Hilltop Hoods

The Hilltop Hoods are Australia's highest selling hip-hop act.

Suffa and Pressure, from Blackwood a south-eastern suburb in the hills of Adelaide, met in the early 1990's while attending high school. Inspired by American artists KRS-One, Eric B and Rakim, Gang Starr and Public Enemy they decided to reflect their own lives through hip-hop. On the suggestion of a local rapper they recognized their local environment by naming themselves the Hilltop Hoods.

In the early days they were joined by DJ Next providing the scratches and to compete in local DJ competitions. When Next decided to pursue a different career path and moved interstate, through a mutual friend they teamed up with DJ Debris and formed the core that has been Hilltop Hoods ever since. From the beginning the Hoods made a conscious decision to represent their world, and distinguished themselves through the use of broad Australian accents.

Performing their rhymes over beats that draw from funk, jazz and soul Hilltop Hoods' appeal spread beyond hip-hop's underground, finding favour also with rock and dance fans. They have spread the word through a rigorous touring schedule which also sees them universally recognized as one of Australia's best live acts.

Hilltop Hoods' independently released third album 'The Calling' - featuring a guest appearance from Next - became the first Australian hip-hop album to achieve gold status and achieved international recognition. In April 2006, after two years on and off in the studio, they released 'The Hard Road' and entered the national charts at No.1, the first Australian hip hop album to reach the top.

In May 2007, the Hoods released 'The Hard Road Restrung' which is a remix of their previous album The Hard Road featuring the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Okwerdz. It also includes an unheard bonus track. They toured the United Kingdom with a Sydney based string quartet.

The Hilltop Hoods have developed a music initiative which recognises the important role the South Australian government has played in their career. The initiative consists of a grant of up to $3000.00 which is put towards manufacture and distribution of a recording. In addition to the grant money there is also two mentorship sessions with manager PJ Murton.

In August 2008 the Hilltop Hoods left Obese Records to form their own label. Golden Era Record ahead of the band's fifth album 'State Of The Art'. which achived No.1 status on release.