Koolism
Encyclopedia
Koolism is an Australian hip hop
duo originating from Canberra
, Australian Capital Territory
.
The members are lyricist Hau Latukefu (born Langomi-e-Hau Latukefu, 1976, Queanbeyan Australia) and producer/DJ/musician Danielsan Ichiban (born Daniel Elleson, 1975, Auckland
, New Zealand
).
.
The tape caught the attention of Blaze and Dr Phibes who offered to put out their next release on vinyl on their recently formed 'Parallax View' label and in 1998 Lift Ya Game was released. This was followed two years later by the Blue Notes EP and in 2002 they released The Season EP. These last 2 were part of a 4 part series of EPs forming a collage when put together – unfortunately the last two in this series, Butcher Shop and The Epic have never been released as most of the material was stolen during a car break-in while touring in 2004.
2002 saw the duo release the highly anticipated Part 1, their first album on CD, which contained fresh tracks alongside those previously only released on vinyl. This CD release allowed Koolism to expand on their loyal and hugely supportive underground following to cater to a wider, ever-growing fan base. Koolism's commercial existence has also been enhanced by Australia's leading music program, rage
, airing the film clip to "The Season", the title track to their 2002 EP. 2002 also saw Koolism nominated in two categories (Best Hip Hop and Best Video) at that year's Australian Dance Music Awards.
In 2003 the group toured the county relentlessly scoring high praise for their live show. 'These lads have a strong reputation for putting on great live gigs.' JUICE (July 2003) Koolism again received nominations at the 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards, this time in three categories (Best Hip Hop Act,Turntabalist and Remix).
They also managed to find time during their touring schedule to record their third album Part 3 - Random Thoughts
(Part 2 was meant to be the EPs). The album features guest appearances by Rodney P
(UK), Nfamas (1200 Techniques
), and Mnemonic Ascent
and was released in early 2004.
In 2004 Koolism won an ARIA Award for 'Best Urban Release', for their album out on Invada Records, Part 3 - Random Thoughts
. The pair subsequently leaving Canberra with Hau moving north to Sydney and Danielsan heading to Melbourne. In February 2006 Koolism released their third album, New Old Ground
on Invada records.
Koolism were one of the Australian hip hop artists featured in the documentary Words from the City, which aired on ABC Television in late 2007.
In 2008 Koolism signed to Mushroom publishing
On 14 April 2008 Hau took over from Maya Jupiter
as the host of Triple J
's weekly Hip Hop Show
.
Australian hip hop
Australian hip hop music began in the early 1980s; originally it was primarily influenced by hip hop music and culture imported via radio and television from the United States of America. However, since the 1990s, a distinctive local style has developed. Australian hip hop is an underground music...
duo originating from Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
.
The members are lyricist Hau Latukefu (born Langomi-e-Hau Latukefu, 1976, Queanbeyan Australia) and producer/DJ/musician Danielsan Ichiban (born Daniel Elleson, 1975, Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
).
History
Koolism started out in 1992 when Elleson (aka DJ Rampage) joined a group by the name Tribe Ledda L (L for Latukefu), which comprised Hau and his cousins Hounga and Sione. By 1995 only DJ Danielsan and Hau remained and they changed the name to Koolism, from a song with that name which they recorded the previous year. Their first appearance using that name is on the Homebrews Volume 1 compilation. Their first official release, Bedroom Shit came out in 1996 on cassette and was passed around the country from one person to the next – the inspiration for the track "Tapes" on their 2006 album, New Old GroundNew Old Ground
New Old Ground is the third studio album by Australian hip hop act Koolism, released in February 2006 by Invada Records. DJ Danielsan reflects that the album was "about returning to the original raw elements that Koolism was built on and paying homage to the music that inspired us, while still...
.
The tape caught the attention of Blaze and Dr Phibes who offered to put out their next release on vinyl on their recently formed 'Parallax View' label and in 1998 Lift Ya Game was released. This was followed two years later by the Blue Notes EP and in 2002 they released The Season EP. These last 2 were part of a 4 part series of EPs forming a collage when put together – unfortunately the last two in this series, Butcher Shop and The Epic have never been released as most of the material was stolen during a car break-in while touring in 2004.
2002 saw the duo release the highly anticipated Part 1, their first album on CD, which contained fresh tracks alongside those previously only released on vinyl. This CD release allowed Koolism to expand on their loyal and hugely supportive underground following to cater to a wider, ever-growing fan base. Koolism's commercial existence has also been enhanced by Australia's leading music program, rage
Rage (TV program)
Rage is a popular all-night Australian music video program broadcast on ABC1 on Friday nights, Saturday mornings and Saturday nights. It was first screened on the weekend of Friday, 17 April 1987. With Soul Train no longer being produced, it is the oldest music television program currently still...
, airing the film clip to "The Season", the title track to their 2002 EP. 2002 also saw Koolism nominated in two categories (Best Hip Hop and Best Video) at that year's Australian Dance Music Awards.
In 2003 the group toured the county relentlessly scoring high praise for their live show. 'These lads have a strong reputation for putting on great live gigs.' JUICE (July 2003) Koolism again received nominations at the 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards, this time in three categories (Best Hip Hop Act,Turntabalist and Remix).
They also managed to find time during their touring schedule to record their third album Part 3 - Random Thoughts
Random Thoughts (Koolism album)
Part 3 Random Thoughts is a studio album by Australian hip hop artists, Koolism, released 10 May 2004 by Invada Records.The new album features guest appearances from Rodney P , N'fa and BVA & Raph...
