Hilltop Hoods

Hilltop Hoods are one of Australia’s most influential hip-hop acts, originating from Blackwood, Adelaide, in 1994. The group was initially formed by MCs Suffa (Matthew Lambert) and Pressure (Daniel Smith), with DJ Debris (Barry Francis) joining in 1999, after the departure of original DJ Next (Ben Hare).

Their musical journey began with the release of their debut EP Back Once Again in 1997, followed by their first full album A Matter of Time in 1999. However, it was their 2003 album The Calling that propelled them to national prominence, thanks to hits like “The Nosebleed Section” and “Dumb Enough,” both of which earned spots on the prestigious Triple J Hottest 100.

In 2006, the group earned their first ARIA Award for Best Independent Release with their album The Hard Road. This success was followed by more chart-topping albums, including State of the Art (2009), Drinking from the Sun (2012), Walking Under Stars (2014), and The Great Expanse (2019), all of which reached number one on the ARIA Albums Chart.

Known for their high-energy performances, Hilltop Hoods have become staples at major Australian festivals and have toured internationally. With a record 23 songs featured in the Triple J Hottest 100, their music, which blends deep lyrical insights with cutting-edge production, has firmly established them as icons in the Australian music landscape.