Def Wish Cast
Encyclopedia
Def Wish Cast are an Australian hip hop
group originally from around Penrith
, Sydney
. Currently they reside in a few areas around the City of Sydney
.
group that asserts itself as founders of Australian hip hop, “having created something localized that was revered and is now mythologized.” The group also states its hip hop credentials through its lyrics, rapping that they are “always hardcore/ ‘cos hardcore means true to the music” DJ Vame stated that being “true to the music” is shown by Def Wish Cast’s faithfulness to the “original instruments” of hip-hop: two turntables and a microphone. Originally, Def Wish Cast was composed of MCs Simon Bottle (aka Def Wish), Pablo Chiacchio (aka Die C), Paul Westgate (aka Sereck) and featured turntablism
by DJ Vame.
DWC promote Australian culture by not only explicitly naming local suburbs of Sydney, but also by rapping in an exaggerated Australian accent with “broad, bent, nasal Aussie syllables.” Their distinct Australian sound helped gain the crew notoriety both locally and, to an extent, internationally. Def Wish Cast embrace not only the music, but other elements of the hip hop culture including graffiti art. Although characterized by the main elements of hip hop, Def Wish Cast have in their own way redefined the commonly perceived African American culture. They see hip hop as not a black thing, but as Sereck says "it's our thing". In their recordings this group takes the elements of hip hop and applys them to the local Australian scene. Moreover, Sereck "reveres [African American originators] but has "constructed the identity and authenticity he craves on a model learned from hip-hop". For this, Def Wish Cast represents Aussie hip hop in a global market.
In 1990 the group begun performing onstage, and in 1991 they signed a record deal with Random Records. In 1992, Def Wish Cast released a run of 500 four track vinyl EPs, Mad As A Hatter, which featured MC Def Wish's Australianised ragga
style on the track "Proppa Ragga" (which lated appeared on the compilation album 15.Oz Vinyl in 2004). "Proppa Ragga" was the first Australian hip hop track to receive international recognition, albeit at Norway
, coming in at number 2 on its NRK
's Hip Hop show (hosted by Tommy Tee
). In 2007, a copy of Mad As A Hatter sold on eBay
to a German bidder for more than A$430.
Def Wish Cast then went on to release one of the first full length Australian hip hop albums, Knights of the Underground Table
in 1993. Only the Sound Unlimited
LP A Postcard From The Edge Of The Under-Side came before it, which was released on a major label, CBS Records
. Def Wish Cast then independently toured Australia, becoming the first Australian hip hop group to tour nationally.
After limited commercial success, in 1995 DJ Vame moved to Melbourne, leaving the group in hiatus for almost a decade. During this period, Def Wish, Die C and Sereck pursued other interests. MC Def Wish concentrated on his band "The Quickness".
In 1996, Sereck examined the Sydney hip hop culture in the first Australian hip hop documentary, Basic Equipment. The documentary was made by Paul Fenech
(creator of SBS' Pizza
series) and narrated by Sereck. It featured MC Trey
, Def Wish Cast, DJ Bonez
, DJ Askm Mistery and Wizdm from Brethren
and more. The 28 minute program wasn't aired until the following year. Sereck founded a record label of the same name following the airing of the documentary, and also united artists from Sydney's hip hop scene to form the Basic Equipment Crew. The collective includes DJ Sing, Frequency Unknown, Sleek the Elite and DJ Vame, among others.
Def Wish Cast reunited briefly in 1997 to record and contribute the track "Hear My Raw" for the international compilation Bomb Worldwide. The album was released through the San Francisco label, Bomb Records. The new track drifted in style from classic DWC releases.
Due to a very small market for Australian urban music at that time, limited commercial response to their first album and the absence of DJ Vame, Def Wish Cast did not record again as a group for almost decade. Since officially re-uniting in 2002, DJ Vame has been replaced by DJ Murda One. Members Def Wish and Sereck contributed solo tracks to the Airheads Two - Australian Beats & Rhymes compilation in 2005. The following year, the group released their second LP The Legacy Continues..., 14 years after their debut. Whilst never gaining the commercial success of Sound Unlimited, 1200 Techniques
or Hilltop Hoods
, Def Wish Cast remain a vital part of Australian hip hop
history.
Australian hip hop
Australian hip hop music began in the early 1980s; originally it was primarily influenced by hip hop music and culture imported via radio and television from the United States of America. However, since the 1990s, a distinctive local style has developed. Australian hip hop is an underground music...
group originally from around Penrith
Penrith, New South Wales
Penrith is a suburb in western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Penrith is located west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Penrith...
, Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. Currently they reside in a few areas around the City of Sydney
City of Sydney
The City of Sydney is the Local Government Area covering the Sydney central business district and surrounding inner city suburbs of the greater metropolitan area of Sydney, Australia...
.
