DOWNSYDE

(Redirected from Optamus)

'Downsyde' are an Australian hip hop group from Perth, Western Australia. The group comprises six members, 'Optamus', 'Dazastah', 'Dyna-Mikes', 'DJ Armee', 'Cheeky' (bass player) and 'Hi-Hat' (drums). They are all members of the Syllaboliks Crew, which comprises fellow Australian hip hop artists from Perth.

Contents

History

Style

Members

Discography

Albums

Singles

Awards/Nominations

Major Event Appearances

External links

History

'Downsyde' started as a MC trio in 1996 and for seven years Optamus, Dazastah and Dyna-Mikes have produced beats and rhymes and played at hundreds of gigs, parties & MC battles culminating in the release in September 2000 of their debut album, ''Eponimous'', a release of recordings made by the band between 1996-2000. Along the way they met DJ Armee, percussionist Salvatore (ex-Beaverloop) and Cheeky on keyboards, loops & samples. As an independent release the group did not receive much publicity from their debut album, nor from their first single, "Gifted Life", which was released two years later.
The big breakthrough came in 2003 with the release of their second album, ''Land of the Giants'', in particular the hit track "El Questro". Downsyde is a diverse act with Middle Eastern, Aboriginal, Aussie, South American, Asian and European roots all represented within the ranks. This diversity is displayed both within and through the tracks on ''Land of the Giants''.
Downsyde went on tour, putting on shows in all of Australia's capital cities. They performed alongside some of hip hop's heavyweights, including Jurassic 5, Cypress Hill, Grandmaster Flash, Black Eyed Peas, Naughty By Nature, Spearhead, Hilltop Hoods, Resin Dogs, Mark B, Koolism, Pendulum and The Roots. The band also performed at a number of major festivals, including Big Day Out nationally in 2003 and 2004, Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Homebake and the East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival. The band then signed with Obese Records.
In 2004, the group released the single, "Lesfortunate" and followed this up with their third album in December, ''When The Dust Settles''. The album tackled issues such as greed, love, sex, drugs and power. The album featured special guest appearances from Layla, Drapht, Hunter, MJ, Porsah Laine, Loius Slipperz and Paula.
With the addition of new drummer Hi-Hat in 2007 and a complete rework of their sound the band have released a press release stating they are getting ready to step up and tour a new album which will be released in early 2008.

Style

Downsyde's music is derived from a combination of regular hip hop beats, as well as Middle Eastern, Aboriginal, South American sounds. Unlike most hip hop groups, Downsyde uses live instruments played by 'Cheeky' (bass) and 'Hi-Hat'(drums). They also use digital music to incorporate salsa flutes, middle eastern organs and orchestral strings into their music. Their influences have come from artists such as N.W.A., Nas, DJ Q-bert, Dynamite MC and DJ Craze. Their live show is reputed to be one of the best in Australian Hip-hop.

Downsyde Logo

Members

★ Optamus - MC

★ Dazastah - MC

★ Dyna-mikes - MC

★ Armee - decks

★ Hi-Hat - drums/percussion

★ Cheeky - Bass/sampler/keys

Discography

Albums

Singles

Awards/Nominations

★ 2007 WAMi Awards - Winner - Best Urban Music / Hip Hop Act

★ 2006 WAMi Awards - Winner - Best Urban Music Act

★ 2005 WAMi Awards - Winner - Best Urban Music Act

★ 2005 WAMi Awards - Winner - Best Live Electronic Act

★ 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards - Nominee - Best Album - ''Land of the Giants''

★ 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards - Nominee - Best Single - "Gifted Life"

★ 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards - Nominee - Best Australian Hip Hop Act

★ 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards - Winner - Best Debut Artist

★ 2003 WAMi Awards - Winner - Most Popular Original Local Album - ''Land of the Giants''

★ 2003 WAMi Awards - Winner - Most Popular Local Original Music Video - "El Questro"

★ 2003 WAMi Awards - Winner - Most Popular Local Original Urban Music Act

★ 2002 Australian Dance Music Awards - Nominee - Best Australian Hip-Hop act

Major Event Appearances

★ Big Day Out Perth 2002

★ Salty & Delicious 2002

★ Breakfest 2002

★ YAC It Up 2002

★ Big Day Out Gold Coast 2003

★ Big Day Out Melbourne 2003

★ Homebake 2003

★ St Kilda Festival 2003

★ COSmonautical 2001, 2003

★ Byron Bay Blues & Roots Festival 2003

★ Margaret River Masters Concert - 2001, 2003

★ Grandmaster Flash - main support - Perth May 2003

★ Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay July 2003

★ Winter Beats, Jindabyne August 2003

★ Winter Rock-It special event w/Michael Franti & Spearhead August 2003

★ Big Day Out National Tour 2004

★ Mainbreak Masters Concert, Margaret River 2005

★ Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay 2005

★ Come Together Festival, Luna Park Sydney 2006

★ Rollercoaster Festival, Mandurah December 2006

External links

★ Downsyde Official Site

★ Downsyde At Obese Records

★ Downsyde Official Myspace