, Gangstarr, and Ice T.
They sample a lot of music from the 1950s, 60s & 70s, choosing very soulful tunes that contrast with their confronting lyrics. They also use samples from films. 5114 feels that if it worked in that era it can in this one. 5114 have developed their own unique fusion of hip-hop.
5114 represent the local North Side of Adelaide, and write about the real stuff that happens every day.Their sound has been described as rough, raw n’ street gritty. However, there is much to say about their style, it is also combines humour and heart.Big Dilz and Binky believe in what they are doing, they are what they are. As 5114 says: ‘you live it, I wrote it, I did it, you quote it’.
Glenn’s musical journey transcends the country/folk/roots crossroads, creating a unique sound reminiscent of Springsteen and Steve Earle. With soulful lyricism and a street-hardened eye Glenn is a vital and compelling storyteller with poetic lyrics full of love and loss, murder, betrayal and renewal. He gives voice to those whose stories must be heard.
Admired by his peers, praised by critics and adored by his audience, his first album after ten years of venue hopping in the Sydney live scene, ‘Out of the Darkness’ released in 2001, received rave reviews and extensive airplay with nominations for the ‘The Deadly’s’ in the ‘Best Album’, ‘Best Single’ for ‘Cradle to the Grave’ and ‘Best Male Artist’ categories. Since then Glenn’s songs have been featured on the ABC’s ‘Sending A Message’ and Secret Street’s ‘Fresh Salt’ compilation CD’s. In 2002, he appeared at the Adelaide International Festival of the Arts where he supported Buddy Miller.
The ‘Restless Souls’ band features some of Australia’s most highly revered country and roots music players including Martin Hailey on guitar, lap steel and dobro, Clare O’Meara on fiddle & accordion, and Jon Howell on drums.
The band accompanies Glenn on his third album ‘Nothing Like Rain’. Produced by Martin Hailey and funded by Arts SA, there is ‘Nothing Like Rain’ on the oh-so lonesome road. It is a watershed album that will be remembered for its poetic quality that captures raw emotion perfectly. Glenn was featured on ABC Television ‘Message Stick’ as the album was being recorded in April, 2006. The ‘Message Stick’ program profiles the man and his music tracking him from Redfern to Goodooga highlighting original songs ‘No Poet Lives by the Rule’, ‘Redfern Girl’ and ‘Bridges’.
Jimblah is a proud Walpiri/ Larakia man from the Northern part of Australia. Moving to Adelaide at a young age, he grew up being influenced by the local Oz Hip Hop scene and started writing and developing his own raps. After building on his production skills for the last year and a half, Jimblah is now working on completing his debut release.
Jimblah was influenced by hip-hop from the age of 12 when he began listening to Snoop Dogg’s album Doggystyle, playing it repetitively memorising every line word for word. He was later introduced to the work of other rappers such as 2 Pac, Biggie Smalls, Dogg Pound, N.W.A., Dr Dre and DJ Quik. Interests in “underground” hip-hop lead him to learn about the four basic elements known as turntablism, breaking, graffiti and emcing. Jimblah started free styling regularly, rapping with others and writing tracks by the age of 15.
Jimblah performed as a guest artist with F&D during the Good Vibrations festival at The Shores Complex in 2006. This event also featured artists such as, Kool Keith, Decepticons, and Terra Firma. He has also performed at Blakalicious in 2006 with J-live at Earth nightclub. Jimblah featured at The Governor Hindmarsh with the Resin Dogs featuring Mystro, Hau, and Abstract Rude. More recently Jimblah performed as part of the Crookneck extravaganza, Live N Well, featuring Social Change, F&D, and A-love on the 27th of January 2007 at the Electric Light Hotel.
Artists who Jimblah has collaborated with include the following: Koolism, A-love, Spike T, F&D, Raph Boogie, Simplex. Note that these collaborations are for yet to be released tracks. The only track that has been released, which Jimblah is a featured artist on, is F&D’s Cool Love. A film clip has been produced for Cool Love and was filmed at Victor Harbour. Jimblah’s other appearance’s include B sharp’s Mixtape vol 1 and 2.
In 2006 Jimblah commenced work as a tutor at Kurruru Youth Performing Arts. This work has involved travelling out to regional areas such as the Flinders Ranges, Ceduna and Leigh Creek, teaching rap workshops to Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. Jimblah finds this work to be very rewarding for himself, and for his community. Through this work he has had the opportunity to meet and work with two of his favourite and admired MCs, Simplex from Terra Firma and Trials from the Funkoars.
