Sydney Hip Hop events August 2014

Another month chock full of awesome hip hop. If you're bored in this city then you're not paying attention. Lots of free events too, you don't have to spend a fortune to support the local scene, sometimes just being there is enough!

Friday 1st 

Freshly Squeezed Fridays
P-Smurf over at Big Village is bringing Freshly Squeezed back (finally!) and it's now monthly! It will be held on the first Friday of every month, and to kick start it right, this first one back will be MASSIVE. The lineup includes but is not limited to... straight outta Melbourne 1/6, the young and hugely talented fast spitter from Adelaide-Dialect, Soul Benefits legends from Western Sydney, up and coming inner west star- Billy Green, 19 year old -Prospecta, the witty and beautiful Canberra ladies- Coda Conduct, plus more!!
DJ Maniak on the decks, hosted by P Smurf and Rivals
The Lansdowne Hotel, Broadway
From 730
$5 on the door




Beatdown 2014
Presented by D2MG which is the hip hop society of the University of NSW. They represent all elements of hip hop. D2MG stands for Dance, DJ, MC, and Graffiti. This is an all styles dance battle, first place winner will take home $100. Also performances by DJ Naiki and MC Bass
Redfern Community Centre, Redfern
5-830pm
On the day registration $10, audience $5

Saturday 2nd

Rokelite Party
A great night of underground hip hop at a boutique hip hop themed bar close to transport. 
Lineup includes: Gabriel, That Guy Dave, Savilian, and Verbal Mechanics + more.
Hustle and Flow Bar, Redfern
7pm-late
Free

Halfway Crooks
This is a monthly hip hop party that has been running for more than 5 years.  Founded by 3 DJ friends- Levins, Captain Franco, and Elston each with a specialty in East coast, West coast, and Southern rap bangers. This is a night for people who like to party hard. Special guest DJ Mike Who of Stolen Records on FBi radio. Get in early for drink specials.
Phoenix, Darlinghurst
9pm-late
$10 on the door

Beastside
This massive six member hip hop group (5 emcees and a DJ) are hosting a party you're not likely to forget soon for the launch of their third mixtape, "Fixtape Vol. 3." Backing them up will be the wild styles of Crochet Crooks and the luscious stoner raps of Deadbeat and Hazy.  But that's not all.... This will all be part of the larger Wasted Years party that goes down at Q Bar every Saturday night.  It's like a house party at the club. There will be 7 acts and 9 DJs across 3 rooms. PLUS video games, a mini skate ramp, pool and ping pong, food and drink specials.  And the best part is, you don't even have to clean up vomit after!
Q Bar, Darlinghurst
9pm-late
$15 on the door


Saturday 16th

Bone Thugs N Harmony
One of the most popular hip hop groups of all time has huge love for Australia. With over 50 sold out show in all cities in Australia since 2010, you would think we will start claiming them as our own soon.  This year they are back for "The Life Down Under" tour where they will hit a large number of Australian cities and towns as they cruise through in their tour bus. Word is they will also be opening Australia's first Bone Thugs retail outlet in Sydney when they arrive.
The Tattersall Hotel, Penrith
Doors 8pm
Tickets $50

Other shows
Sunday 17th
The Roller Den (Imperial Hotel), Erskinville
Doors
Tickets
Wednesday 20th
Baroque Nightclub, Katoomba
Doors
Tickets


Thursday 7th

DMC Australia NSW final
The DMC World Championships is the most prestigious DJ competition in the world. Though no one from Australia has won yet, this could always be the year! We're keeping that spirit alive here for the NSW finals. If you want to get actively involved you can STILL enter! Check out the entry procedure here. I hope to see a lot of you out for this night. Keep the spirit of competition and the spirit of hip hop alive by supporting all the elements.
Play Bar, Surry Hills
8pm-midnight
$15 on the door

Loose Change
The west and inner west connect when Western Sydney Hip Hop night hosts this Big Village trio for an awesome night of boom bap inspired hip hop from lyricists Ellesquire and Rapaport and master beatmaker P- Major. Be sure to catch great hip hop every Thursday at this venue.
Tattersall Hotel, Penrith
9pm-late
Free

Deadbeat and Hazy
In anticipation of their soon to be released EP, Ghosts, DBH will have one last blow out before their release party, which is yet at an undisclosed location. Look out for them dropping a video for their new single this day as well.  Also performing on the night are Sleepwalkers and subsketch.
Forresters Hotel, Surry Hills
8pm-late
Free

