Hip-hop pioneers are back

One of the groups responsible for establishing Australian hip-hop in the music industry is returning to Bunbury for a one-off, free show tomorrow night after an eight-year hiatus.

Perth-based group Downsyde, consisting of Scott Griffths, Shahbaz Rind and Darren Reutens, formed for a talent quest at Craigie Senior High School back in 1996 when the trio were in Year 11.

Since then, the group has released six albums and is part of the Syllabolix crew, which includes other big name acts Drapht, Layla, Mortar, Bitter Belief, Mr Grevis, Emjay and more.

This tour will be a “comeback” for the group, which disbanded after the tragic loss of friend and fellow Syllabolix crew member, MC Hunter, coupled with the fatigue fame brings.

“We have grown up in front of the spotlight, touring, recording, free-styling at parties and having the times of our life, but we got to the point where we were burnt out,” Griffths said.

“I think coming back we have a new found hype and drive to live in the moment and write about our experiences.”

The group will be touring its new albumClassicILL , which is a representation of its musical influences from boom bap to trap and grime.

“I think it is all about us, we helped establish Australian hip-hop as an entity in the music industry and we proudly use those experiences to write engaging and interesting music,” Rind said.

The album’s singleOnly Got Now charted at No. 12 on the Itunes Urban Charts in it’s first week of release and received positive reviews after its debut on Triple J.

“It gives us a lot of motivation to know our fans are still out there and want to hear and see more,” Rind said.

Downsyde promise to deliver a “crazy, intense and world renowned” show as a thank you to supportive fans new and old.

“This show is a moment in time; it will be talked about at parties, online and in your backyards for years to come,” Reutens said.

Downsyde will be performing at the Highway Hotel alongside a line-up of Bunbury acts.