(Part 2 was meant to be the EPs). The album features guest appearances by Rodney P
Rodney P
Rodney P is an English MC who entered the UK hip hop scene in the 1980s. He started out as a member of the London Posse, one of the UK's first home grown hip hop acts who were highly influential in the development of the genre. Rodney P has had one of the longest and most respected careers in UK...
(UK), Nfamas (1200 Techniques
1200 Techniques
1200 Techniques were an Australian hip hop group. They formed in 1997 and released two LPs before going on hiatus in 2005.-Biography:The group was formed in 1997, starting out as DJ Peril and brothers Nfamas and Kabba, soon after Peril's brother Kemstar joined and together they wrote many of the...
), and Mnemonic Ascent
Mnemonic Ascent
Mnemonic Ascent is an Australian hip hop group make up of BVA , and Raph Boogie from Adelaide with DJ Ransom from Melbourne. They release their albums through Raph Boogie's Crookneck Records.-Discography:...
and was released in early 2004.
In 2004 Koolism won an ARIA Award for 'Best Urban Release', for their album out on Invada Records, Part 3 - Random Thoughts
Random Thoughts (Koolism album)
Part 3 Random Thoughts is a studio album by Australian hip hop artists, Koolism, released 10 May 2004 by Invada Records.The new album features guest appearances from Rodney P , N'fa and BVA & Raph...
. The pair subsequently leaving Canberra with Hau moving north to Sydney and Danielsan heading to Melbourne. In February 2006 Koolism released their third album, New Old Ground
New Old Ground
New Old Ground is the third studio album by Australian hip hop act Koolism, released in February 2006 by Invada Records. DJ Danielsan reflects that the album was "about returning to the original raw elements that Koolism was built on and paying homage to the music that inspired us, while still...
on Invada records.
Koolism were one of the Australian hip hop artists featured in the documentary Words from the City, which aired on ABC Television in late 2007.
In 2008 Koolism signed to Mushroom publishing
On 14 April 2008 Hau took over from Maya Jupiter
Maya Jupiter
Maya Jupiter is an Australian Rapper & Radio Personality-Biography:Maya was born in La Paz, Mexico. She is of mixed Mexican and Turkish origin...
as the host of Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
's weekly Hip Hop Show
Hip Hop Show
Hip Hop Show is Triple J's show dedicated to hip hop.Broadcast Monday nights 10 pm - 1 am it is hosted by Hau Latukefu. Latukefu replaced Maya Jupiter on 14 April 2008....
.
Albums
- These Front Door Keys (as Tribe Ledda L) (1993)
- Part One - Parallax View (2002)
- Part Three - Random ThoughtsRandom Thoughts (Koolism album)Part 3 Random Thoughts is a studio album by Australian hip hop artists, Koolism, released 10 May 2004 by Invada Records.The new album features guest appearances from Rodney P , N'fa and BVA & Raph...
- Invada Records (2004) - New Old GroundNew Old GroundNew Old Ground is the third studio album by Australian hip hop act Koolism, released in February 2006 by Invada Records. DJ Danielsan reflects that the album was "about returning to the original raw elements that Koolism was built on and paying homage to the music that inspired us, while still...
- Invada Records (20 February 2006) - The 'UmuThe 'UmuThe 'Umu is the forth studio album by Australian hip hop act Koolism, released in September 2010 by Invada Records. The ‘umu is an underground oven used in Polynesian cooking and a nod to MC Hau’s Tongan heritage. Self-deprecation aside, Hau says that the album is "dedicated to the essence of...
- Invada Records (3 September 2010)
EPs/Singles
- Bedroom Shit (Cassette) Independent (1996)
- Lift Ya Game - Parallax View (1998)
- Blue Notes - Parallax View (2000)
- The Season - Parallax View (2002)
- Diverse - Hydrofunk RecordsHydrofunk RecordsHydrofunk Records is an independent Australian hip hop record label that represents a number of Australian acts including the Resin Dogs and Def Wish Cast.-History:...
(2002) - "Tapes" - Invada Records (2006)
Compilation appearances
- Home Brews Volume 1 - MushroomMushroom RecordsMushroom Records is an Australian recoJrd company formed by Michael Gudinski and Ray Evans in Melbourne in 1972. After its sale in 1998, it merged into Festival Mushroom Records. From 2005 to 2009, it is one of the record labels operated by Warner Bros...
/Festival Records (1995) (song: "Extraordinary") - Ice Cream Truck - Volcom Entertainment (2000) (song: "You're Telling Me")
- Speaking In Tongues - StoneGroove Records (2000) (song: "Passionate")
- Swing Tag - Ecko Clothing (2001) (song: "Who the ...")
- Airheads - Parallax View (2001) (song: "Targets", "Couldn't Ask For Less")
- Culture of Kings - Obese Records (2001) (song: "All City")
Guest appearances
- "The Harvest" by Trey (2000)
- "Another World" by Hilltop HoodsHilltop HoodsThe Hilltop Hoods are an ARIA Award winning Australian hip hop group, from Adelaide, South Australia. Their members are MCs Suffa , MC Pressure , DJ Debris and formerly DJ Next. They have been at the centre of the Australian hip hop scene for the better part of two decades, originally forming back...
(2001) - "Barbeque Funk" by Mnemonic Ascent (2002)
- "Passing of Peace" (Danielsan Remix) by KatalystKatalyst (musician)Katalyst is an Australian DJ/Producer. He won awards at the 2002 Australian Dance Music Awards for Best Album and Best Producer.- Biography :...
(2003) - "All Good" by The Morlocks (Featuring Hau and Mr. Wiz) (2005)