KOOLISM not performing at That Festival in Cabarita Beach

It is with great disappointment that Koolism will not be performing at That Festival in Cabarita Beach this Saturday, due to issues beyond control of the festival management and Koolism.
However we wish everybody a great day, and don't forget to slip slop slap.

Breakdance 3: Electric Boogalee

You have heard the tune (well, I hope you have!), now watch the visuals. Just a little something I put together quickly at home. The idea came to me when I was half asleep. When most of my ideas come.

So yeah... watch me re-live my underage nightclub days by bringing back the funk. Owww!

October 30 - salute the big fella, JMJ!

JMJ til Infinity

You know when people say, "Here is a group that needs no introduction"? Well, that couldn't be more true when it comes to RUN-DMC & Jam Master Jay. Seriously, if you don't know who they are or what this trio has achieved - please do yourself a favour and Google that sh*t.

On October 30th 2002. RUN-DMC's superstar DJ, Jam Master Jay, was murdered in a recording studio in his beloved New York borough, Queens. It was a shock to the music industry, especially to the hip hop community.

In honour of Jam Master Jay and the anniversary of his death, we created this song in loving memory of him and his work.

DOWNLOAD HERE

This tune won't be on our upcoming album, 'The 'Umu'. It's an exclusive track for you and yours to enjoy right now. Spread the word and love.

Full Noise Festival Update!

Click image for closer inspection yo...

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. He is From Pluto

If you have been following the Tweets, you would have known that I (Hau) was in Melbourne last week to work on 'Detox'... oh, I mean, 'The 'Umu', with Daniel. It's getting there, folks, it's getting there. You know how the saying goes: "Good things come to those who wait" (Betcha Dre uses that same excuse...haha)

Daniel and I were working hard in the Dojo. Created a few new songs and finished off some others. I think people will be ready for this because people are looking for a change. something unique. I feel this album will offer that. ANYWAY...

Being we have a lot of friends, we try and get them involved. Whether it be just hanging out, having a few drinks or even just some good ol' heart to heart. One chap popped in to do some recording and add his little pizzazz to the Koolism sound. Our mate, Plutonic Lab, stopped by with his black-belt drumming skills to lay some rhythms in the Dojo. Boy, that dude is talented. 

Click right HERE for more pics from the day.

I can't wait for you guys to hear what he did on this album. Stay locked and keep the faith, my people.

All Praises Due to the Rhythm Gods

What can you do when you are lacking inspiration? Read a book? Take drugs (however, we do not condone that)? Call up you're lady friend? Yeah... guess you could do that. But your boys look to a higher source.

In this video footage taken in the infamous Dojo studios, you can see Daniel giving praises and homage to the gods of rhythm in order to push us through a creative barrier. Some may say it's some sort of black magic or voodoo. Call it what you want, though. This is how we get it going.

(click image to see the line-up and ticket details)

Afternoon, blog crew!

Here is another festival we will be playing at over the spring season. Looks like another top event. Be sure to grab your tickets, they're on sale now! I think it's the first one of this festival so it will be an honour to christian it. Haha. Blam!

Townsville Crew - I See You!

Townsville blog crew stand up!

It's been a while since your boys have hit far North Queensland. Looking forward to it, too. Especially playing long side Low Budget & KillaQueenz. Should be a good night.

I'm really interested in seeing Empire of the Sun perform. Their videos, music and style are something else. I mean, I probably wouldn't buy their music, but I do appreciate their vision. They're pretty much killing it at the moment. 

Lead singer, Luke Steele, is on Jay-Z's new album, The Blueprint 3. I mean, Jay-Z?!?! C'mooon man. You're pretty much set when you've been co-signed by one of the biggest names in not only hip hop, but music in general. How did Hov hear 'em in the first place? On an episode of 'Entourage', that's how. Bloody hell. Can it get much bigger???

But hold up! The merry-go-round doesn't stop there folks. Cos not only has Mr. S Dot co-signed 'em, but Martin Louie the King Jr, has also given them the royal thumbs up too. Uhuh... Kanye West has posted one of their videos up on his blog. Wow. That's some crazy endorsements right there.

So why the love? Dunno exactly. But I'm sure it has to do with the novelty factor. To Jay and Ye, I'm sure they are a fresh and exciting sound. And look. Yeah... definitely 'look'. Hehe. But it's a win / win for everyone here. We got two of the biggest names in music recognising some top local talent and we have some local talent reaching out to the world. 

