Your Guide To The 2017 SAM Awards Hip Hop Nominees

10 August 2017 | 12:31 am | Staff Writer

3SIDEZ

3SIDEZ is an Adelaide-based rapper and MC who is dedicated to working on his craft and creating a positive movement. He has supported big name acts Will Sparks, Timmy Trumpet, Kronic, Krunk, Dimatik, Slumberjack, Tigerlily and more.

AB Original

AB Original is the collaboration between Briggs and Trials. Since releasing Reclaim Australia, AB Original have scored a wealth of praise, including five AIR Awards last month.

Akeim Takamura & AJAKS

Akeim Takamura is one of Adelaide's most promising new acts. He's young but producing beats faster than fans can keep up with.

Alter Native

Alter Native is 20 with a heart full of ambition and potential. C.I.T.Y is off his first mixtape, Saturn Satellites, and captures his essence perfectly.

daydream Fever

Daydream Fever is the latest incarnation from Adelaide artist Kultar Ahluwalia. Having achieved previous success as hip hop artist Koolta (including 2016 Most Popular Hip Hop Artist SA Music Awards, Clipsal 500 Bands On Track Winner 2015) Daydream Fever is an evolution in sound, genrebending from hip hop to punk to electronica. Ahluwalia is at the helm of all these sounds handling production, instrumentation, songwriting and vocals.

DC & Dragz

Party enthusiasts DC & DRAGZ live life with their eyes on the silver lining. Seeing each day as a fruity opportunity to squeeze every last drop out of life.

DyspOra

DyspOra is a hip hop recording artist/producer, poet, sonic activist and founder of Playback 808. The nomadic troubadour was born in South Sudan and raised across various locations in East Africa until his family migrated to Adelaide. Music became a key tool in breaking down cultural, lingual and racial barriers throughout DyspOra's life journey and experience. Known for his Versatility, sonic activism and dynamic lyrical abilities.

ELK

Samuel Elkhier is a 17-year-old African-Australian rapper and songwriter better known as ELK. The son of South Sudanese parents, he was born in Khartoum and raised in Egypt before moving to Adelaide at the age of six. The gifted musician brings limitless depth to the music industry through his knowledge, awareness and introspective ability to absorb and poetically document his often shifting surroundings.

Eman

Emmanuel Deng, also known as Eman, is the co-founder and president of Playback 808. Eman is known for his versatile flows, electric energy and lyrical wordplay. Inspired by Cassidy and Eminem, his love for hip hop grew throughout his teen years and he found a strong passion for recording music at the age of 16 after watching Smack DVD freestyle battles.

Hinkey The Snail

SInce forming in 2011, Hinkey The Snail have gained popularity for their comedic homemade music videos and the energetic live performances of their songs.

KTK TheRapper

KTK TheRapper is a independent hip hop artist from Adelaide who uses music to motivate the youth and also likes to convey meaningful experiences through beats.

Marcus McFly

Marcus McFly began making hip hop music in 2009 at the age of 15, rhyming over Mobb Deep instrumentals. Now, at 23, he's working on his debut LP, while also helping to run youth music programs in Adelaide's North, striving to teach the young ones in the neighbourhood what Hip-Hop's really about.

Phat Jamie

Phat Jamie is pushing the barriers of hip hop to the limit with a mix of smooth vocals, technically sound raps and more.

Playback 808

Playback 808 is an Adelaide-based independent record label and multifaceted creative movement. Founded in 2011 by Gabriel Akon, the imprint is home to some of the best rappers and lyricists in the Australian underground scene including DyspOra, Eman, ELK, NeSs, AJAK, Majiik, and Lord Levi. The talent heavy sonic emporium produces an eclectic mix of hip-hop, rhythm & blues, and neo-soul music from their headquarters down under.