A story worth telling does not unfold by itself, and so with open mind and gifted pen, Illy’s Long Story Short is ready to hit the masses and promises to maintain the benchmark standard set by his new label home, Obese Records. Long Story Short is a tale about falling in and out of love with people, places, family, friendship, hip-hop, and travelling the world, a serious hospital scare and the ensuing long road to recovery. All shaped by the unique privilege of growing up Australian.
Long Story Short opens with “Generation Y,” a politically driven ode to the power of those whose days as the underdog are numbered. An anthemic opening number powered by M-Phazes’ production work. And these are not plain beats coupled with lyrics complex for their own sake, but rather some of the best produced hip-hop beats in the country, with lyrics that, even when simple in delivery, maintain a complexity of message.
From the rolling drums and synthesizer-driven pop lean of “Pictures” to the booming bass and razor guitars of “Rock Star Shit,” there is a rare depth and diversity to the textures of the album. There’s the summer-inspired sing-a-along “Full Tank”, an open road tribute to the free spirit of mateship and travelling, and there’s the solemn turn in the album’s last-minute addition of “Our Country” (a salute to the Australian spirit written days after Black Saturday).
Illy enlists the help of fellow Crooked Eye crew member M-Phazes (producer of Bliss n Eso’s Flying Colours) and Jackson Jackson’s J-Skub (Phrase’s Clockwork) for the bulk of the album, with stellar contributions from up and comers J-Squared and Ta-Ku. The friendship extends to the album’s guest performers, boasting collaborations with Pegz (“Black Cap Rap”), Spit Syndicate and Solo (“Red Light/Green Light”) and Phrase and N’Fa (“For You”). It is a compelling collection that embodies the spirit and scope of Australian hip hop, the opening chapter of a promising fable.
illy - wanna be in the Pictures Vid?!'s Friend Space (Top 12)
illy - wanna be in the Pictures Vid?! has 2497 friends.
Yeh man, its awesome!! Nothing bt great things about ur shows, thats why im dying to catch one!! haha! Im coming to see ya at Geelong dec 12th!! Ill try and say what up then! stay up n keep bringing that intensity bro!!
Heya, apologies for the business like message, I'm a lover not a spammer, but I'm swinging around my friends pages letting people know my album Inkstains is *finally* dropping next week (November the 27th) in stores and online via iTunes. To celebrate the launch date I'm streaming the entire thing online from my Myspace exclusively for the next week, so if you're curious to give it a listen then I would really appreciate you taking a few minutes to drop by and check it out.
Presuming that for some insane reason you love it and can't be without the CD a moment longer I'm running signed pre-orders through JB HI-FI. These aren't going for long so if you want a piece of the action swing by http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/music/urban-grooves/inkstains/470165 and cop it
WADDUP ILLY!! BEEN HEARING ALOT OF POSITIVE FEEDBACK ABOUT UR SHOWS! CANT WAIT TO CHECK A SHOW OUT SOON!! STAY UP AND CHECK OUT MY PAGE IF YA GET A CHANCE! PZ ~hOWDY
unfortunately i didnt discover u til after brissy's block party... :( so i'll b watchin this spot for the next brissy date!!!! better b soon we're havin withdrawals up here lol
New track up on the page taken from Fluent Form's latest release The Furnace feat Maundz and Fatty Phew Come check out that good ol Melbourne hip hop peace
