Downsyde - More than just bling-bling

Downsyde wise-up as they make it to almost ten years together. Emma Sharp caught up with MC Optamus about hip hop, hoes and a social conscious.

After a huge insurgence of Australian flavoured hip hop a few years ago that saw underground and unrecognised crews like the Hilltop Hoods and The Herd become overnight super stars, the scene has finally found its place in Australian mainstream music.

Downsyde’s MC Optamus laments the fact that it’s taken big music organisations this long to acknowledge them, and that even now, he’s not sure they know what they’re dealing with.

“It’s a bit of a shame. A lot of these organisations have been based in indie rock and it’s not like we’d had a heap of support – maybe they just weren’t aware of the grass roots. But now it’s gone from there being no support to there being this big “Urban” label that lumps some diverse music into one group,” MC Optamus says.

His remedy: “It’s time for these organisations to have a big Hip Hop award, they can have grassroots [awards] for folk and blues, but nothing for hip hop which is huge.”

Not that they’re ungrateful for the recognition though, with the obligatory “it’s good to be recognised,” after 2 WAMI awards. But, it’s achieving the personal goals, like playing a good show and making a good record that get the crew excited, and working with heroes is a bonus.

“We’ve just done a song with Guru from Gangster which we’re really excited about; he’s someone I’ve always been a fan of and it was incredible to get studio time with him.”

That track will make its way onto the new album, due out in March next year.

While they’re on a break between writing and recording they’ve decided not to spend all their time soaking up the rays on Perth’s coast, but instead hit the road on a national tour.

Taking in dates from July 21 - August 13, Downsyde are offering young crews, MCs and DJs a chance to open the show for them.

MC Optamus likes my description of this project as a “non-televised hip hop Australian Idol” but insists it’s the best way to hear “what’s hot”.

“We came up with the idea to do it because I wanted to give crews an opportunity to send us our music and that was the whole basis behind it. We’ve had lots of emails, going through and choosing the ones where we ‘feel’ the mp3, it’s quite personal, and they get the opportunity and play a set.”

Downsyde isn’t all about tours, recording, award and beers, or the traditional “pimpin’ bling-bling and bitches”. Whether he likes it or not, he and his hip hop colleagues are role models for a generation of fed up youth.

“I was a classic ADD kid who wasn’t good at studying,” MC Optamus says.

“I suppose as a musician playing music and putting out albums there are people listening to it and you can give them guidance.

"I don’t choose to be a role model and I don’t always talk about positive stuff, I still have vices, I still like having a few joints and a beer, I don’t claim to be an angel but I want to be someone who can positively influence people.”

After 10 years together, it seems that Downsyde are leading the way of the hip hop conscience.

That doesn’t mean they won’t party hard next year when they reach that decade milestone.

“We don’t have anything planned yet,” MC Optamus says, “but if you hear about a celebration you’ll know that you were one of the people to plant that in my head.”

Well shucks, I guess I’ll see you at the party then?

‘When the Dust Settles’ national tour

Thurs 21 July- The Zoo Brisbane
Fri 22 July- Miami Tavern Gold Coast
Sat 23 July- Splendour In The Grass Sold Out
Wed 27 July- Hoey Moey Coffs Harbour
Thurs 28 July- Newcastle University Bar On The Hill
Fri 29 July- Annandale Hotel Sydney
Sat 30 July- Caringbah Bizzos Sydney
Sun 31 July- The Roxy Parramatta
Tues 2 August- Macquarie University Sydney Lunchtime performance
Wed 3 August- Lake Jindabyne Hotel
Thurs 4 August- ANU Bar Canberra
Fri 5 August- Preston Hotel Geelong
Sat 6 August- Revolver Upstairs Melbourne
Tues 9 August- Dinner Plain Hotel Mt Hotham
Wed 10 August- Northcote Social Club Melbourne
Thurs 11 August- Sundance Saloon Bendigo
Fri 12 August- Huon Quay Hobart
Sat 13 August- Karova Lounge Ballarat

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