Following close behind their ARIA win for Best Urban Album in Drinking From The Sun, and ahead of their appearances at this month’s Homebake and Falls Festival at New Year’s, the Hilltop Hoods are once again giving something back to the industry in their grant for emerging Australian hip hop and soul artists.
As detailed on the APRA|AMCOS website, the Adelaide-based trio of Suffa, MC Pressure, and DJ Debris have put together the 2013 Hilltop Hoods Initiative, offering $10,000 to an up and coming hip hop artist or group to help fast track their career. Aimed at funding costs associated with the production and release of an album.
More specifically, the costs associated with manufacturing, marketing and distributing a CD of at least five original songs. Including the artwork, promotion, and mastering of the recording; but the $10,000 cash prize specifically does not cover recording costs, equipment purchases, or merchandise.
The winner of the grant will also receive legal advice courtesy of David Vodika and Media Arts Lawyers, as well as a Shure Microphone prize pack sure to make budding emcees drool.
The judging panel consists of some of Australia’s most influential figures and artists in the hip hop scene, including Koolism’s Hau Latukefu, who also present’s Triple J’s Hip Hop Show; Booking Agent, Promoter, and manager for Def Wish Cast and Dialectrix, Ran-Dee, as well as Graffiti Artist/Community Worker Nish, and Raph – a local artist, owner of Blank Clothing and author Behind The Beat.The 2013 Hilltop Hoods Initiative, offering $10,000 to an up and coming hip hop artist or group to help fast track their career.
Applications for the Hilltop Hoods Initiative open January 15, 2013 and are open to any age, as long as they have not yet released a professional album, are independent, and in the early stages of their music career. Other eligibility criteria include APRA membership, and Australian citizenship (or at least being a legal resident for at least two consecutive years).
Previous recipients of the Hilltop Hoods Initiative include this year’s Sydney-based collective, Run For Your Life, a concoction of underground soul singers and MCs formed by the beatmaking/songwriting production team of J. Smith, Dutch & Syreneyiscreamy. Last year’s winner was African-Australian rapper 1/6 (aka Aaron Stephanus), which helped bankroll his debut solo release and collaborations with noted Australian producer M-Phazes.
Applications will open in early 2013 along with an announcement containing details on how to enter.
