The Tongue Splits From Elefant Traks To Go In 'New Direction'

Sydney hip hop artist The Tongue has officially announced he is moving on from renowned local label Elefant Traks to move into a "new direction" and that all future music will be released on his SoundCloud and Bandcamp pages.

Taking to Facebook on Tuesday to announce the news, the MC assured his fans that there is no bad blood between himself and the label who released all of his studio albums, including debut offering Shock & Awe back in 2007.

"Sometimes record labels and artists have to go their separate ways. This is one of those times," The Tongue's statement reads.

"I truly love Elefant Traks and all that it stands for. The people behind the label helped make my dreams come true and created many opportunities for me. They invested money in me whilst they had struggles of their own. They put in a lot of unpaid overtime.

"They helped me share six releases over the last decade and set me off on an adventure that has taken me around Australia, to performing at the Sydney Opera House, in Cambodia, at a sold out Luna Park, at a thousand festivals, opening for the likes of Public Enemy/Ghostface Killah/Dizzie Rascal etc and too many other amazing moments to name. Nothing can change that history. Its been my life's work and its something I'm very proud of.

"I celebrate this every day but now feel the need to continue as my own man, entirely responsible for my own success and/or shortcomings."

The Tongue added that he will not be taking part in Elefant Traks' 18th birthday party this December, but that all of his already-released music, including his latest LP, Hard Feelings (released in November last year) will still be available through the label.

"Support the label that supported me," his statement concludes. 

"It's all love, just a new direction."

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