Jimblah has also worked at Carclew on Blaknite, Comeout 05. This role involved both DJing at the Blaknite dance party, and membership duties for the Steering Committee (Blak Nite). He also performed his own music at Blak Nite.Producing his own music is something that, as an artist, Jimblah gains satisfaction from and plans to continue doing.
Karnage aka Tristrum Watkins is a hip-hop artist who produces his own beats and has performed at Festivals and community events around Adelaide and the Northern Territory. As quoted from Karnage: “Music made the life I’m living”, Karnage enjoys the rush on stage, and people’s reactions to his music.
Born in Victoria (Kamiloroi) in 1986 Matthew Johnson, though still quite young has been involved in the arts for years. Matthew began his training by performing in church and at community conventions from a young age. As a child he acted in a flying doctors film and by the time he was in grade four he was on stage. A prediction made at Matthew’s first childhood performance was that he should be on “Neighbours”. He also has performed in a number of high school dramas and in local bands.
When asked about his ability Matthew says he just “loves to perform”. He loves “being that character” and “Bringing a message across”. Its clear that Matthew enjoys getting out and performing as his dramatic antics have earned him a reputation as a larrikin.
With a number of recorded songs and acting performances, Matthew still keeps himself grounded, as he wants to concentrate on improving his acting, singing and musical ability.
Born in Wallaroo (Narrunga and Gunditjunari) in 1974, Naomi Hicks is a colourful, lively character that has been active in her community and the arts for some time. Most recently Naomi was involved in playback theatre at the “Almond Blossom Festival of Willunga” and is currently performing with local band “Black Chance” and works for a mental health service.
With experience in acting and recorded music tracks, Naomi would like to continue performing as both a hip-hop artist and actor so that she can share real stories with communities through song, rhyme and acting.
Sonya Rankine a local singer and songwriter with a mixed taste of music that's comes through in her original work. Currently studying at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM) at the University of Adelaide. A Narungga/Ngarrindjeri woman who writes from her heart and is reflective on her life experiences. Take a musical journey with Sonya as you listen to her lyrics and feel the warmth in her voice. Sonya has performed at various showcase events in Adelaide, notably at the Fuse Festival 2007.
Thibul Nettle aka Stinga T and Michael Collard aka Big Sexy are an Adelaide based rap duo Tha Deadly Boyz. Both rappers are aged 24 and have been performing since 1999. Stinga T and Big Sexy are cousins. They proud Nyoongars from Perth, Western Australia, and both moved to Adelaide when they were very young. Back in 1999, while still at high school, the pair had plans of becoming an R&B group and developed their singing abilities, undertaking vocal training for 3 years.
Stinga T and Big Sexy have written and recorded a number of their own songs. Initially they performed under the name of Westside Boyz and were a group of 6. In 2002 they decided to focus on developing a rap group and this has since been their chosen style of music. Now as a duo they are known as T.D.B - Tha Deadly Boyz.
T.D.B grew up listening to: Boyz 2 Men, G-Unit, Dr Dre, LL Cool J, Jagged Edge, 112, Ice Cube, Ludacris, NWA, R Kelly, Notorious Big, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Westside Connection, Xzibit, and Michael Jackson. Their music is a mixture of street, dance, a little R&B and hardcore rap. With such an eclectic musical fusion, their sounds offer something for everyone. T.D.B have performed as part of a number of shows around Adelaide. These gigs have included fundraisers, launch parties, community events and festivals - including the Fringe and Comeout. T.D.B have been working on their debut album, which is now ready for release.
The song ‘Bounce with us’ is a collaboration between T.D.B and U.S rapper 4/5, and features on their soon to be released album ‘Unleash Tha Nyoongars’. Their tune ‘Party Song’ is featured on the ‘Taste Like Chicken’ compilation CD, which was released in 2004. A mixtape entitled ‘Fear of a Black Australia’ is due for national release this year, on which T.D.B are featured alongside other popular artists.T.D.B also finished in the top 10 of the 2006 Musicoz Awards in Sydney, Aboriginal &Torres Strait Islander category. This year they have entered into the mainstream urban music category.
While T.D.B are known within the local SA Aboriginal community, Stinga T and Big Sexy are ready to take the next step towards mainstream national and international music communities. They feel that it is time to show the rest of the world that Aboriginal people can kick it with the mainstream in music, film and live performance.Keep an eye out for their debut album, ‘Unleash Tha Nyoongars’ which will be released very soon!