Friday 8th

True Vibenation
A treat to the ear, and a delight to watch as well, you can't help but have fun with these guys in their interactive set. True Vibe won't be stuck in one genre.  Though their raps are tight, they are heavily influenced by African music, jazz, soul, reggae, and all kinds. The live horns really add something special to their set. They are the lovable misfits, completely different even from their Big Village label mates.  They have been steadily pumping out the music for the last 3 years.  This tour is in celebration of their new album,"On" released late last month and though I haven't had the pleasure listening yet. I've heard that they have really come into their own on this one, it's their best work yet.
Newtown Socialclub, Newtown
Doors 7pm
Tickets $15

Saturday 9th

Gulity Simpson and Katalyst
Stone's Throw Records is proud to present their newest cross continental collaboration. They have previously worked together on the project Quakers which was a collaborative effort between 35 artists. The combination of the native Detroit emcee Guilty and Sydney producer Katalyst really stuck and the pair have come together again to work on a full length album. Ahead of it's release in early 2015 Katalyst and Guilty will tour the country showing us some of their classic tracks as well preview new tracks from the album.
Local supports Hau, Mr. Clean, and DJ Mike Who
The Basement, Circular Quay
Doors 8pm
Tickets $24




The 45 Sessions
Monthly DJ night run by Funkdafied celebrating a love of the 45. The night was originally started by DJ Platurn in Oakland California.  The Australian audience has taken to it nicely, especially at its new home, the meeting place for lovers of hip hop, Play Bar. Lineup: Huwston, Makoto, DJ Soup, Krystel Diola, JC, and Benny Hinn
Play Bar, Surry Hills
6pm-midnight
Free

Sunday 10th

Howlin' Beats Hip Hop, funk, and soul from Sydney's DJ of 25 years DJ Wolfe.
Beach Road Hotel, Bondi
3-6pm
Free

Wednesday 13th

Presentation Night
It came from Melbourne, and it's basically a night to talk shit about football, music, and life! I'm not that into football so it sounds boring as fuck to me.. haha but I know a lot of you will be into it! This is the first time in Sydney and it's starring Jude Bolton (Sydney Swans) and our hip hop element- Urthboy (Elefant Traks). If you're a fan of one or both it will be interesting to hear their thoughts on the similarities and differences between work in music and football. Should be a fun and friendly chat with audience participation.
Vic on the Park, Marrickville
Starts 730pm
Tickets $23.50

Thursday 14th 

Lady and the Amp
This is bound to be an all lady extravaganza! Here's a space where the talented local ladies will be sure to shine. Not only does it include hip hop and spoken word, but there will be poetry, comedy, and jazz singers to boot. Line up : Dawn Laird (the superstar emcee who not only writes her own rhymes but makes the beats as well),  Inês (the beautiful jazz singer who belts out the tunes every Friday night for Jazz Hip Hop Freestyle Sessions), Eunice Andrada (poetry, spoken word), Coda Conduct (the fast rhyming, politic talking Canberra hotties), Little Haus (singer), Cait Johnson (comedian), Rachel Calleja (poet).
The Record Crate, Glebe
8pm
Free

Bam Bam
Hip hop Thursdays out west- first stop on Bam Bam's "the better man" tour. With Electric Elements Crew, DJ Victor Lopez and special guests
Tattersall Hotel, Penrith
9pm-late
Free

Friday 15th 

Cypher
At the moment this is the only regular hip hop night consistently holding it down on the north shore.
This is a night for underground hip hop to shine and of course true to the name includes a cypher at the end with some of Sydney's finest emcees. This month: Electric Elements Crew, Decypher Us, Coming in Sideways, and Chaotic Methods. DJs: 2Face, Akunu, 26th Letter, and Tubz. Drink specials, prize giveaways, and a full night of quality hip hop. Surly it's worth the effort to get across the harbour.
BRKLYN Bar, Manly
8pm-late
Free

Plainjane Party
In honour of Savillion's mixtape "Plainjane" which was released earlier this year he has gathered together all the acts which featured on or played a part in it.
lineup: Savilion, Harjot Singh, Woon Crew, Talakai, Gabriel, and Juxta
Spectrum, Darlinghurst
8pm-late
$10


Wednesday 20th

Hip Hop Karaoke
It's back!! Everyone loves busting out their favourite hip hop track in front of friends! If you're going to be at the snow, or you were planning a trip their soon this will be a great bonus.  There will also be an AVDJ set by VJ Spook and of course it's hosted by everyone's favourite funny guy- Randee.
Beach Burrito, Jindabyne
7pm-late
Free

Thursday 21st

Planet Crushers
Somewhat known as mysterious renegades, PC are known to have influenced many important hip hop groups in Sydney as they were coming up- named True Vibenation, Reverse Polarities, and L-FRESH the LION. They never have released an album, and the songs that are kicking around are not the kind you would show your mum.  But they have been resurrected in order to be a platform to showcase local talent as well as dropping lyrical wisdom.  Be sure to check them out to see what special guests they have along with them this time.
Tattersall Hotel, Penrith
9pm-late
Free



