Trailblazing Oz Hip-Hop band Downsyde announce their return with their sixth studio album ‘Stereotypez’ and announce a national tour.
For three decades, iconic hip-hop pioneers Downsyde’s music has impacted WA and Australian music culture immensely, kicking open the doors for West Australian hip hop artists on the national scene. Today the renowned trio announce their return to the stage this October and November when they embark on a national headline tour supporting their sixth studio album ‘Stereotypez’ due on Friday 11 October via OptShop/MGM to celebrate the band’s 30th anniversary!
With five acclaimed albums under their belt, the trio have collected a stack of awards including Australian Dance Music Awards Best Debut Artist, multiple WAM awards for Best Urban Music / Hip-Hop Act and Most Popular Local Original Album along the way, and have toured nationally and internationally numerous times, including having supported the likes of The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, Jurassic 5, Cypress Hill, The Black Eyed Peas and Public Enemy, gaining Chuck D as a huge fan along the way.
In April 2019, the trio commenced with the old skool approach to teasing out an album, the band dropped their new single Odds, the first record featuring Beni Bjah, followed by Call featuring James Abberley and First Nations Fire Management Practitioner Victor Steffensen, seeing the track added to rotation on Double J. Winding Road, the next taste came a little sooner in 2022, coupled with a performance at the Perth Festival as part of Flewnt’s Boorloo Block Party. Hot on the heels of Winding Road, came Po’ Boy, a collaboration with Harts and a fresh take on Howling Wolf’s Poor Boy. This was part of the Chess Records tribute album ‘Everybody Knows I’m Here’.
“This album is a labour of love, an ode to our diehard fans and the new school Downsydians,” ….. “Daz and I experimented production wise with the MPC and live instruments plus having Beni join the crew has brought about a new era. We teamed up with James Abberley and Matty Gresham on a couple of tracks, plus the usual Syllabolix suspects and a bunch of talented musos. It’s raw, it’s real, and we can’t wait for the crew to hear it,” explains Optamus.
After releasing a cassette and three full-length albums, after 2009’s ‘All City’, album release the group took some time off to work on side projects. Dazastah produced for and toured with Drapht and produced for A.B. Original. Optamus released a solo album and ran hip hop workshops in regional Indigenous communities, prisons and schools and snagged himself a nomination for a golden WAMi aka West Australian Music Award for services to the industry.
After an eight year hiatus, the collective returned in 2017 with the release of their fifth album ‘ClassicILL’. The album was launched at The Rosemount Hotel in Perth with another launch at Acacea Prison, followed by national dates and festival appearances. At the start of 2018, the band announced the addition of Beni Bjah, the first indigenous song writer to win the WAM “Song of the Year” top prize, while original member Shabaz took a break to focus on family.
Fast forward to 2024 and Optamus, Dazastah and Beni Bjah are finally ready to drop their banging 13-track LP ‘Stereotypez’ featuring a slew of collaborations with some of Australia’s best hip hop talent. Known for their groundbreaking energetic and electrifying performances, Downsyde are set to light up stages nationwide with SBX representatives and local artists in each state to be announced!
‘Stereotypez’ is a powerful blend of sound and stories crafted over three years. Recorded in secluded spots around WA including Exmouth in the Kimberley region, a quirky house in Fremantle and Optamus’ back shed/hit factory/laboratory the Opt Shop. The record marks a new era, with live instruments, including Dazastah on Dilla-esque drums and a haunting harpsicle, adding fresh depth to their classic bangers. New member Beni Bjah and the OG Shabaz bring fresh fire, especially on the New York-inspired track Walkaway. With its raw energy, social justice themes, and unmistakable Downsyde grit, ‘Stereotypez’ is the perfect soundtrack for any occasion.
Get ready to move and celebrate the unstoppable legacy of these underground kings.
‘Stereotypez’ Album Tour 2024
Saturday 12 October – Can You Keep A Secret, Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 19 October – Laundry Bar, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 2 November – Northern Sound System, Adelaide, SA
Saturday 9 November – Republic Bar, Hobart, TAS
Saturday 30 November – Mojo’s, Fremantle WA
‘Stereotypez’ will be released on Friday 11 October via OptShop/MGM
With thanks to This Much Talent