Task is a dynamic MC who orginally hails from Alice Springs NT. After moving to Adelaide and learning the ropes as a graffiti artist, the name Task was given life! With groups such as N.W.W, Geto Boys, Public Enemy and BDP in his tape collection, there was never a shortage of inspiration. Task began his obsession with the microphone in 2001 and has studied the game from the inside out ever since.
Artists such as Tech N9ne, Twista, K-RINO, Louis Logic, Funk Oars, Terra Firma and many more continue to lay pavement for Task to demolish throughout his career! With his super-sharp tongue, pin-point accurate delivery, intellectual content and stand-alone charisma it won't be long before this starts happening! Recognition has already been given, as Task took out the 'Best New Talent' award at the 2006 NT Indigenous Music Awards. HE has performed in front of big crowds at 'Bass in the Dust 05', The Official 'White Out' Party at the Rox Nightclub and the 'Out of the Darkness' album release launch, for Task's debut album
Task has set out to make his name echo in the minds of anyone who is lucky enough to be exposed to him. "Task is coming out of the darkness and into the global spotlight!"
The MERRg has a strong connection with the country music scene, occasionally making the long trek to Tamworth to catch up with friends and family. They describe themselves as pop/rock, roots, acoustic, reggae, alternative and country. The MERRg find it difficult to put a finger on any one genre they may fit into, the band feels strongly that this is a good thing, preferring to remain versatile rather than find themselves stuck on one particular groove.
The MERRg already has a high profile in the SA Music scene in the Indigenous community and is huge inroads into non-indigenous community regularly performing at schools, hotels, festivals and will be performing this weekend at the MusicSA “Louder Than Words” showcase. In June they performed at the Dreaming Festival at Woodford.
They managed to make it to the final 5 of the Music OZ’s ATSI section of the 2006 MUSIC OZ unsigned acts awards. We are greatly honoured to have made it this far amongst some fierce competition. Organiser’s have labelled this round as their “toughest yet”.
Warren Milera became interested in music early in life, first playing an acoustic guitar at ten years of age. Growing up he listened to the tapes and records of artists like Charlie Pride, Randy Travis and other classic country singers. Then came the days of sitting around a backyard fire with friends playing the classics or just throwing together some words and making a tune to go with it.
Eventually a young Warren graduated to Karaoke, leading to regular jam sessions at Tandanya Café. It soon became apparent that Warren was bringing in the crowds so much so that he decided to have a go at being a professional musician.
Releasing his debut album "New Light on the Horizon" in 2002, Warren’s career began. Selling 2500 - 3000 copies so far, it has been hailed a success. He began winning a number of awards at state and national levels.
While recording his original brand of country soul, Milera has been up to a bit on the side, working in various Aboriginal Health organisations that aim to work towards the betterment of Indigenous Health. Expanding his repertoire Warren co-hosted the 2007 season of popular television program “The Nunga Lounge”.
Somehow between all this and the work on his albums, Milera has managed to act in four films! As a bouncer in “Sample people” which starred Kylie Minogue, as a Detention centre guard in “Azadi”, as a miner in “Poppy and Dingan” and as a police officer in “Look Both Ways”.
Always on the move doing one thing or another Warren has earned a reputation from observers for always being flat out. Recently finishing filming for the 2007 season of “The Nunga Lounge” Warren has already returned to the studio to continue work on his awaited second album. Though coming a long way from the days of singing around a campfire, Milera still maintains close connections with his grass roots acknowledging that it is fans and supporters who supported him and made it possible for him to get where he is.
It is this honest and open attitude towards his music and career that has made Milera the singer he is today and ensures his loyal fans from all over the country will be there to see him through tomorrow.
I'm a 25 year old Aboriginal (Narungga) Woman, singer/songwriter. I have completed a 3 year Music course at Adelaide University and am starting to perform all around Adelaide. I have performed at the following venues: Festival Theatre, Fad Bar, Botanic Gardens, Flinders University, Adelaide University, TAFE SA, SA Folk Centre, Warra Paringa, Scott Theatre.
From university I found connexion and support I was encouraged and so I was able to find the songs inside. To overcome the barrier of feeling inferior and to learn how to compose, create, write. To learn all aspects of music, to feel confident to let go of my anxiety, to face challenges personal and academic. Meeting my family through CASM and using what I learnt to channel through my music. I performed to an audience trying to change people’s perception. Silence was the first song I wrote at CASM, it is about the stolen generation.
Since being at CASM I have written political songs. I believe there is a huge link and emphasis in the music coming from my heritage that links the pain of life, violence, degradation, the past influences the future, it is heart wrenching but is soul food, it is needed. It fills the whole left inside; I yearn to feel connected to join the cycle of ancestral connection to feel as one.
