INTERVIEW WITH HILLTOP HOODS
MCHH: Time for the introductions, who are the Hilltop Hoods?
SUFFA: Two emcees (Pressure and Suffa) and DJ Debris. We're a hip hop group
from Adelaide, Australia.
Why hip hop? What got you started?
Everyone at our school was wildly into hip hop. There was a strong
scene there made up of graff writers, skaters and freestyle bike
riders. It was just a natural progression at our school to get
involved in hip hop.
What inspires Hilltop to do what you do?
Good music. There's nothing more inspiring than when a banging album
comes out.
For those that aren't familiar, what is the hip hop scene like in Australia?
It's growing. It's definitely a young scene but along with some other
groups we're working on spreading the word.
How would you describe the Australian sound?
Hmmm, I'm not sure that there's any specific common sound (apart from
the accent). But it's probably got a more underground scene than other
countries. The bling era/ice age definitely never hit Australia.
Who are some of the other Australian artists to watch out for?
Vents One, he's a friend of ours and a really talented politically
minded emcee. Also some other friends of ours the 'Funkoars', they
make some really raw hip hop.
You'll be performing in Toronto shortly after doing some shows in
Western Canada. Is this your first time in Canada? How do you like it
here?
It's actually our second time in Canada, but our first time in
Toronto. The tour's been awesome so far, pretty much all sold out with
great feedback so we've had a ball. Canada's a lot like Australia so
when we're over here it feels like home, except cold.
What is your impression of the hip hop scene in Canada from your
experiences so far?
There seems to be a thriving scene here, we've been hooked up with a
lot of Canadian hip hop by the promoter. There's a lot of dope music
here. It can be a bit hard to get in Australia so it's nice to be able
to grab some while we're here.
You recently released "The Hard Road: Restrung" which features the
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. What was it like working with them?
Crazy. Working with an orchestra's an overwhelming experience, just
the sheer power when they're all playing together. The other thing is
how talented they all are, when they pick up their instruments and
play a tune they've never heard before perfectly it blows my mind.
You've got a couple platinum albums and gold album in Australia. To
what do you attribute your success?
It's a lot of factors but it obviously helps to be surrounded by good
people. Good timing and good luck don't hurt either.
What can people expect from you in the future?
We're working on a new album at the moment, we hope to have it out
early next year.
Thanks for taking the time to sit down and answer these questions.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Thanks for having us Canackistan!
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