Downsyde

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Downsyde
Origin Perth
Country Australia
Years active 1996–present
Genres Australian Hip-Hop
Labels Virgin/Hydrofunk
Obese Records
Members Optamus
Dazastah
Dyna-Mikes
DJ Armee
Cheeky
Salvatore
Website(s) Official Downsyde Website

Downsyde are a Australian hip hop group from Perth, Western Australia. The group comprises of six members, Optamus, Dazastah, Dyna-Mikes, DJ Armee, Cheeky (bass player) and Salvatore(drums). They are all members of the Syllaboliks Crew, which comprises of fellow Australian hip hop artists from Perth. Downsyde is currently signed to the Obese Records record label.

Contents

[edit] History

Downsyde started as a MC trio in 1996 (at the average age 16), way before global music and fashion corporations began blasting youth culture with soulless and destructive interpretations of hip-hop music, art, culture and style. For seven years Optamus, Dazastah and Dyna-Mikes have produced beats and rhymes and rocked it at hundreds of gigs, parties & MC battles culminating in the release in September 2000 of their underground classic Eponimous album... a release of recordings made by the band between 1996-2000. Along the way they met deck wonder-kid DJ Armee, percussion black belt Salvatore (ex-Beaverloop) and the ever fruity Cheeky on keys, loops & samples to complete their growth into a full songwriting and performing band unit. As an independent release the group did not receive much publicity from their debut album, nor from their first single, "Gifted Life", which was released two years later.

The big breakthrough came in 2003 with the release of their second album, Land of the Giants, in particular the hit track "El Questro". Inspiration is always easy to find for Downsyde with Middle Eastern, Aboriginal, Aussie, South American, Asian and European roots all represented within the ranks. This diversity is displayed both within and through the cuts on Land of the Giants which effortlessly shifts between beef, battle and party without losing its distinctive flavour.

With their popularity rising, Downsyde went on tour, putting on shows in all of Australia's capital cities. They performed alongside some of hip hop's heavyweights, including Jurassic 5, Cypress Hill, Grandmaster Flash, Black Eyed Peas, Naughty By Nature, Spearhead, Hilltop Hoods, Resin Dogs, Mark B, Koolism.

The band then signed with Obese Records cementing their existing and long term mutual respect and friendship with the crew at Obese Records.

In 2004, the group released their second single, "Lesfortunate" and followed this up with their third album in December, When The Dust Settles. The album was immensely popular within Australia, and in it, Downsyde tackled issues such as greed, love, sex, drugs and power with unashamed honesty. The album featured special guest appearances from Layla, Drapht, Hunter, MJ, Porsah Laine, Loius Slipperz and Paula.

The group are currently recording their fourth album (as yet untitled) which will be released in early 2007.

[edit] Style

Downsyde's music is derived from a combination of regular hip hop beats, as well as Middle Eastern, Aboriginal, South American sounds. Unlike most hip hop groups, Downsyde uses live instruments played by Cheeky (bass) and Catastrophe(drums). They also use digital music to incorporate salsa flutes, middle eastern organs and orchestral strings into their music. Their influences have come from artists such as N.W.A., Nas, DJ Q-bert, Dynamite MC and DJ Craze.

[edit] Members

  • Optamus - MC
  • Dazastah - MC
  • Dyna-mikes - MC
  • Armee - decks
  • Salvatore - drums/percussion
  • Cheeky - sampler/keys

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Singles

[edit] Awards/Nominations

  • 2006 WAMi Awards - Winner - Best Urban Music Act
  • 2005 WAMi Awards - Winner - Best Urban Music Act
  • 2005 WAMi Awards - Winner - Best Live Electronic Act
  • 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards Nominee - Best Album - Land of the Giants
  • 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards Nominee - Best Single - "Gifted Life"
  • 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards Nominee - Best Australian Hip Hop Act
  • 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards Nominee - Best Debut Artist
  • 2003 WAMi Awards - Winner - Most Popular Original Local Album - Land of the Giants
  • 2003 WAMi Awards - Winner - Most Popular Local Original Music Video - "El Questro"
  • 2003 WAMi Awards - Winner - Most Popular Local Original Urban Music Act
  • 2002 Australian Dance Music Awards Nominee - Best Australian Hip-Hop act

[edit] Major Event Appearances

[edit] External links

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