dizz1

Melbourne hip hop producer Dizz1 makes global impact

It’s maybe surprising that it has taken Australian hip hop producers so long to crack the international market. Even though Australian rapping has always been regarded as perennially uncool globally, there’s no reason this discrimination should apply to Aussie beats. It’s not like Australian producers are fixated on didgeridoo and co’eeee samples.

Australian producer and living legend M-Phazes recently left his mark on global hip-hop history, when Eminem handpicked his beat for the Stan sequel Bad Guy. It seems Australian producers are finally getting the international recognition they deserve.

Melbourne-based producer Dizz1 is known locally, with radio play from Dom Alessio on Triple J. But don’t expect a 360 clone.  It’s clear his appeal is international. He’s signed to independent label Tru Thoughts, operating out of Brighton, UK. Dizz1 has been acknowledged by the gatekeeper of cool hip hop production, Flying Lotus, with a spin on his BBC 1 Radio residency. “From Detroit to Australia” says rapper Frank Knitt on opening track Get ‘Em Up.

This is a progressive hip hop piece very much in the Flume vein. Call it trip hop, electronic, wonky, glitch hop or crunk. There’s synths and irregular time signatures. It’s snappy trap with a deep engagement with modern dance elements. And it’s very much the order of the day. Get ‘Em Up is a mellow trap piece with 80’s synths and an awesomely composed chorus. Higher is deep and distorted with a dancehall/grime vibe. What You Want is pure electronica, with vocals from UK duo Killbot Kindergarten. The EP is really only a taste tester. The LP promises a wider variety of sounds and some rapping from household names, so keep an eye out for In Sickness and In Health, set to drop later this month.

Dizz1 is a home grown producer making a thinking man’s hip hop. Definitely one to watch.