Street Uni Clothing Launch
Official ribbon cutting for the new street uni label! Performances by (emcees, djs, graff artists and bboys): Jah Tung, Mistery, Esky, Zehrish, Nive, Amos, Khoda, BBoy Sony, the Pioneers, DJ MK-1 and MUCH more!! Also there will be a T-shirt auction and FREE food!! That's right!
The Street Uni, Liverpool
4-9pm
Free

Friday 22nd

Rise Book Launch Tour

For the last 2 years, photographer Michelle Grace Hunder has been quietly travelling the country and documenting as many Australian hip hop acts as she can.  The result is a beautiful photography book, Rise, which includes 118 portraits of 182 Australian hip hop artists.  From pioneers of the scene like Def Wish Cast to those just starting out on their journey like Allday, from 360 to L-FRESH the LION she's got the whole scene covered.  By no means is it a completely comprehensive list of hip hop artists in Australia, but being the first ever book of this subject matter it's a solid effort! To celebrate the release Michelle is bringing some friends on the road with her. The all star line up includes: Remi, Briggs, Mantra, Grey Ghost, Dylan Joel, Flagrant, Jaytee, Sensible J, and Mistress of Ceremony.  As an added bonus the Rise Cypher will include special guests from each city.
Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst
Doors 8pm
Tickets $27.55

Saturday 23rd

Quiet Storm
It's starting early so you can get in a whole afternoon of some of Sydney's finest emcees and DJs.
Monchichi, Dondata, Mic Pompeii, Mr Clean
The Garden Bar, Enmore
4-11pm
Free

Wednesday 27th

Speech Therapy
This is a night to get up close and personal with some of your favourite emcees.  This is an anything goes spoken word, poetry, and stories night. See what happens when you take out the beats, the screaming crowds, and the showmanship- it's always something special and unique. This month we will be joined by a young QLD emcee by the name of Mr Hill, hip hop legend Brad Strut of Lyrical Commision, and the hip hop poet Luka Lesson.
The Work-Shop, Redfern
730-1130pm
Tickets $20

Friday 29th

Vent
A great monthly night to get out and support the local underground scene. Very friendly and supportive atmosphere with great people. Hosted by Izzy (of Izzy and the Profit) and DJ Maniak; there is always an open mic cypher at the end of the night, fun for emcees of any skill level to show off/ practice in a supportive environment. This month's line up: Lee Monro x Ello C, Nhostic & DJ Riley, 612, Riff MC, D. Minor
Valve Bar (upstairs Agincourt Hotel), Ultimo
9pm-late
$10 (on the door)
 
Saturday 30th

Daily Meds
Part time political activists and full time local legends, Daily Meds, consists of 3 of the dopest emcees Sydey has to offer- Mikoen, P. Smurf, and Billie Rose. Their skills combined with Roleo's keen ear for making a heavy, powerful, and bass driven beat, is the reason this group has risen quickly through the hip hop ranks. Daily Meds manage to create music that simultaneously makes you want to start a riot that leads right to the prime minister's door and dance your ass off.  Their new single "Behind the Radar" is even bigger and more dance worthy than anything they have put out before it.  It's the first taste of their yet untitled second album, and if it's anything to go by this one will be one to watch out for! Peep the new single here.
Supported by Beat Thieves- a new Sydney crew with only one thought on their minds- rapping nonstop. In order to achieve this they must thieve! Beatmakers just can't make beats fast enough to please these 3 hungry emcees- EaRelevant, Semantic, and DLB.
Newtown Social Club, Newtown
8pm-late
Tickets $15 (presale) and $20 on the door

The Chop
This is a monthly night meant to celebrate an aspect of hip hop that is not often in the limelight- it's for the beatmakers.  This is to show appreciation for anyone banging out beats in their bedrooms, putting in all those long sleepless nights chained to the computer and the mpc. But this isn't just a listening party- it's a live show. This month's beat jounreys will be brought to you by: Tigermouth (Melb), Monastry, and Audient.  DJ sets by Raine Supreme and Benny Hinn
Play Bar, Surry Hills
6pm-midnight
Free

La Coka Nostra
The hip hop supergroup made up of Danny Boy, DJ Lethal, Ill Bill, and Slain. Their style is raw, gritty, and in your face. They touch on subjects from politics and terrorism to raising a child and dealing with death. It will be a night of real and raw hip hop.  The Sydney show supports are Smacktown and Carnage Kings plus more to be announced!
The Factory Theatre, Marrickville
Doors 8pm
Tickets $60

This is by far not all, check back soon for regular updates! Get in contact if you want me to add anything.

Peace my lovelies! xx