Biography
Def Wish Cast are an Australian hip hopAustralian hip hop
Australian hip hop music began in the early 1980s; originally it was primarily influenced by hip hop music and culture imported via radio and television from the United States of America. However, since the 1990s, a distinctive local style has developed. Australian hip hop is an underground music...
group that asserts itself as founders of Australian hip hop, “having created something localized that was revered and is now mythologized.” The group also states its hip hop credentials through its lyrics, rapping that they are “always hardcore/ ‘cos hardcore means true to the music” DJ Vame stated that being “true to the music” is shown by Def Wish Cast’s faithfulness to the “original instruments” of hip-hop: two turntables and a microphone. Originally, Def Wish Cast was composed of MCs Simon Bottle (aka Def Wish), Pablo Chiacchio (aka Die C), Paul Westgate (aka Sereck) and featured turntablism
Turntablism
Turntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a DJ mixer.The word 'turntablist' was coined in 1995 by DJ Babu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer...
by DJ Vame.
DWC promote Australian culture by not only explicitly naming local suburbs of Sydney, but also by rapping in an exaggerated Australian accent with “broad, bent, nasal Aussie syllables.” Their distinct Australian sound helped gain the crew notoriety both locally and, to an extent, internationally. Def Wish Cast embrace not only the music, but other elements of the hip hop culture including graffiti art. Although characterized by the main elements of hip hop, Def Wish Cast have in their own way redefined the commonly perceived African American culture. They see hip hop as not a black thing, but as Sereck says "it's our thing". In their recordings this group takes the elements of hip hop and applys them to the local Australian scene. Moreover, Sereck "reveres [African American originators] but has "constructed the identity and authenticity he craves on a model learned from hip-hop". For this, Def Wish Cast represents Aussie hip hop in a global market.
In 1990 the group begun performing onstage, and in 1991 they signed a record deal with Random Records. In 1992, Def Wish Cast released a run of 500 four track vinyl EPs, Mad As A Hatter, which featured MC Def Wish's Australianised ragga
Ragga
-Origins:Ragga originated in Jamaica during the 1980s, at the same time that electronic dance music's popularity was increasing globally. One of the reasons for ragga's swift propagation is that it is generally easier and less expensive to produce than reggae performed on traditional musical...
style on the track "Proppa Ragga" (which lated appeared on the compilation album 15.Oz Vinyl in 2004). "Proppa Ragga" was the first Australian hip hop track to receive international recognition, albeit at Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, coming in at number 2 on its NRK
Norsk Rikskringkasting
The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation , which is usually known as NRK, is the Norwegian government-owned radio and television public broadcasting company, and the largest media organisation in Norway...
's Hip Hop show (hosted by Tommy Tee
Tommy Tee
Tommy Flaaten , best known by his stage name Tommy Tee, is a Norwegian record producer, rapper, broadcaster, record executive, concert promoter and magazine publisher. He is known as the godfather of Norwegian hip hop. Tee owns the label Tee Productions, which is located in Oslo, Norway and is...
). In 2007, a copy of Mad As A Hatter sold on eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
to a German bidder for more than A$430.
Def Wish Cast then went on to release one of the first full length Australian hip hop albums, Knights of the Underground Table
Knights of the Underground Table
Knights of the Underground Table is the debut album by the Australian hip hop group Def Wish Cast. It was released in 1993 on CD and cassette by Random Records. The album was recorded in St Clair in Western Sydney. Group members Def Wish and Sereck designed the Def Wish Cast logo that appears on...
in 1993. Only the Sound Unlimited
Sound Unlimited
Sound Unlimited, formerly known as Sound Unlimited Posse and Westside Posse, was an Australian hip hop group from Sydney, New South Wales and the first Australian hip hop act signed to a major label during the 1990s...
LP A Postcard From The Edge Of The Under-Side came before it, which was released on a major label, CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
. Def Wish Cast then independently toured Australia, becoming the first Australian hip hop group to tour nationally.
After limited commercial success, in 1995 DJ Vame moved to Melbourne, leaving the group in hiatus for almost a decade. During this period, Def Wish, Die C and Sereck pursued other interests. MC Def Wish concentrated on his band "The Quickness".
In 1996, Sereck examined the Sydney hip hop culture in the first Australian hip hop documentary, Basic Equipment. The documentary was made by Paul Fenech
Paul Fenech
Paul Fenech is a film maker, television and film actor and writer from Sydney, Australia, best known for his role in Pizza and Swift and Shift Couriers .-Career:...
(creator of SBS' Pizza
Pizza (TV series)
Pizza is an Australian black comedy television series on the Australian television network, SBS. It has also spun off a feature length movie in 2003, and in 2004 released a highlights video/DVD which also included previously unshown footage and a schoolies exposé theatre show entitled "Fat Pizza"...
series) and narrated by Sereck. It featured MC Trey
MC Trey
MC Trey or Trey is a Fijian-Australian rapper, vocalist and hip-hop activist. She was nominated as one of Sydney's Top 10 Creative Innovators in the field of music and is a member of ARIA nominated band, Foreign Heights....