Do I think Jay and Ye would work with an Australian hip hop artist? Hmmm... the likely answer would be 'no'. I reckon they could/ would work with an Australian hip hop producer though. I just think the accent clash would be too great. And you know, America have most of the best MCs there (I know some of you may disagree with that one) so it may be the case of 'trying to sell ice back to the Eskimos'. But then again, they did work with MIA and Jay did sign Lady Sovereign to Def Jam once (how did that go, Jay?). So... meh. I hope I get proved wrong.

Far out... I was meant to be blogging about the festival. Ahhh well. You can see the pic. Be there or be square. It's the ROC!

Stage Presence

For those who were fortunate to catch the tour we did with our boys (and girl) The Herd - we hoped you had a top time. I know we did. But for those who missed it (for some reason I wouldn't know where to begin), here is a taste of what you missed out on. Well, the Koolism part of it anyway.

This was the first show of the five city tour. It was shot at The Prince of Wales (I see you, my Melbourne crew!) by a good mate of mine, Alvin, and his boys, Johnny and Mika. Collectively they go by the name of Vile Vortices (check them out here: BOOM! And here: POW!). So a big thumbs up to Alvin and the boys for doing their damn thing. Bo!

So grab yourself a cup of tea, a couple of scones and watch your boys get busy on stage.

RIP MJ

The Smooth Operator

"I hate to brag... but DAMN I'm Good!"

When it came to looking fly when rhyming some of the most incredible lyrics heard in hip hop during the late 80's & early 90's, you couldn't go passed this man right here. The man that represented Brooklyn to the fullest and yes, gave Jay-Z his early shine. King Asiatic Nobody's Equal. That's right, you little whipper snappers. Big Daddy Kane. One of the golden era's most prominent MCs.

Now this 'Inspirations' entry is more mine than Daniel's (even though he, too, is a BDK fan). As a little tacker, I remember reading through the credits/ shouts in the old Public Enemy album jackets (ahhh...the good old days) and seeing names of artists I wasn't too familiar with. I was so intrigued. Like the little rap nerd I was. And to some degree, still am. Haha.

I saw names such as Biz Markie, Stetsasonic and Major Force (big up my Nippon crew!). I saw BDK listed in there. Then I started seeing photos of him and ads for his debut album, 'Long Live the Kane', when I first started buying/ racking 'Fresh' and 'Word Up' magazines ("Salt n Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine").

Then one great afternoon, my sister brought home 'Long Live the Kane'. Now keep in mind, where I was living at that time, it was so not New York. Haha. Not even London or even Sydney. So to find this in my town was like coming across a wallet on the road that had money in it. Haha (not that I would take it, of course).

So anyway, this bloke, for me, was the epitome of an MC. He had the look (suits and all), the voice and the lyrics. Hell, he even had the mad DJ (Mister Cee), the mad dancers (Skoob & Scrap Lover), and the maaad posse (The Juice Crew - Marley Marl, MC Shan, Masta Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap & Roaxanne Shante). The complete package. Bam!

So in honour of this great Brooklynite, we salute Big Daddy Kane and his legacy. But hold up - dude is still going hard so I don't want to seem like he has left us or anything. Haha.

Long Live the Kane, indeed.

No Business Like Snow Business

Just putting up a pic of my new backyard. Where to put the pool? Hmmm...


Click right HERE for the Camera Phone Diaries

Balls Deep in Falls Creek

What's up blog massive...

Back from Falls Creek, VIC. This was my (Hau) second time there. The first time as part of Katalyst's entourage in 2007, this time as Koolism. Falls Creek is a beautiful place but seriously, as a Polynesian... it's not in the blood to be in a place so cold! I guess that theory is flawed when you have a lot of Islanders that live in Salt Lake City, Utah. Oh well...

Anyway, the show. Hmmm. Uneventful. Big up the crew who did enjoy themselves though. But yeah, the sound was pretty bad (even though the sound guy was a top bloke) and the connection between us and the peoples wasn't really there. Haha. But hey, we're doing a show in the snow fields... can't complain about that. Like to send universal shouts to Motley and Shane who performed before us (and seemed to have experienced the same thing we did).

OK... snowboarding. If you have been follwing the tweets, you will know I have been banging on about it. Haha. I've said it before, but I'll say it again: I now know why my white brothers get so excited about the sport. It's maaad. Really enjoyed ourselves. And if I must say, we did alright for a couple of newbies. Think I'm going to be the first Tongan representative at the next winter games. On some ol' Cool Runnings sh!t. Haha...

Big up the whole Invada crew: Katalyst, Ingrid, Spacek, RuCL, Stu One and Stu Two, Mista Rex (thanks for the snowboard lessons too, bredda) and my slope partner, Ian. Also thumbs up to the snow massive in Falls Creek. Keep it frosty.

For more pics, click right HERE