UNDA K9 RECORDS AUSTRALIA

UNDA K9 RECORDS

Never did the term “label” seem quite so ironic. In an Australian hip hop scene too often dominated by conservative sounds and aesthetics, Sydney-based label Unda K9 Records defines itself by being just a little less definable than the rest. Hip-hop has always been about the underdog – this is Unda K9 Records.

Founded in 2002 in Crow’s Nest, New South Wales, by flourishing songwriter and producer Lui, Unda K9 Records was intended to be and has steadily become a domicile for artists who, each in their own way, stand apart from the traditional urban soundscape. Providing record production, management and promotion services, Unda K9 Records has developed and built a catalogue of innovative artists under a single banner, creating its own unique sound in the process.

While initially the label’s sound struggled to break onto the airwaves of radio and television despite numerous well-attended shows, Unda K9 Records began to earn widespread national and international attention with the release of the label’s then flagship artist Figgkidd ’s debut album ‘What is Figgkidd?’ And hit lead single ‘I Gotta Know’ featuring US artists Tech N9ne and Red Foo (LMAO) . The single peaked at 11 on the ARIA Urban Chart in 2004 – an almost impossible achievement for local hip hop artists at the time – marking the label’s first of many underdog victories.

Such was the unexpected growing success of ‘What is Figgkidd?’ that, following the merger of Sony and BMG, the album was re-released as ‘This is Figgkidd’ featuring new collaborations with DJ Babu (Dilated Peoples) and the late Proof (D12) , which went on to spawn two more singles. The album represented Unda K9’s growing connections behind the scenes both at home and abroad with Grammy award winning sound engineer Richard ‘Segal’ Huredia (Eminem, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Limp Bizkit , etc.) and music video direction by Fat Pizza’s own Paul ‘Pauly’ Fenech , award-winning American Film Director Spencer Susser and New Zealander Ed Davis . With extensive production from Lui herself, ‘What is Figgkidd?’ also showcased the most tracks by a female producer ever featured on an Australian commercial release.

In 2005, Unda K9 Records established another major landmark when Lui founded Park Jam , the first Australian hip-hop festival, at Luna Park, Sydney. The Park Jam concept was the first to bring together all types of hip hop from underground and commercial spheres including indigenous, alternative and experimental, with headliners such as Digital Underground, Kool Keith & Kutmasta Kurt. The festival was a coup for the Unda K9 philosophy – a philosophy that acknowledges and respects all types of hip hop, whether from Australia, New Zealand or further abroad.

Shortly after the successful re-release of Figgkidd’s debut, Unda K9 Records broke its ties with SonyBmg and set about establishing itself as one of Australia’s leading independent hip hop stables. Teaming up with distribution giant MGM (John Butler Trio, The Waifs, Sneaky Sound System, Tokyo Birds, Beautiful Girls) both the label’s roster and fan base has steadily expanded over time. The first release in the newly made relationship with MGM was the widely anticipated, self-titled follow-up to Figgkidd’s own first album. Figgkidd improved upon the first record’s success, thanks in no small part to the popular first single ‘Feel Good’, which featured the unmistakable vocals of the late great James Brown . The single sold over 5,000 and the album over 10,000 units over 6 months and hovered in the top five throughout December 2007 on the Independent AIR Charts before securing the Number One top spot for two consecutive weeks at the beginning of 2008.

Since 2007, Unda K9 has been developing American raised, Melbourne residing artist Bukkcity , who since signing to the label has won three major independent music awards even before his official debut mini-album release ‘Same Place’ in Jan 2009. Bukkcity’s guest appearance on an Electronica track in 2008 called ‘Come Get It’ with Mark “Chopper” Read , became one of the top 3 ringtone downloads for Mercury Mobility through the ‘3’ mobile network.

Also calling Unda K9 Records home is a very talented diverse collective of artists and DJ’s starting with Tycotic , an upcoming brilliant young emcee from the Central Coast and his label Asylum 57, 13th Son , a gifted seasoned local hip-hop artist who’s third album will change the way we listen to hip-hop/soul electronica, Herb (from Basic Equipment), Syntax (from renowned Brisbane local crew Trace Elements), DirtBox Kings (A collective of well known underground Emcee’s & DJ’s from Sydney) and DJ Crusador (A Melbourne DMC - 3rd place Vic/SA state runner-up) . Six years on, the once upstart of the Australian scene has grown into an award-winning brand, recognised for pushing the limits of musical convention.

These are the artists that continue to build the unique Unda K9 sound that is steadily taking over the airwaves. Of course, no true underdog story would be complete without the underdog coming out on top. For Unda K9 Records, the story so far is just the beginning…

Listed below are the accolades bestowed upon current and previous artists signed to the label.

BUKKCITY:

Winner of the MusicOz Best Urban Award for the single “Nobody Wanted This” (2008)

Winner of the MusicOz Best Urban Award for the song “Days Have Gone” (2007)

Winner of the Nokia Urban Song of The Year for the song “Days Have Gone” (2006)

FIGGKIDD:

Winner of the MusicOz Channel V Video Award for “Feel Good” by Ed Davis (2007)

Nominated for Urban Music Awards for Best Male Artist (2007)

Nominated for Best Hip Hop Single for ‘Feel Good’ (2007)

Winner of the inaugural Urban Music Award for Best New Talent (2006)

Nominated for Urban Music Award Best Hip Hop Album (2006)

Nominated for Urban Music Award Best Male Artist (2006)

Winner of the national “New Artist 2 Radio” (2005)

DJ EKO:

Nominated for Urban Music Award Best Australian DJ (2007)

Nominated for Urban Music Award Best Australian DJ (2006)