, Def Wish Cast, DJ Bonez
DJ Bonez
DJ Bonez is a hip hop DJ and producer, originally from Sydney, New South Wales and currently based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
, DJ Askm Mistery and Wizdm from Brethren
Brethren (Australian group)
Brethren are one of the longest-serving hip hop crews in Australia, celebrating 20 years in 2009. The group comprises Matthew Peet aka “Mistery” and Claude Rodriguez aka Wizdm....
and more. The 28 minute program wasn't aired until the following year. Sereck founded a record label of the same name following the airing of the documentary, and also united artists from Sydney's hip hop scene to form the Basic Equipment Crew. The collective includes DJ Sing, Frequency Unknown, Sleek the Elite and DJ Vame, among others.
Def Wish Cast reunited briefly in 1997 to record and contribute the track "Hear My Raw" for the international compilation Bomb Worldwide. The album was released through the San Francisco label, Bomb Records. The new track drifted in style from classic DWC releases.
Due to a very small market for Australian urban music at that time, limited commercial response to their first album and the absence of DJ Vame, Def Wish Cast did not record again as a group for almost decade. Since officially re-uniting in 2002, DJ Vame has been replaced by DJ Murda One. Members Def Wish and Sereck contributed solo tracks to the Airheads Two - Australian Beats & Rhymes compilation in 2005. The following year, the group released their second LP The Legacy Continues..., 14 years after their debut. Whilst never gaining the commercial success of Sound Unlimited, 1200 Techniques
1200 Techniques
1200 Techniques were an Australian hip hop group. They formed in 1997 and released two LPs before going on hiatus in 2005.-Biography:The group was formed in 1997, starting out as DJ Peril and brothers Nfamas and Kabba, soon after Peril's brother Kemstar joined and together they wrote many of the...
or Hilltop Hoods
Hilltop Hoods
The Hilltop Hoods are an ARIA Award winning Australian hip hop group, from Adelaide, South Australia. Their members are MCs Suffa , MC Pressure , DJ Debris and formerly DJ Next. They have been at the centre of the Australian hip hop scene for the better part of two decades, originally forming back...
, Def Wish Cast remain a vital part of Australian hip hop
Australian hip hop
Australian hip hop music began in the early 1980s; originally it was primarily influenced by hip hop music and culture imported via radio and television from the United States of America. However, since the 1990s, a distinctive local style has developed. Australian hip hop is an underground music...
history.
Albums and EPs
- Mad As A HatterMad As A HatterMad As A Hatter is the debut EP by Australian hip hop group Def Wish Cast. It was released in 1992 on vinyl by Random Records. All production and turntablism is by DJ Vame, except "Proppa Ragga", which was produced by DJ Sing...
- Random (1992) - Knights of the Underground TableKnights of the Underground TableKnights of the Underground Table is the debut album by the Australian hip hop group Def Wish Cast. It was released in 1993 on CD and cassette by Random Records. The album was recorded in St Clair in Western Sydney. Group members Def Wish and Sereck designed the Def Wish Cast logo that appears on...
- Random (1993) - The Legacy Continues... - HydrofunkHydrofunk RecordsHydrofunk Records is an independent Australian hip hop record label that represents a number of Australian acts including the Resin Dogs and Def Wish Cast.-History:...
(2006)
Singles
- "A.U.S.T." - Random (1993)
- "Allstars" - Hydrofunk (2006)
- "DunProppa" - MGM&Creative Vibes (2011)
Compilations
- "Hear My Roar", Bomb Worldwide - Bomb Records (1997)
- "Proppa Ragga", 15.Oz Vinyl: 15 Years Of Australian Hip Hop On Vinyl - Crookneck Records (2004)
- "Allstars", Bra BoysBra BoysThe Bra Boys is an Australian surf gang founded and based in Maroubra, an eastern suburb of Sydney, New South Wales. Dating back to the 1990s, the gang has gained notoriety through violent clashes with members of the public and police...
: Music From The Film - Sony BMG (2007)
Guest Appearances & Contributions
- "Boogie Boy", Def Wish & DJ Sing (Feat. Tom Thum) - Airheads Two - Australian Beats And Rhymes (2005)
- "It's Only Right", 13th Son (Feat. Sereck on backing vocals) - Airheads Two - Australian Beats And Rhymes (2005)
- "Too Damn Long", Sereck - Airheads Two - Australian Beats And Rhymes (2005)
Production
- "Wattz A Kila?", Kilawattz (DJ Vame, production) - Basic Equipment (1998)
- "The Last One", Dope Runner (DJ Vame, production) - Basic Equipment (1998)
- "Flow", Brethren (Sereck, production) - Basic Equipment (1998)
- "Nothins gonna stop me - 13th Son (Sereck Production) - (2001)
- "By The Wayside", 13th Son (Sereck, production) - Culture Of Kings Volume 2 (2002)